Diurnal changes in the haemoglobin level, red blood cell number and mean corpuscular haemoglobin in foals during the first 13 weeks of life and in their lactating mothers.

This research article discusses a study that tracked changes in the blood of both young foals and their lactating mothers over a thirteen week period.

Research Overview

• The study involved six foals of a Standard breed and their mothers. The researchers monitored several aspects of the foals’ and mares’ blood, including the haemoglobin level, the number of red blood cells, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin.
• The study began when the foals were seven days old and continued for thirteen weeks, with tests conducted every two weeks for the foals and even more frequently for the mares.

Key Findings

• The researchers discovered there were no diurnal fluctuations (changes throughout the day) in the parameters they were studying, for either the foals or their mothers.
• However, they did observe a decrease in haemoglobin levels in the lactating mares. This change occurred without any alterations in their red blood cell counts. The study also documented noticeable variations in mean corpuscular haemoglobin from one study day to another.
• As for the foals, they exhibited significantly higher haemoglobin levels and red blood cell counts than the mares, but had lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin.

Implications of the Study

• The study provides vital insights into the hematologic (blood) changes that occur in foals and their lactating mothers over the course of several weeks. Understanding the nature and timing of these changes could be beneficial for equine veterinarians and breeders in monitoring the health and development of horses, and could also inform the management and care of these animals.