Leased broodmare

Question
I have just inspected a broodmare that I have leased for her next foal. I am very hesitant to go ahead with the pregnancy if she is confirmed in foal. To keep this short, this mare has foaled successfully in the past, but this time her stomach muscles are EXTREMELY relaxed. I saw this in a friend's mare one time and the vet said that she could rupture before the foal delivered. If there was ever a candidate for this, I would say she would be it. This is a delicate situation with the breeder and I am considering aborting the foal (under 30 days). Could you give me any information as to whether it is humane to breed a mare in this condition, etc.?

Answer
Hi Sharon,
Since this is such a delicate situation between you and the breeder, you should honestly get the opinion of your vet as to whether or not he/she believes this mare could carry the foal to term without rupturing the prepubic tendon.

One thing you can keep in mind though, is that the more foals a mare has had, the more relaxed her stomach is going to appear.  It doesn't necessarily mean that she is a "good" candidate for rupturing.  That's why I believe an experienced reproductive vet should be consulted before you elect to abort the foal.

My friend's mare ruptured the tendon during delivery, and it was her first foal... she lost both the mare and foal, so a very relaxed belly really isn't a reliable indicator.  ANY mare can rupture, whether it be her first foal or her tenth.  It is a risk breeders take every time they breed a mare.

Now, if with this mare's last foal the tendon was close at that time to rupturing, then I would say she is a good candidate, and I would not consider it humane to have re-bred this mare.

This mare honestly just needs to have a thorough exam by a vet to set your mind at ease.

I wish you the best of luck.
Sandy