discharge

Question
Hi, We have a mare that is about 13 years old and had her bred a couple of weeks ago.  I have noticed that she has a lot of discharge.  Is this normal or do I need to have her seen.  
This is the second time we've bred her this year and it happened the last time too.  Thank you for your help, Eve

Answer
Dear Eve

Mares have discharge for several different reasons.  It COULD be just her own normal hormones.  You didn't mention if she was bred by AI or live cover and whether or not you had a breeding soundness exam and culture done.  If she was bred by live cover, think about what we teach about human sex. It's no different with horses. Your mare had sex with every mare that stallion has been bred to.  That's why many breeders require a clean culture before a mare comes to be bred to their stallion.  (It's even a good idea with AI because if your mare has an infection you can waste a lot of money trying to bred a mare that won't take.) Your mare COULD have an STD.  She could also have a uterine infection, a hormone imbalance or everything could be WNL (within normal limits).  Have your vet take a look at this mare and do a culture.

Good Luck.

Lynne Curtis Gudes
"Common sense isn't."