Did Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome Affect Growth Rate of Surviving Foals?

In the years directly after mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) greatly reduced foal crops in central Kentucky, there was a concern that some aspect of the syndrome would affect growth rates of surviving foals and yearlings. This study compared the growth rates of Thoroughbred foals born in Kentucky in 2000 and 2001 against a large reference database compiled in the mid-1990s.

Body weights and wither heights were recorded for 435 foals raised on nine farms in central Kentucky. Average weights and wither heights were compared to baselines and found to be as good as or slightly higher than those found in previous years. It can be concluded that MRLS did not have a negative effect on growth of foals and yearlings.

This report of KER’s 2002 research was published by Kentucky Equine Research.

Read the entire research paper, titled Kentucky Foal and Yearling Growth Rates Not Affected by Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome.