Conception issues ...

[Tetrarch 1911]

I have a 6yo TB mare at stud. She cycles perfectly to the day, ovulates, but three seasons later, hasn't taken. She is at a highly professional and reputable stud, and covered by a proven sprint stallion who is very fertile and a good foal-getter. She has been supervised by a highly experienced stud team and veterinary service, so I have no issues there. In fact, after her first two seasons, the stud owner very kindly offered a service to her other (far more expensive!) stallion which I would have loved to use but would normally have been beyond my pocket, at the price of my original stallion of choice. My girl didn't hold to that service, either.

Now, after 30 years of breeding horses and ponies, I know these things happen, and it certainly isn't the end of the world. I will register her with RoR and have some fun with her as she is a lovely sort, so it isn't a disaster. But it would be interesting to hear about anyone else's experiences with this sort of thing. Any thoughts, folks?

 

[JanetGeorge]

Has she had a foal before? Or does she show any cysts on scan? A difficult foaling is probably THE most likely cause for conception problems. There are others - but whether it's worth the necessary investigations is highly debateable if there's another use.

 

[Lisa2manyponies]

how often are they covering her and on what days ?

 

[Tetrarch 1911]

She's a maiden mare. She's been checked for infections and everything they can think of including ovarian systs, and she's in perfect health. Like most commercial studs she's monitored and covered on ovulation, although I think this last time she was covered several times over her season to try and optimise her chances.

She's due to come back in season over the next couple of days so I might just have her covered one last time and then bring her home and scan her here.

Personally I think she's just having too much fun trying to get in foal ...

 

[Alec Swan]

Sometimes, when the supervision is of the highest and focussed standard, and they still won't take, then admitting defeat is the only response.

One suggestion for you. Bring her home and let her run with a colt (anything will do), and see if her first foaling can be achieved. If she's flat-bred, and it sounds as though she is, it will be a bit late to re-cover this time next year, but at least she'll have shown that she can conceive and carry a foal.

It's frustrating, I understand!

Alec.

 

[crabbymare]

best thing to do is speak to a good repro vet. they may suggest one or more drugs together or alone that may help but it would need investigating by a vet that has dealt with mares that are difficult to catch before and knows what may or may not work. the mare I have on loan is kept with one that is not easy but the vet that is there has found a way that works for her and apparantly this year went easily although obviously what works for one would not be any good for another. otherwise as alec said running with a stallion may work but for a tb would give a late foal.

 

[Tetrarch 1911]

I had a word with the equine fertility wallahs who work with the stud, and further investigation would cost me quite a bit, although they assure me they can't find any reason for he not to conceive. I know myself that life is like that sometimes. But thanks for the advice, crabbymare - it is much appreciated!

Alec, I was chatting with the stud and also my Trusty Advisor (he's been breeding TBs and others for half a century and is wise in All Things Horsey), and they suggested the same thing - let nature do the deciding and find a stallion/colt for her to run with. A friend who runs a training stable ran a mare who was a non-breeder with a Section D stallion, and she took first time. She went on to breed a couple of good winners.

I'm not expecting miracles, but it may be worth a try, and I was going to give her the year off after her foaling anyway. She's a nicely-bred mare (By Kyllachy ex a winning mare by Danehill) and I want to achieve a lifetime ambition to breed and run a horse on the flat, but if she doesn't take that's okay - she's with me for life!