Title: Explain causes and preventions of equine abortion.
Course: Equine Science, Advanced (18104-II) > Section: Caring for the Mare and Foal

Explanation should include

- causes of abortion
  - poor nutrition
  - trauma
  - leptospirosis
  - equine herpes viruses (EHV-1 and EHV-4), rhinopneumonitis
  - placentitis
  - equine viral arteritis
  - bacterial agents
  - twinning in mares
  - fescue toxicosis
  - pneumovagina
- preventions for abortion
  - Caslick’s suture
  - separation of pregnant mares from non-pregnant horses
  - herpes vaccinations at five, seven, and nine months.

Teacher Resources:

- Vaccinations for Adult Horses, AAEP
- Vaccinations for Foals, AAEP
- Placentitis, AAEP

Process/Skills Questions:

- What is the difference between equine abortion and stillbirth?
- What is one cause of twinning in horses?
- What is Overo lethal white syndrome?
- What vaccinations should be given at five, seven, and nine months of gestation to prevent equine abortion?
- How soon should pregnant mares be removed from endophyte-infected fescue prior to parturition?
- When should a pregnant mare’s nutritional intake increase?
- What risks should be addressed for the personnel handling aborted fetuses?