Q: Are recently foaled or covered (bred) mares at a higher risk of developing hindgut problems or colicking?

A: Anytime a horse is stressed, certainly they can have hindgut problems and they can get colicky. Foaling, breeding, and carrying foals can certainly be stressful events for horses. When the mare carries a foal, it reduces the amount of space in the abdominal cavity. And so, it reduces the amount of space that the intestines have because the baby takes up so much space. If the horse has inadequate water, the lack of hydration in the gastrointestinal tract can certainly lead to colic.

Breeding is another stressful event. Most commonly with Thoroughbreds, live cover breeding can be stressful. Obviously artificial insemination might be a little less stressful, but it also depends on who’s doing the artificial insemination, embryo transfer, etc.

If you suspect your horse is colicking after any of these events, monitor her closely and work with your veterinarian so they can determine what treatment is warranted. Having regular checkups with your veterinarian while the mare is pregnant can allow them to intervene early and help reduce the risk of these stress-related complications.

Related Content: Understanding Equine Hindgut Health (Podcast)