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The length of a pregnancy varies greatly across the animal kingdom. Our canine friends have about a 2-month gestation, a human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, and African elephants are pregnant for about 22 months. But what about horses? How long are they pregnant?
The average gestation length for a mare can last 320 to 380 days, with the average being 338 to 345 days. On average, gestation lasts for 11 months in mares. Aside from knowing how long a horse’s pregnancy will last, there is much more to be learned for those considering breeding their horse and making sure she has a healthy, safe pregnancy.
When Do Mares Cycle?
As a horse owner, it is important to know a mare’s cycle timings and what to expect. This is especially true when you plan to breed her. Mares are seasonally polyestrous, so understanding the seasons is an important part of the process.
Factors That Can Affect Gestation
A typical pregnancy in horses can last for 320 to 380 days, but generally lasts around 11 months. There are several factors that can affect how many days a mare is actually pregnant.
The Stages of Pregnancy
Like humans, pregnant mares will go through three trimesters of pregnancy, with the first beginning at conception and being confirmed at around the 2-week mark. Horses give birth to one foal, but on very rare occasions, a mare may become pregnant with twins, which is highly undesirable in horses and often results in a poor outcome.
We break down the stages of a mare’s pregnancy and veterinary needs in detail below.
Note: There may a difference in pregnant mare care depending on where you live and your mare’s individual needs. The medical information provided here is for informative purposes only. Mares should not be medicated without the approval of an equine vet.
First Trimester
Second Trimester
Third Trimester
Tips for Keeping Your Mare Healthy and Safe Throughout Her Pregnancy
If you’re planning on breeding your horse or you have a mare that is already pregnant, it’s important to know how to keep them healthy during the pregnancy. Here are some tips.
1. Make Sure She Has a Clean Bill of Health Before Breeding
Mares should be completely healthy and at an appropriate weight before breeding is ever considered. Both underweight and overweight mares will be at risk of different complications during pregnancy, so she should be an ideal weight for her size when she’s bred. Avoid breeding mares of advanced maternal age, and always get a clean bill of health alongside a breeding soundness evaluation from your veterinarian before you allow her to become pregnant.
2. Have Your Veterinarian Confirm the Pregnancy
It’s a good idea to have the pregnancy confirmed by your veterinarian. Not only can you lay your suspicions to rest and confirm a viable foal, but this will also allow you to rule out twins (though rare), which often require the elimination of one fetus due to unfortunate health outcomes for both mother and foals if the pregnancy is allowed to progress.
3. Keep Up With Veterinary Care Throughout the Pregnancy
Veterinary care throughout pregnancy is incredibly important. You will need to make sure the pregnancy remains viable and healthy and your mare will need regular deworming and vaccinations to make sure she and the foal remain as healthy as possible. If any issues do arise, your veterinarian will be able to direct you to the next steps and provide the best chance for both mother and baby.
4. Only Transport Her If Necessary
Transporting can be stressful on any horse, so it’s best to avoid transporting a pregnant mare unless it’s absolutely necessary. Transporting also puts them at risk of injury if there were to be any accidents or issues loading and unloading.
5. Use Caution Around Other Horses
It’s important to keep your mare from stressing out too much during her pregnancy. You know your herd well, so be mindful and cautious when allowing her around other horses. Not only is it important to keep from stressing her out, but you want to prevent injury and illness as well, which may mean keeping her separated from certain horses.
6. Feed Her a Healthy, Balanced Diet
Your mare should be fed a well-balanced, nutritious diet but be careful not to overfeed. Supplementing with additional vitamins and minerals is unnecessary in mares that are fed a balanced diet. Any questions about your mare’s diet during pregnancy should be directed to your veterinarian.
7. Prepare for Foaling and Newborn Care
As an owner, you should educate yourself on all the signs, both subtle and obvious, that your mare is getting ready to give birth, how to handle foaling, and how to properly care for the mother and the newborn foal after birth.
Signs of impending birth:
Your 11-month waiting game will be over before you know it!
Conclusion
A horse’s pregnancy can last 11 to 12 months. More specifically, it ranges anywhere from 320 to 380 days, with 338 to 345 being the average. Pregnant mares must be healthy and receive regular veterinary care throughout the pregnancy to ensure a successful birthing process and a healthy, happy new foal. Horse owners should be well educated and fully equipped to handle their horse’s pregnancy before breeding is ever considered.
Featured Image Credit: Marie Charouzova, Shutterstock
The post How Long Are Horses Pregnant? (Gestation Period) Vet Reviewed Science & Facts appeared first on Pet Keen.
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