Wait for next Spring or try again?

[clivers]

Hi guys,

I purchased an older mare (18) this spring hoping to bring her back into work and compete her this summer in eventing. Unfortunately, although she's lovely, she's not as sound as I'd hoped, so we decided to breed her instead with the goal of producing an eventer. She's had two foals in the past, last one in 2007.

We bred Polly to Formula One about 17 days ago and checked her today. It's not clear if there is a pregnancy as she has multiple cysts anyway and her tone was so/so despite being on Regumate. Vet thinks there's about a 50% chance she's pregnant.

We've decided to recheck in about 10 days (day 27) and look for a heartbeat. Until then she's staying on the Regumate.

If she's not pregnant by the end of July we have to decide whether to re-breed her in August or wait until next Spring.

WWYD and why? Breed an 18y/o mare in August, or a 19 y/o in April/may? We are using shipped semen (fresh cooled) and have very good grazing, even in late summer.

Thanks for the input!

[Iron Horse Farm]

I vote for one more trythis year if she checks open. Those cysts won't be any smaller next year!

[goodmorning]

You are in Ontario? I would re-breed, things don't always happen on the first try, and if your climate is hospitable for a foal in July, you should be fine....on the other hand, starting early next year could land you with a foal when it is rather cold. I also think it is easier to get them in foal a bit later when they *should* have slightly shorter heat cycles. If she is older and her tone isn't that great, I might be inclined to give her oxytocin or possibly flush if she is having fluid retention problems.

[pintopiaffe]

Boy, I dunno where in Ontario you are, but if your weather has been anything like ours here in the Northest-eastest of the Norteast US, then it is just about *starting* to be breeding season.

In May mares were too busy trying to stay warm to even think about regular estrous. June they had their first good 'cleaning out' cycle, which brings us to now.

I have had several older mares have August, Sept, and even Oct & Nov foals, and that was *without* any chemical intervention. (the Nov was a mare who showed up pg on the us in June, was turned out with hubby and then obviously rebred on her own.) but my point is that provided culture/cytology indicated all was well, then it's definitely not too late.

I like fall foals best here in Maine. Bugs are gone, days are warm, no spring mud. It screws up Inspections or showing on the line, but... the FOALS are happier by far.

[clivers]

Thanks for the opinions guys! Very helpful!

[grayfox]

I would definately try again. She's not getting any younger.

[spacely]

Given her age, I would keep trying, even if it means an August foal.

[nsm]

I agree with everyone-- I would try again. Good luck-

Nancy

[VirginiaBred]

Definitely try again.

[cyriz's mom]

I personally wouldn't wait 10 days to check her again. I'd check her again in a few days...see if any of those "cysts" are growing and if not, then hopefully you can catch her on the coming cycle or if you haven't done a culture and cytology, get one done and deal with what you find now. If you wait 10 days and she's not pregnant, you've missed a cycle and even if you short cycle, you've still probably lost a couple of weeks. JMHO Good luck. It seems to be one of "those" years this year.

[europa]

Didn't anyone ever let you in on the biggest breeder secret.......when you are at the absolute last time you will try before giving up they get pregnant! ;)

[carolprudm]

Did you have the vet check her for ovulation post breeding and also fluid?

You might consider a Caslick also

[Foxtrot's]

I have a foal due in four weeks or less - I don't think it matters to have an August foal. I agree with the posters to try again unless you are dead keen to do in had shows, etc. (Not important enough to me.) She's not young any more.