Horse hospitals and miniature horse foaling

There is evidence of an appalling mortality rate for miniature breeders.  Some experts say that there is a wide range of mortality between breeders, with high-investment breeders saving the lives of innocent horses every season.

If you are planning to breed a miniature horse, vets claim that two items are essential:

• Careful pedigree analysis - Only breeding miniature horses without dwarf ancestors may help to greatly reduce the incidence of congenital defects (dwarfism) in newborn foals.
   
• Hospitalization for foaling - The use of proper medical facilities can greatly reduce the risk or mare and foal death.

A review of the publications on the Internet clearly suggests that hospitalization reduces the risk of miniature horse death. 

Why is hospitalization recommended for miniature horse foaling?

Some Vets say that the smaller the miniature horse, the greater the risk of congenital defects (dwarfism) and foaling delivery problems.    It is well-know that foaling in an equine medical facility will reduce the odds of fatalities. Dr. Lisa C. Beagan, DVM, speaks to the foaling risks in a VetCentric Magazine article:

"Unfortunately, because of their small stature, miniature horses are prone to dystocia or difficulty during labor. The conception and live foal rates for miniature horses are therefore lower than those of standard-sized horses."

Andrea Rollins published that American Miniature Horses have a high percentage of foaling problems:

"the Miniature horse has a very high percentage of difficult deliveries, red bags, and foals that cannot break the sac and thus suffocate.  A mare should have an assisted birth at all times"

How does a miniature horse hospital help saves lives?

There appear to be many compelling reasons to have your miniature horse mare foal in an environment with trained equine medical personnel:

• Caesarian sections - Vets and breeders say that dystocia and red-beg deliveries are common in miniatures horse foaling, and caesarian sections can often be used to save the mother and child.  Vet's say that c-sections for miniature horses have less than 10% mortality, and the probability for survival significantly improves.  While in-the-field caesarian sections have an extremely high mortality rate, they are relatively safe when performed by a vet in an approved surgical facility. According to an article in TheHorse.com:

"Many horse breeders and owners are familiar with the circumstances that necessitate an emergency cesarean section. Those circumstances involve the mare and/or unborn foal being in imminent danger due to birthing difficulties (also known as dystocia)."
 

• Early warning systems - Vets say that the miniature horse foal will move into the "diving" position within 48 hours before parturition.  In a horse hospital, dystocia related to over-sized foals, breech and nape positions can be reliably detected with CT scans, x-rays and deep-penetrating abdominal ultrasound equipment.  By detecting dystocia prior to the onset of labor, a hospital c-section can save the life of both the mare and foal. 
   
• Emergency foal care - Sometimes miniature horse foals are not born breathing, and immediate access to oxygen and drugs such as Dopram may be essential for their survival.

To reduce risk, responsible miniature horse breeders will pay to have their mare foal in a medical facility and some of the best miniature horse breeders have their own sterile birthing facilities.

In this remarkable case, a team of medical personnel saved a 4-week premature miniature horse foal.

Preventing miniature horse foaling deaths

Many vets agree that the death rate of miniature horse foaling can be greatly reduced (from over 36% to less than 10%) by providing the miniature horse with an opportunity to have life-saving medical attention in an equine hospital.  Here are estimates of the common costs associated with a medically-assisted miniature horse birth.

• Predictive test - Four blood tests and milk tests are required over a two week period to accurately predict the foal date.  Cost is about $240.
   
• Dystocia testing - Within the last 48 hours before birth, CT scans can accurate detect dystocia, in-time to schedule a c-section.  Test costs $200-$300.
   
• Vet attended birth - Hospitalization costs range from $40 to $80 per day in a horse hospital with surgical facilities.
   
• C-section - A miniature horse c-section requires two teams of vets, but has a very high rate of success.  Cost is $1,000 to $3,000.

Vet's say that proper medical intervention can reduce mare and foal mortality to less than 10%.

Don't be responsible for the death of an innocent mare and baby. Take your vets recommendation and use an approved equine birthing facility with a staff of trained veterinarians can use life-saving medical equipment.

USA Miniature Horse is a non-profit web site dedicated to collecting useful information about miniature horses in the United States.