Mare and foal in pasture
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

Endometritis, or inflammation of the uterine lining, is a common cause of infertility in mares. Treatment often involves identifying the underlying cause—such as bacteria, fluid accumulation, or poor uterine clearance—and using targeted therapies like uterine lavage, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories. Jenna Ward, DVM, Dipl. ACT, of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, and Carleigh Fedorka, PhD, of Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, explain common treatments for endometritis in mares in this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt.

This is an excerpt from our Ask TheHorse Live podcast, “Mare Reproductive Problems.” Listen to the full recording here. 

About the Experts:

Picture of Jenna Ward, DVM, Dipl. ACT

Jenna Ward, DVM, Dipl. ACT

Jenna Ward, DVM, Dipl. ACT, is a clinician and lecturer in large animal reproduction at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square. She earned her DVM at Texas A&M University, in College Station. Ward's research includes stallion reproductive health and genetic-related embryonic loss in horses.

Picture of Carleigh Fedorka, PhD

Carleigh Fedorka, PhD

Carleigh Fedorka, PhD, assistant professor of equine reproductive physiology at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, is a global expert in reproductive immunology. She has focused her research on understanding the relationship between the immune system and the reproductive tract, evaluating the efficacy of treatments on various reproductive disorders, and discovering biomarkers for reproductive health. Fedorka earned her BS degree from St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, and her PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, after working in the industry as a manager of a commercial Thoroughbred breeding farm. She maintains a presence in the equine industry by retraining countless off the track Thoroughbreds, including her personal event horses Judge Johnny (JJ) and Strike Two (Jeter). In her spare time, she enjoys fly fishing, spending time with her husband and their dog, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.