live covering mares

Question
QUESTION: Hi, My mare has been at stud for 10 weeks and has not taken.She has been injected twice and covered and not taken. Now she has just been covered for the third time, they only covered her once, is this normal? How many times should she have been covered if not?

ANSWER: Hi Alex,
         Has the stud done any tests for infections or lack or fertility? If not, you may want to have a swab done on the mare to make sure that she does not have anything that is preventing her from getting in foal.

As long as the stud knows when her heat is, then there should only be one or two coverings within 36-48 hours. More frequent coverings can cause an infection.

Lisa

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, the stud carried out tests for infection and nothing was found. As for the other test, she had a foal at 4 and is now nine, is it worth trying?
One other thing, is it to late to try covering her again if she has not taken?


Answer
Hi Alex,
         While it may be a bit more difficult, unless there are any issues with her, it should not be impossible to get her in foal. You do need to decide how much money and time that you want to invest into it. Have you thought about breeding her using AI if that is allowed for your breed? I would bring her home for the year and start again next year. This will give you a chance to find out why she is not taking and if AI would be better for you.

Good luck with your mare :-).

Lisa