Horse Pregnancy Symptoms: How to Identify Them and Care for Your Mare

Horse pregnancies require careful management and attention. That includes looking for traditional horse pregnancy symptoms or signs of other out-of-the-ordinary conditions that could pose a risk. By noticing these symptoms, you can consult your veterinarian and explore possible treatments. Remaining vigilant during this crucial time helps ensure the health of your mare and her developing foal.

How to Confirm Your Mare’s Pregnancy

If you think your mare might be pregnant, the next step is confirming it with a veterinarian. Confirming the pregnancy early is critical for proper care. Your veterinarian may use various diagnostic tests, including:

• Ultrasound: This is the most common method, allowing for early detection of pregnancy, usually within 14 days after conception.
• Rectal Palpation: Effective after about 30 days, this method enables veterinarians to feel the developing fetus.
• Blood Tests: These tests can confirm pregnancy with accuracy after about 40 days.
• Hormone Testing: Checking for higher-than-normal levels of certain hormones, such as progesterone, can also help confirm your mare’s pregnancy status.

How to Spot Horse Pregnancy Symptoms

It’s possible your mare will experience known horse pregnancy symptoms. Mild symptoms likely do not require any treatment. However, severe symptoms might warrant intervention. Ask your veterinarian for guidance if you notice any symptoms.

• Behavioral Changes: Pregnant mares may show increased affection, isolation, protectiveness, irritability, or aggression. Keep an eye on how your mare interacts with both humans and other horses.
• Physical Changes: You’ll likely notice a change in your mare’s body shape, particularly a rounded belly or changes in their muscle tone. Additionally, some mares develop a more pronounced crest on their neck.
• Weight Gain: This is a natural part of pregnancy. While all mares will gain weight differently, you and your veterinarian should keep track of your mare’s weight throughout pregnancy. A healthy weight is vital for both her and the foal.
• Appetite Changes: Some may eat more than usual, while others might show a decrease in their interest in food. It’s important to ensure she’s getting the nutrients she needs during this time.
• Increased Urination: As the pregnancy progresses, you may notice an increase in urination due to hormonal changes and the growing foal. This is one of the most typical horse pregnancy symptoms and usually not anything to be concerned about.
• Swelling: As your mare’s body prepares for foaling, you may notice some swelling—which can indicate that the time for delivery is approaching.

The Importance of Veterinarian Care During Pregnancy

Regular veterinary care is crucial for your mare and her foal's well-being throughout the pregnancy. Your veterinarian will provide essential monitoring and guidance during each trimester.

• First Trimester (~Days 0-113): In this initial stage, your veterinarian will confirm the pregnancy and start monitoring your mare’s overall health. This includes assessing her body condition, adjusting her diet, and discussing any early horse pregnancy symptoms.
• Second Trimester (~Days 114-225): During the second trimester, you should have check-ups every 2-3 months for your mare. These visits are essential for monitoring the mare's health and fetal development. Your vet will perform ultrasounds to assess the growth of the fetus and ensure everything is progressing normally.
• Third Trimester (~Days 226-Birth): In the final stages of pregnancy, check-ups will happen more often, approximately every 4-6 weeks. This will help assess your mare's readiness for foaling. Your veterinarian will monitor the fetus’s position, check for any signs of distress in the mare, and prepare you for the upcoming delivery.

Benefits of Regular Check-ups During Mare Pregnancy

Monitoring the pregnancy’s progression is just one of many benefits to regular veterinary care. Check-ups serve several other purposes for your pregnant mare’s health, including:

Overall Health

Regular visits allow your veterinarian to identify potential issues early on. For example, infections or nutritional deficiencies can be detected and treated before they become serious problems. The regular monitoring of the growth and development of the fetus is also vital.

Complication Prevention

Detecting complications early can significantly reduce the risks associated with them. Complications can include milk running too early, placental issues, early labor, and potential abortion of the pregnancy. Timely interventions can make all the difference.

Vaccinations and Deworming

Keeping your mare up to date on vaccinations and deworming prevents diseases that could negatively affect her pregnancy. Your veterinarian should establish a vaccination schedule for your mare.

Birth Preparation

Your veterinarian can assess your mare’s readiness for foaling. They should provide you with guidance on what to expect during the birthing process, ensuring you’re prepared to assist if necessary.

Nutritional Management

Your veterinarian will provide guidance about proper nutrition throughout your mare’s pregnancy. They can recommend dietary adjustments and supplements to support her health and the foal's development.

Nutritional Considerations During Your Mare’s Pregnancy

As mentioned, you should be prepared to discuss your pregnant mare’s nutritional needs. Your veterinarian may recommend:

• More Calories: Pregnant mares require more calories to support the growing foal. It's important to gradually increase her caloric intake as her pregnancy progresses. 
• Balanced Diet: A well-rounded, balanced diet that includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals is essential for both the mare's health and the foal's growth. 
• Sufficient Protein: Ensure your mare's diet includes adequate high-quality protein sources, such as alfalfa hay or soybean meal. Protein is essential for muscle and tissue development in the foal.
• Proper Hydration: Ensure your mare always has access to fresh, clean water. Adequate hydration supports overall health and aids digestion, which is particularly important as her appetite changes.
• Quality Forage: Good-quality hay or pasture is essential for providing the necessary fiber in your mare’s diet. Quality forage helps maintain proper digestion and prevents gastrointestinal issues, which can be more common during pregnancy.

How to Help Manage Your Pregnant Mare’s Stress

Pregnancy can be a stressor for certain mares. Managing the stress may be able to help prevent or lessen the prevalence of certain horse pregnancy symptoms, such as irritability. Talk with your veterinarian about whether it is appropriate to incorporate regular, gentle exercise to alleviate your mare’s stress and keep her fit throughout pregnancy. Activities like walking or light riding can sometimes be beneficial.

Additionally, keeping a routine, practicing gentle handling, and providing a well-maintained stable for your mare can lessen her daily stress levels. Use positive reinforcement techniques to create a trusting relationship with your mare, such as rewarding her with treats or affection when she responds positively to handling. If your mare is social, allow her to interact with other people or horses. Moreover, you should minimize unnecessary travel if possible to keep your mare calm and comfortable.

Treatments to Manage Horse Pregnancy Symptoms

If your mare has an at-risk pregnancy or experiences pain, discomfort, or other concerning horse pregnancy symptoms, there are medications available to help. Mixlab can compound these medications if prescribed by your veterinarian.

Consult with your veterinarian to carefully consider the risks and benefits of these treatments, and only use them if absolutely necessary and for the shortest duration possible. For many medications, there is limited information about the potential effects on pregnant mares, and your veterinarian will be your best resource.

Hormonal Medications

• Altrenogest: Often used for at-risk mares during early pregnancy, this medication can help maintain pregnancy by supporting hormonal balance.
• Progesterone: May be prescribed to support pregnancy, especially in mares with a history of reproductive issues.

Anti-anxiety Medications

• Trazodone: This medication can help manage anxiety in pregnant mares, allowing them to remain calm and relaxed.
• Diazepam: Can also be used to reduce anxiety.

Sedatives

These should only be used for severe cases of agitation in your pregnant mare. Your veterinarian may recommend them if the risks outweigh the benefits.

• Acepromazine: Typically used for light sedation.
• Detomidine: A mild standing sedative.
• Xylazine: Effective for short-term sedation.

NSAIDs

• Banamine: Generally safe for one-time dosing to manage your mare’s pain, but chronic use is not recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks to the foal.

Antibiotics

While generally safe, your veterinarian should weigh the benefits versus the risks of using antibiotics during pregnancy.

Other Medications

Your veterinarian may prescribe other medications for prevention or treatment of conditions, such as this medication:

• Domperidone: Safe for pregnant mares and used to prevent fescue toxicosis, a condition linked to certain grasses that can negatively impact pregnancy.

Treatment for Horse Pregnancy Symptoms, at Your Doorstep

We’re here to support you every step of the way as you prepare for the exciting arrival of your mare’s foal. As a full-service equine pharmacy, Mixlab can fill your prescriptions for branded, generic and compounded medications to treat horse pregnancy symptoms, such as altrenogest, progesterone, trazodone, and others. We also have vitamins and supplements to support your horse’s health. Place your order and receive convenient, two-day delivery.