I first met this mare in 2005 when she showed signs of imminent premature foaling. She had been treated throughout the pregnancy with intermittent antibiotics but prepared to foal 6 weeks early. She was treated intensively with antibiotics, oral altrenogest and anti-inflammatory drugs but delivered a small colt about 3 weeks early.

 

Although the foal was bright and healthy he had poor cuboidal bone ossification and was euthanized.

 

The next year the mare started in the Problem Pregnancy Prevention Program and responded well to treatment. She produced a cracking filly on her due date and went straight back in foal.

 

Another filly was born in 2006 using the PPP program. Both these fillies raced and won and now have successfully started their breeding careers. The mare responded well to treatment in 2006 and 2007 but in 2008 developed a Pseudomonas infection that was resistant to antibiotics and she slipped that foal.

 

Bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotics we can use are the major reason that mares in the PPP lose their pregnancies. The mare was monitored and treated intensively in 2009 and 2010 and successfully produced a colt each year, both of which are racing. Problems with resistant bacteria surfaced again in 2011 and the mare was retired.

 

Slipped service fess 2002-2005 $132,000

Cost of keeping the mare $15,000 – 4 years $60,000