Information on pregnancy check

[alliekat]

Well I got some very good news today!!!
My mare was confirmed in foal to Escapade.
She was the one I was pretty sure about.
When we went to check the second mare, The vet didn't see anything, but said there was no edema and her tone felt like she was in foal. Even better than the other mare just confirmed.(although I know all mares are different).
She was not coming into heat either.
Wondering what the odds of her being in foal are? We are going to recheck her in a few days.
She was covered on the 10Th with a follicle that was 3.8 x 4.6 She was given HG(?) We bred her on a whim and it would be awesome it she was actually in foal.
Just curious if anyone has ever heard of a mare holding off to ovulate with the HG for several days.
Vet says it isn't out of the question but don't hold my breath.
Does anyone have an experience to share like that.
I guess I am trying to keep myself occupied for the next few days.
Would you think she would be show signs of coming into heat yet?

[kealea31]

I believe that some mares will hold off after getting hcg. The semen can live for several days, so it is possible that she is pregnant, and it is just too small to see right now. If she doesnt come back in heat, ultrasound her again maybe Friday or Monday. Good luck with her, is she bred to Escapade as well? He is gorgeous :)

[EquusMagnificus]

Oooh I want to know about this as well! Same situation, mare with significantly different uterine tone yet, no black dot!

My vet is also wondering if it isn't hiding in a uterine fold (which we know she has several). Her uterus is also huge (5 foals!).

I am re-checking her at 21+ days when she comes back for another pregnancy check.

I'll be crossing my fingers for you!

[alliekat]

Yes she was rebred to Escapade. I am in love with this years filly so decided to breed her again to him. I am hoping she is. It sure would be nice to have two of his running around next year. We short cycled the other mare as we had been planning on breeding her. Then this mare was ready too just not quite as far along as the first. Plus if I remember correctly my mare didn't show at 14 days last year but did at 17 so who knows!!!
EquusMagnificus I have my fingers and toes crossed for us both!!

[Equine Reproduction]

90% of mares will ovulate within 36 to 42 hours if hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is given to a mare with a 35mm follicle. That leaves 10% of mares that won't. So in answer to your question, yes - there are mares that don't ovulate within that time frame and could conceivably ovulate several days later...or not at all.

With regards to whether or not your mare is pregnant, that would be nothing but speculation. At 17 days, even if the mare didn't ovulate for two to three days after insemination, the embryo would still be 14 days and, in my opinion, difficult to miss.

Hope that helps!

[alliekat]

Thank you Equine Reproduction.
I am borrowing my vets teaser stallion and will see if she show any interest, and plan to have the vet back out in a couple of days to make sure/make plan B in necessary.

[Signature]

We have a mare that HCG seems to do nothing for. We have bred her for 3 years now and each time she has not ovulated even 72 hours after HCG. We know particularly because we were tracking her for frozen and boy it was a long time!! She held a 51mm follicle for 72+ hours after HCG, and this year even with fresh still didn't look close to ovulating after 48 hours. But, I am sure she is an exception (10% :)) as our others do respond significantly usually on the 24 hours-after check and most are gone by 48. Good luck!

[alliekat]

Thanks. It was the first time I have ever used it so we will see. I hope she held out. If not we will go from there. I am just happy to have the first in foal!!!

[EquusMagnificus]

So did the vet come back yet?

My maybe-pregnant mare is indeed IN FOAL!! I am sooo happy to finally have some good news!!

[alliekat]

She will be coming out tomorrow. She has been out of town. So far she is not showing signs of heat yet so fingers crossed. Congrats on your girl that is awesome news!!!

[Equine Reproduction]

We have a mare that HCG seems to do nothing for.

How big is the mare? When are you giving it? How much are you giving?

[Signature]

The mare is 15.3h, Holsteiner - we give it when we breed with the first dose. I have heard if the follicle is not soft, it does not do much (even if over 35mm), and this mare takes forever to soften! I am not sure how much is given actually, the vet just gives it. Seems to work well on other mares of her size, just not her. :)

[RiverOaksFarm]

I had a mare this year who also did not respond to HCG. She ended up ovulating est. early Wed AM, from Friday semen, but she got pregnant, so it isn't an impossibility..... Good luck:)

[pintopiaffe]

She ended up ovulating est. early Wed AM, from Friday semen, but she got pregnant, so it isn't an impossibility..

Be still my heart... I bred on Sat'dy PM, mare stayed 'showing' until Wed... <cramped fingers from crossing :p >

[Equine Reproduction]

I have heard if the follicle is not soft, it does not do much (even if over 35mm), and this mare takes forever to soften!

I have not found that there is a need for a soft follicle for hCG to work, nor am I aware of any research that supports that suggestion. Indeed, many mares will ovulate without apparent significant softening of the follicle (except perhaps immediately prior to ovulation, but definitely not 36-48 hours prior).

The most common causes of "failure" of hCG - other than the previously noted 10%, which may still include your mare) are:

Not ensuring that a follicle =>35mm is present;
Giving more than a suitable dose (>5,000 iu has been shown to potentially prevent ovulation in a 1000 lb mare);
Use early in transitional phase or regular breeding season when uterine edema has not been identified on that cycle.


As noted, a minority of mares fail to respond, but perhaps one of the above might be of assistance to you - if not, deslorelin may be your friend! :)

Hope this helps.

[ThirdCharm]

My mare got a shot of HcG on Thursday on a 41mm follicle that was getting soft, and didn't ovulate until Sunday.

Jennifer