Members with broodmares foaling in 2022 are invited to participate in a study being conducted by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine regarding foal health.
Dr. Madison Ricard is a veterinary anatomic pathology resident at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Sask., and her research is currently focused on the equine umbilical cord and how it relates to foal health. Ricard is looking to maximize her data set and gather data on as many foals as possible from around the world.
Participation in the study involves the following:
1. Measuring the length of the umbilical cord after foaling.
2. Taking a picture of the umbilical cord.
3. Recording information about the mare, the foaling process, and the foal’s health at birth.
4. Filling out a survey at seven days and 30 days after birth regarding the foal’s health.
Members looking to participate in the study can find more information at the study's website, https://wcvm-equs.ca/. The website provides information on how to sign up and start enrolling mares into the online information collection system. There is also a printable form that can be posted stall-side when the mare is due.