Genital injuries from mating in the mare.

This study highlights common genital injuries in female horses (mares) during natural mating and describes their management, potential outcomes, and legal implications.

Genital Injuries in Mares

• The research details that minor accidents are common during the breeding of horses, which can often result in a variety of genital injuries in females. These could include vulval separations and vaginal lacerations.
• Rupture of the vagina, while less common, is also mentioned as a potential consequence of these accidents. It’s important to note that this latter injury can have severe outcomes, including the death of the mare.

False Entry and Persistent Hymen

• The report also includes information on complications that may arise from ‘false entry’ by the male horse (stallion). False entry refers to incorrect penetration during sex, which could contribute to genital injuries in mares.
• In addition, a condition called ‘persistent hymen’, which implies the existence of an intact hymen in maiden (virgin) mares, is also discussed. This condition can pose challenges to natural mating and may increase the risk of injuries to the mare.

Management of Genital Injuries

• The study goes into detail about the possible management of the mentioned injuries, indicating that specific interventions can mitigate the consequential harm inflicted due to them.
• The authors highlight that proper attention and care are crucial post-mating to ensure that these injuries do not escalate or lead to severe consequences like the death of the mare.

Legal Implications

• Lastly, the researchers examine the potential legal implications of these injuries. In situations where a mare is injured during natural mating, it could lead to litigation – lawsuits or other legal actions.
• The authors suggest that both veterinarians and horse breeders could be potentially implicated in such cases, thereby underlining the importance of professional responsibility in this respect.