LIGHTS! CAMERAS! LOOKING FOR ACTION!

Well all, it's freezing outside, the complete opposite of the breeding season and here I am tell you all to starting thinking and planning for 2011 right now. It is time to start your lighting program. The research literature is pretty clear that mares need supplemental lighting to get them cycling earlier in the year. You need 60 days. You really cannot cut any corners on this. Sure there are some hormone treatments, but I really think this is the easiest for all. 14-16 hours of light is the needed dose and enough light to read a newspaper by in the stall where the horse is housed. So, since the sun is going out by 5, I suggest people have the lights turned on, and kept on at 4PM in the barn until about 9-11PM. I think 11PM is better. This will get your mares cycling by February. No, you may not want a January foal, BUT if your mare needs some attention, cultures, biopsies and the like, you get it done earlier. Pregnant mares that foal early, will cycle back, BUT if they did not have the light treatment they can shut down for 60 days right in March! Yuck! Stallions will also benefit by having increased sperm production with light as well.

If any have questions, please let me know. I look forward to a successful foaling and breeding season this coming year.

Justin T. Hayna, DVM, Dipl. ACT

2 Years and Counting!

I hope that everyone had a good year of breeding and showing this season. As the breeding season is basically over, and hey trust me I love those of you who just keep going, I hope we all had a good year. The practice had an 88% pregnancy rate this year, which is about 13% better than the overall average. The practice froze its first embryos this season, which was really exciting. I thank those clients for giving me the opportunity.

I recently came back from a veterinary conference and there are some new techniques available. For those with show mares, we have some new methods for keeping mares out of heat for up to 60 days, and possibly 90, without using daily Regumate. Also, I am going to be utilizing some different methods of deep uterine horn insemination, which I hope will increase our successes as well. The University of Illinois is reporting a successful "grafting" of an orphan foal to another mare. The methods they used are actually not new, as the methods were developed by a reproductive specialist, Dr. Daels. If you have any questions concerning induction of lactation in non-pregnant mares and rearing orphan foals, just give me a buzz. As I hope you all realize, I will be going over the research literature this winter and trying to find more research findings and applying it to this practice, bringing you the most up to date information possible.

I also want to let my clients know that there will be some price increases next breeding season. A number of pharmaceutical costs have risen so those products will increase. Also, a number of the cycle packages and examination fees will change as costs have risen. Please ask if you have any questions.

Justin T. Hayna, DVM, Dipl. ACT

First Anniversary!

Today is the first anniversary of my practice! Thanks to all my clients. I am looking forward to a great breeding and foaling season this year!

Justin T. Hayna, DVM, Dipl. ACT

Winter

Dear Horse Friends,

I hope the cold Illinois winter is not chilling your goals for this year's breeding season. I am currently attending the North American Veterinary Conference, but will be home soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me while I am out of town.

Take care.

Justin T. Hayna, DVM, Dipl. AC