Breeding the Older Broodmare
Many mares get bred every year without veterinary intervention. However, this is often not the case for the older broodmare. When a mare has had many foals and /or is older (late teens and up), her body has undergone physical changes. The biggest change is that her uterus tends to fall forward of her pelvis. This is significant because fluid and particles that would be cleared out of the normal healthy uterus tend to get trapped in this uterus. At Valcheck Veterinary, we specialize in breeding the older mare. It is important for all involved to understand that it will be a labor intensive and therefore more costly endeavor. The difficulty lies in being able to effectively "clean" the uterine environment without causing significant irritation. On occasion this may take more than one estrous cycle to complete
Uterine Culture and Flush
Why? The difficult broodmare is often one that is quite commonly retaining an infection and/or irritation within the uterus. These mares may also be retaining fluid. A culture is used to determine type of bacteria and severity of infection. Another important aspect is the flush. This is the most effective proven method to clear any inflammation and/or infection. It lavages the uterus, as well as creating a gravity suction to remove other pooling fluid. In many cases, this can make the difference between pregnancy or not. The bottom line is whether or not you are getting results with your current program.
Notice the culture plate growing bacteria from an infected uterus. This mare would not be able to conceive without medical intervention.