confirming mares are in foal

[mitch]

Could you tell what is the most reliable method for actually telling if your mares are in foal or not.

Annette

 

[MindyLee]

Ultrasound or DNA

 

[HGFarm]

LOL, my stallions let me know... and they never lie

 

[Karin - NaKar Miniatures]

Sorry, Mindylee, but DNA will not tell you if a mare is in foal. Pulling blood will, though.

The best ways depending how far along the mare is, would be: ultrasound, blood and then palpate.

In the case of ultrasound and palpating, if the person doing it isn't proficient at it they could miss a fetus all together.

 

[barnbum]

Blood test--at 100 days. Tests too early might prove postive, but the foal could slip without one knowing... I always loved the 100 day test--accurate and the timing's right.