Breeding your horse is an exciting journey, but there is more to it than meets the eye, especially when breeding thoroughbreds. At Backstretch Veterinary in Groveland Sherborn, we offer cutting-edge imaging technology to help our veterinarian track the entire gestation process while continuously monitoring your horse's health and providing comprehensive care services. We also provide insemination services for maximum efficiency and accuracy.
Equine Pregnancy
Generally, a mare will carry an infant colt or filly for 11 months. However, this timeline may differ from pregnancy to pregnancy. On average, a mare carries her foal longer than usual when expecting a colt rather than when expecting a filly, and this can vary with each successive gestation period. In most cases, if the newborn arrives before 300 days of development, it does not have enough time to mature and survive outside the womb. Helping a mare carry to full term is one reason why an equine vet is crucial to successful equine breeding.
Pregnancy Monitoring
Our horse care services enable you to track your horse's pregnancy so that if any issues arise, our veterinarian can intervene quickly and ensure a successful outcome. In many cases, foalings are quite simple, but with our specialized monitoring system in place, rest assured that we can manage any equine care situations that may arise unexpectedly.
Breeding Soundness Check
Before breeding your horse, performing a soundness check is critical. Dr. Loheac uses trans-rectal palpation and ultrasound imaging, allowing him to inspect up-close her cervix, uterus, and ovaries. He may also conduct a uterine biopsy, a vaginal speculum exam, and collect samples to check her reproductive system for potential problems.
Artificial Insemination
The artificial insemination process starts with finding a donor and collecting sperm. Dr. Loheac checks that your mare is ovulating, then inserts the semen into the egg inside the horse's uterus using a pipette.
Horse Pregnancy Monitoring
Dr. Loheac provides full-service equine care during your horse's pregnancy. After approximately two to four weeks of insemination, we can tell if your horse is pregnant. After 30 days, he will be able to detect a heartbeat. Finally, after 9 to 19 weeks, he will be able to determine the gender of each fetus.
Contact Backstretch Veterinary in Groveland Sherborn
A mare will usually experience one to two hours of contractions before getting ready to give birth. After the sac breaks, delivery only takes about 30 minutes. Our equine vet can intervene at any time if complications arise. To learn more about our equine breeding services in Groveland Sherborn, call Backstretch Veterinary today at (978) 891-5780.
