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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Domest Anim / Prediction of Gestational Age in Warmblood, Standardbred and...
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2025; 60(4); e70059; doi: 10.1111/rda.70059

Prediction of Gestational Age in Warmblood, Standardbred and Thoroughbred Horses Based on the Table Established in Light Breed Horses Using Foetal Ultrasonographic Measurements of Four Biometric Parameters.

Abstract: Using the equation of Hartwig et al. and the table established for light breed horses, day of gestation was predicted in 108 Warmblood (WB) and 59 racehorses (Thoroughbred [TB] and Standardbred [STB]) pregnant mares. In WB, gestational ages were predicted within 2 weeks from 100 to 200 days of gestation using biparietal diameter (BPD), aortic diameter (AortD) or femur length (FL); within 2 weeks from 100 to 250 days using BPD or AortD; within 2 weeks from 100 to 300 days using BPD alone; and within 3 weeks from 100 to 350 days using eye approximated volume (EyV) alone. In the racehorse group, gestational ages were predicted within 2 weeks from 100 to 200 days of gestation using BPD or AortD; within 3 weeks from 100 to 250 days of gestation using BPD or FL; and within 3 weeks after 300 days of gestation using EyV. Across breeds including Quarter Horses (QH), WB, STB and TB, BPD was the best foetal age predictor from 100 to 200 days of gestation and from 200 to 300 days of gestation with accuracies within 2 and 3 weeks, respectively. After 300 days of gestation, EyV was found to be the best predictor with an accuracy of within 3 weeks. Overall, in the two groups, the breed of the foal nor the breed of the dam (except for short days increments), had any effect on foetal age prediction. Therefore, the table established for light breed horses can be used to assess the foetal age of foetuses carried by recipient mares whether they are WB or STB. Using the same anatomical landmarks but a different ultrasound machine, both ultrasonographers determined foetal age with similar accuracy.
© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-04-25 PubMed ID: 40275691DOI: 10.1111/rda.70059Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates whether the previously established methods for predicting gestational age in lighter horse breeds can be accurately applied to Warmblood, Standardbred, and Thoroughbred horses, using ultrasound measurements of specific foetal biometrics.

Objective and Methodology

  • This study sought to apply the equation developed by Hartwig et al., and the predictive table created for lighter horse breeds, to predict the gestational age in Warmblood and racehorses (Thoroughbred and Standardbred).
  • A total of 108 Warmblood and 59 racehorses, all pregnant mares, were involved in the study. Ultrasound measurements were taken from various biometric sites, including the biparietal diameter (BPD), aortic diameter (AortD), femur length (FL), and the approximated eye volume (EyV).

Findings

  • In Warmblood horses, gestational ages were remarkably accurately predicted within 2 weeks between 100 to 300 days of gestation using BPD, AortD, or FL alone, and within 3 weeks from 100 to 350 days using EyV alone.
  • In Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses, the gestational ages were accurately predicted within 2 weeks from 100 to 200 days of gestation using BPD or AortD; within 3 weeks from 100 to 250 days of gestation using BPD or FL, and within 3 weeks beyond 300 days of gestation using EyV.
  • When considering varied breeds, including Quarter Horses, Warmblood, Standardbred, and Thoroughbred, BPD emerged as the best predictor for fetal age from 100 to 300 days of gestation with an accuracy of within 2 to 3 weeks. Beyond 300 days of gestation, EyV was the most effective predictor, again with an accuracy of within 3 weeks.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that the breed of the foal or the dam did not notably affect fetal age prediction, meaning that the methods established for predicting gestational age in light horse breeds can be reliably applied to Warmblood, Standardbred, and Thoroughbred horses.
  • The study also revealed that foetal age can be determined with similar accuracy using the noted biometric parameters, irrespective of the ultrasound machine used.

Cite This Article

APA
Renaudin CD, Picandet V, Kass PH. (2025). Prediction of Gestational Age in Warmblood, Standardbred and Thoroughbred Horses Based on the Table Established in Light Breed Horses Using Foetal Ultrasonographic Measurements of Four Biometric Parameters. Reprod Domest Anim, 60(4), e70059. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70059

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 60
Issue: 4
Pages: e70059

Researcher Affiliations

Renaudin, Catherine D
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Picandet, Valerie
  • Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de Livet, Livarot-Pays d'Auge, France.
Kass, Philip H
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Horses / embryology
  • Female
  • Pregnancy
  • Gestational Age
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / veterinary
  • Biometry
  • Femur / embryology
  • Femur / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta / embryology
  • Aorta / diagnostic imaging

Grant Funding

  • UC Davis Center for Equine Health

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