As long as a mare is in heat, you can pretty much put the mare and the stud together, and a breeding is going to occur; it is natural. However, seeing results from the breeding can take months, and pregnancy is not always indicated immediately. In fact, most horses will probably not show any signs of pregnancy until the last 2 to 3 months of gestation.
Medical Methods of Determining Horse Pregnancy
The easiest way to determine if a horse is pregnant is to have an equine veterinarian perform an ultrasound scan. Using sound waves, the ultrasound equipment is placed over the abdomen to determine if intrauterine sounds can be heard. If intrauterine sounds are identified, an image will be depicted on a computer screen, and photographic image of the fetal horse can be seen.
While this is the most full-proof way to determine if a mare is pregnant, it is a very costly procedure. On average, an ultrasound scan for horse pregnancy can cost anywhere from $300 to $800, depending upon how invasive and detailed the procedure needs to be. Some veterinarians will actually make house calls to perform the ultrasound, while some equine veterinarians prefer a visit to their office.
Visual Appearance of Horse Pregnancy
Naturally, the abdomen of the mare is going to begin to grow significantly as the fetal horse goes through various developmental stages; however, the visual appearance of pregnancy does not appear immediately. The physical stature of the horse will determine at point of gestation the appearance of pregnancy becomes obvious.
If a mare is built of with a stout, large-framed figure, it is likely that no abdominal enlargement will be seen until 2 to 3 months before delivery. If, however, the mare is somewhat slim figured, then the physical observance of pregnancy may be seen as early as 4 to 5 months into the pregnancy. The visual appearance of pregnancy is all dependent upon the physical build of the mare and how much weight she gains as a result of the pregnancy.
Nipple Enlargement and Discharge
As the mare comes to the end of her pregnancy, a horse owner may begin to notice that the nipples of the mare begin to enlarge, which occurs as a result of the production of colostrum for nourishment of the foal.
In the non-pregnant mare, the nipples are typically very small and cannot be seen as she walks. In the pregnant mare, on the other hand, the nipple sac may enlarge and hang so much that it may be visible from either behind the mare or on visual scan of the side of the mare.
As the time of delivery approaches, many horse owners will notice that the tips of the nipples begin to cover with a waxy consistency, which is part of the mare’s preparation for delivery of milk and colostrum to her foal.
Jennifer Williams - Jennifer is a full-time mother with a passion for writing and is currently a medical transcription student at Everett Community College. ...
