Control of Foaling Springfield Farm Co. Waterford, Ireland

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the time of day of parturition of the thoroughbred mare, the factors that affect gestation time and gain an understanding of the frequency of dystocia, placental retention, premature placental separation and contracted tendons and the general health status of foals. It also examined the effect of the gestation time on the health status of the foal and the prevalence of dystocia, premature placental separation, retained placenta and contracted tendons The study examined 588 foalings with 306 being colts and 282 being fillies over a five year period between the years of 2018 to 2022. With 4 stillbirths, 5 mortalities, 22 morbidities and 557 survivals. The majority of births took place between the hours of 21:00 and 04:00. The average gestation period was 343.28 days with the average for colts being 344.8 and for fillies being 341.62. The frequency of dystocia was 8.67%, retained placenta was 5.1%, premature placental separation was 0.85% and for contracted tendons was 4.08%.