Mare with old torn cervix, any surgery and subsequent foal carrying experiences?

[Plumcreek]

Hi all,
Gave up breeding years ago, and so do not venture here often, but now have a situation.

I bought a not-in-foal broodmare to make up and ride, but sound mare turns out to have old healed stifle fracture that will prevent extensive training/riding. (Did not do PPE X-rays in remote purchase location - dumb me, even for inexpensive mare). So on to the quite valuable re-breed and why she has not gotten in foal for two years. Turns out to be a significant cervix tear from her last large foal, that the old owner’s vets missed.

So now I am 0 for 2 on this mare. Biopsy is pending, but my local vet says reconstructive surgery (lucky to have CSU near) would most likely tear each year with foaling and maybe not hold to carry to term anyway, if surgery would even be successful to close up a current gap caused by uneven scarred healing. (Why she did not and will not get in foal without surgery).

So, any experiences? Embryo transfer may be an option but $$$ on top of surgery $$$. And breeding was not my goal. Do I need to find her a companion or nanny mare home and cut my losses? Gorgeous 16-3 AQHA mare by The Last Captive x Natural Iron mare who is a great mover and free jumped the best on old video. Not happy. TIA.

[redpanther]

How much would the surgery be? Do you have you dollar limit when enough is enough?

My best mare in my broodmare herd turned out to be the worst broodmare. She got in foal easily, but red bagged on me two years in a row and lost the foals despite the best efforts from multiple vets. Then I decided to try ET. First year never got any embryo’s and was ready to give up. But I decided to try one last time the following year, and am happy to report I have two pregnant recipient mares from one flush.

I guess my point is, breeding as everyone knows, can be so horribly expensive especially with a mare that already has breeding issues. In the long run, it would have been cheaper for me to purchase another mare and just cut my losses with this one.

[khall]

Hmm, embryo transfer was the only way I have seen these mares be productive. Not sure it is worth the expense myself.

[Plumcreek]

Thanks. I am waiting for the biopsy for uterine condition, then will probably take her to CSU for an opinion on surgery outcomes and ET possibility w/o surgery. I do have two good ET facilities within 2 hour drive. Rebreed make that somewhat more affordable. Have done the money dumping scenario more than once, so am well aware…
I have only owned this nice mare two months, but Hate trying to find trusted give away homes for horses I own.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I would not gamble on the life of my mare (or foal) with a surgery for a cervical tear.

If you are going to spend the money, go ET but I agree with khall- I don’t see it being worth the expense. I have one that didn’t work out and she’s living her life out in my field.

[Plumcreek]

[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;8925323]
I would not gamble on the life of my mare (or foal) with a surgery for a cervical tear.

If you are going to spend the money, go ET but I agree with khall- I don’t see it being worth the expense. I have one that didn’t work out and she’s living her life out in my field.[/QUOTE]

The field thing is part of the problem - only have 4 acres grazing for 7 months per year and 2 hours per day max to keep any grass. Mare would be in the stall and paddock over winter that would be needed for new riding horse. She WAS supposed to be the new riding horse, sigh.

[RunningwaterWBs]

You have a few options.

1. Rehome. Depending on her bloodlines, she may appeal to some breeders. Or, as you said, she could be a companion horse.

2. Surgery. Yes, there is some risk, but I believe it’s a standing surgery done through the vagina. We’re not talking about major abdominal surgery here. I know a mare who had it done and went on to carry and deliver again.

3. Stitching the Cervix Shut. After the mare is in foal, a vet can put in a stitch or two to keep the cervix closed. Obviously, this needs to be removed before foaling. One vet I spoke to told me some mares must be stitched with each pregnancy.

Personally, since Regumate helps keep the cervix shut, I’d consider her a Regumate mare and would keep her on it from day 5 until shortly before foaling. Talk to your vet.

I’d also get a second and possibly third opinion on your mare. IME, some vets don’t consider this a big deal and are happy to work with it while others consider it the end of a broodmare’s career. Much depends on the severity of the tear. Be sure you have a clear sense of the tear.

Also – and this is important – make sure this is not the mare’s only issue. Sometimes a tear, while easily palpated, can be fairly superficial and not a true barrier to pregnancy. It would be too bad if the mare has some other ongoing problem (biofilm, urine pooling, infection, thyroid issues, etc) but the vet is making an assumption based on the tear alone.