Some aspects of peripartum, neonate and foal heat in mini pony mares

Abstract

Physiological aspects of the peripartum period are well known in the Thoroughbred breed. The aim of this study was to establish some physiological parameters of the miniature mare and foal during the same period. Nine Brazilian Pony breed mares mean age 7.5 years old were used. Parameters investigated were: length of gestation; time for placenta deliverance; time for umbilical cord rupture; time for the neonate to stand; time to present suckling reflex; time that the foal took to nurse; time for meconium elimination. Foals height and weight were also measured. Mares were examined by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography from the day following parturition to the 6th day after the second postpartum ovulation, to record follicular development and the onset and duration of foal heat. 7 mares had live foals, and 2 had dystocia (28.5%). Gestational length was 328.3 ± 12.5 days. All births occurred between 01:17 and 04:50 a.m. Umbilical cord took 3.2 ± 2.3 min to rupture, and placentae were delivered mostly at 34.2 ± 6.3 min after parturition, weighing an average of 1.36 ± 0.1 kg. The foals stood up in 19.2 ± 9.9 min and showed suckling reflex in 13.8 ± 9.8 min. First nursing occurred at 69.6 ± 36.9 min; and meconium elimination at 73 ± 50.5 min after birth. Foals' mean height was 58.5 ± 5.07 cm and weight was 14.8 ± 12.1 kg. The first postpartum ovulation occurred 18.6 ± 9.9 days after parturition. Most of the observed parameters show a difference from data existing on normal size mares. However, more studies are needed to assess all the parameters concerning the foal and the miniature mare's puerperium.