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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2012; (41); 26-29; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00479.x

The impact of birthweight on mare health and reproductive efficiency, and foal health and subsequent racing performance.

Abstract: Although low birthweight is a risk factor for neonatal illness, the impact of high birthweight on the health of foals and mares, and on the foals' long-term athletic capability, is unknown. Objective: To investigate whether: 1) foals that are excessively heavy are associated with an increased prevalence of maternal illness in the first month post partum and reproductive dysfunction in the following season; 2) excessively light or heavy foals are at an increased risk of illness in the first month of life; and 3) birthweight is associated with racing success. Methods: Veterinary records from 230 Thoroughbred mares and 409 foalings were reviewed. Data relating to foaling, foal and mare health during the first month postpartum and subsequent breeding efficiency were extracted. Foals' racing records were obtained and the association between birthweight and these outcomes examined. Results: Mares with heavy foals had a higher prevalence of minor nonreproductive problems than those with light and average foals. Compared to average foals, placental weight was lower in the light group and higher in the heavy group. Light foals took longer to stand, nurse and pass meconium, whereas gestation period and duration of Stage 2 parturition were longer in heavy foals. Heavy foals were at increased risk of nonseptic musculoskeletal conditions and conformational defects. Birthweight was not associated with racing outcomes. Conclusions: High birthweight was associated with increased prevalence of neonatal musculoskeletal conditions but birthweight did not have a major impact on mares' health and reproductive efficiency, orfoals' racing success. Conclusions: These data add to the understanding of the impact of birthweight on short- and long-term health outcomes in mares and foals.
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Publication Date: 2012-05-19 PubMed ID: 22594022DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00479.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research focuses on investigating the effect of foal birthweight on the health of both the foal and the mare, as well as the subsequent racing performance of the foal. The study found that while high foal birthweight was associated with increased neonatal musculoskeletal conditions, it had no significant impact on the mother’s health, her reproductive efficiency, or the foal’s future racing success.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The main objective of this research was to determine the relationship between foal birthweight and its effects on the mare’s health and reproductive effectiveness, the foal’s health, and the foal’s potential racing performance.
  • The researchers used veterinary records from 230 Thoroughbred mares and 409 foalings for this study. These records included details about the foaling process, as well as the health conditions of both the mare and the foal post birth, and the mare’s following breeding efficiency.
  • The study looked at birthweights in three categories: excessively light, average, and excessively heavy. The study also reviewed the foal’s racing records to understand any correlation between birthweight and racing success.

Results of the Study

  • Mares that had heavy foals had a higher rate of minor nonreproductive problems as compared to those with light and average weight foals.
  • Light foals took longer to stand, nurse and excrete the first stool, known as meconium. On the contrary, heavily weighed foals had a longer gestation period and the duration of Stage 2 labor was longer.
  • Excessively heavy foals were found to be more prone to nonseptic musculoskeletal conditions and had more conformational defects.
  • No significant association was found between the birthweight of a foal and its future racing outcomes.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The study concluded that higher foal birthweights did not pose a major risk to the mare’s health or affect her future reproductive efficiency.
  • While high birthweights were associated with an increased occurrence of neonatal musculoskeletal issues in foals, they had no significant effect on the foal’s future racing success.
  • The findings provide valuable insights into the effects of foal birthweight on both short-term and long-term health outcomes for mares and foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Whittaker S, Sullivan S, Auen S, Parkin TD, Marr CM. (2012). The impact of birthweight on mare health and reproductive efficiency, and foal health and subsequent racing performance. Equine Vet J Suppl(41), 26-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00479.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 41
Pages: 26-29

Researcher Affiliations

Whittaker, S
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK.
Sullivan, S
    Auen, S
      Parkin, T D H
        Marr, C M

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Newborn / physiology
          • Birth Weight / physiology
          • Female
          • Horses / physiology
          • Pregnancy
          • Pregnancy Outcome
          • Running
          • Sports

          Citations

          This article has been cited 3 times.
          1. Sharman P, Young AJ, Wilson AJ. Evidence of maternal and paternal age effects on speed in thoroughbred racehorses. R Soc Open Sci 2022 Oct;9(10):220691.
            doi: 10.1098/rsos.220691pubmed: 36249332google scholar: lookup
          2. Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
            doi: 10.1111/evj.12649pubmed: 27859501google scholar: lookup
          3. Meliani S, Benallou B, Halbouche M, Haddouche Z. Time of foaling in Arabian mares raised in Tiaret, Algeria. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2013 Jul;3(7):587-8.
            doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60120-3pubmed: 23835758google scholar: lookup
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