Why delay foal heat?

If one considers the insult that the uterus in any species receives during pregnancy, the fact that a mare is able to conceive, and then successfully maintain a pregnancy as soon as a week after foaling is incredible! The newly conceived conceptus does take 5 days to make it's way into the mare's uterus, (conception takes place in the oviduct), so there is already an additional five day "break" after the mare ovulates, but studies have shown that the pregnancy rate in mares that ovulated more than 10 days post-partum is higher than those that ovulated before that time. If one considers how rapidly the mare's uterus can recover a couple of extra days before ovulation can make a big difference, so obviously the answer to "why delay foal heat?" is to allow a little longer for the uterus to recover from foaling.

It should be considered though, that if one wishes to successfully breed on the foal heat, then the foaling must have been without any complications, such as dystocia, retained placenta, tears etc., and there should be very little, or no evidence of fluid within the uterus (such fluid may require additional attention).

It is also recommended that there be no obvious abnormalities of the placenta (which could suggest issues related to placentitis, and hence a pathogen in utero); no discharge by about day 7 post foaling, or at the worst only minor clear or slightly pink discharge; and that the ovulation occur at least 10 days after foaling.

To delay the foal heat ovulation one must manipulate the mare's hormones. I'm not going to discuss the hormonal aspect of the estrous cycle of the mare here, as that would make this article far too long, but any breeder should have a good working knowledge of it, and more information can be found in our "mares hormones" article.

The hormones most commonly used to manipulate the mare's estrus cycle are Progesterone (or an analogue thereof - altrenogest - brand name "Regumate"); Estrogen; and Prostaglandin. For prostaglandin to affect an estrous cycle, it requires an active Corpus Luteum (CL) which is left behind on the ovary after an ovulation, and as the post-partum mare doesn't have a CL (not having ovulated for a long while), this hormone cannot be used to manipulate estrus at this stage by itself. Either of the other two can however be used alone, or in combination.

Progesterone or "Regumate" (Altrenogest)
Treatment commencing on the day of parturition, at regular dosage levels (150 mg/day intramuscularly for progesterone or 0.044 mg/kg per day orally for "Regumate") for a period of eight days, will usually result in the mare entering estrus approximately 3 days after treatment ends. Allowing for an estimated 5 days before ovulation during the estrus, this means the mare should not ovulate before 16 days post-partum. You will note that I say "should not"! As the progesterone alone will not necessarily suppress the mare's own cycle, she may still produce an early follicle and ovulate. In case this does happen, it is usual to administer a dose of prostaglandin in conjunction with the last dose of progesterone. (The prostaglandin will then act if there is an active CL present).

Progesterone and Estradiol 17 beta combined
This combination is not currently available in any brand name product, but is available through veterinary compounding pharmacies such as BET Pharm. It is an injectable product given at the dosage level of 150mg progesterone, 10 mg estradiol 17 beta, per day intramuscularly. Estradiol cypionate used in this combination has not been shown to work.

The estrogen will suppress the mare's natural cycle, and this will prevent the formation of an early follicle, making this protocol far more dependable. Treatment is for 5 days, commencing the day of parturition. The mare is unlikely to ovulate before 10 days after commencement, and most usually after the 13th day. Typically the number of days that P&E is given will be the numer of days that the foal heat ovulation is delayed.

Estradiol cypionate
There has been evidence of success in delaying onset of foaling estrus by giving 2 to 4 cc of estradiol cypionate to the mare on day 6 post-parturition. Success depends however upon the mare not having ovulated prior to administration.

These are all methods of delaying the onset of immediate post-parturition estrus. Another possibility to allow more time for the uterus to become serviceable prior to breeding, but still be breeding shortly after parturition although not quite as early, is to allow the normal passage of one estrus, monitoring the ovulation date carefully, and then administer a dose of prostaglandin no fewer than 6 days after the ovulation. This will typically result in the mare re-entering estrus 3 to 5 days later.

Other reasons exist for the hormonal manipulation of the estrous cycle immediately post-partum. The mare who shows "lactational anestrous", in other words who appears to not have an estrus phase while she is nursing a foal, is one. Some of these mares will show a "foal heat", and then no other up until weaning; other mares will not even apparently have a "foal heat". In many cases, the mare is actually undergoing a "silent heat", and still ovulating. With the use of careful monitoring, which can be made easier with hormonal manipulation, and artificial insemination, it is often possible to get these mares pregnant.

Note:
The use of hormones should be done only under veterinary supervision, and I am not a veterinarian. Consult with one before commencing any of these protocols. Individual animal situations vary.

The hormones used in manipulation of the mare are the same hormones that are present in humans, and they can be absorbed through the skin if spilled. All asthmatics, regardless of gender, and pregnant women must be particularly careful when handling prostaglandin. Progesterone or "Regumate" must be handled extremely carefully by all women to avoid significant disruption of menstrual cycles.