Maternal Complications Associated with Parturition

Maternal complications associated with parturition are common in the mare and, at times, can be quite serious. While the attention is frequently focused on the newborn foal, a thorough physical examination of the mare, particularly of the reproductive tract, is a prudent measure to help ensure maternal health and future reproductive abilities. This chapter discusses some of the common postpartum medical concerns that can be observed. Metritis is one of the most common postpartum complications in the horse and is characterized by inflammation of all three layers of the uterus and by the presence of a systemic inflammatory response. Retained fetal membranes occur in up to 10% of normal foalings and up to 54% of foalings in predisposed breeds such as the Friesian; they are considered a medical emergency due to the potentially severe consequences on the mare.