The running end of the rope (short end) is laid across the tail hairs just caudal to the tail dock (Figure 4.1).
The tail hairs are flipped upward and over the rope (Figure 4.2).
The running end of the rope is passed under the tail and over the flipped tail hairs (Figure 4.3).
A bight (loop) from the running end of the rope is tucked under the rope encompassing the tail and the standing part of the rope (longer end) is pulled to tighten the tail rope (Figures 4.4 and 4.5).
The standing part of the rope is then passed over the mare’s back so that if the tail is moved to the left side of the mare’s body, the rope is passed over her back to her right shoulder. The rope is then passed between her front legs. It is then passed over her back and tied with a quick release knot at her back (Figure 4.6).
This method works well when having to breed one mare, especially if there are no stocks around.
Care should be exercised as some mares may find the rope around their chest constricting and may need time to acclimatize to it.
Technique for Using an Elastic Cord to Tie the Mare’s Tail to the Stocks
The mare’s wrapped tail is encompassed by a stretchy cord such as a bungee cord with both ends of the bungee remaining free (Figure 4.7).Figure 4.1 The running end of the rope (short end) is laid across the tail hairs just caudal to the tail dock.Figure 4.2 The tail hairs are flipped upward and over the rope.
The bungee cord is hooked to a loop of twine attached to the stocks (Figure 4.8). The twine will break if too much tension is placed on it (due, for example, to the mare jumping out of the stocks). The bungee cord should never be directly attached to the stocks.Figure 4.3 The running end of the rope is passed under the tail and over the flipped tail hairs.Figure 4.4 A bight (loop) from the running end of the rope is tucked under the rope encompassing the tail.Figure 4.5 The standing part of the rope (longer end) is pulled to tighten the tail rope.Figure 4.6 The standing part of the rope is passed over the mare’ back to her right shoulder. The rope is then passed between her front legs. It is then passed over her back and tied with a quick release knot at her back.Figure 4.7 The mare’s wrapped tail is encompassed by a stretchy cord such as a bungee cord with both ends of the bungee remaining free.
The bungee cord is a much quicker method of holding the tail out of the way, especially if a Velcro® reusable tail wrap is used. This method works well when multiple mares are checked for cyclicity.
Figure 4.8 The bungee cord is hooked to a loop of twine attached to the stocks.
Further Reading
1 Leahy JR, Barrow P. 1953. Restraint of Animals, 2nd edn. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Campus Store.
5 Perineal Conformation Evaluation
John J. Dascanio
School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, USA
Introduction
Perineal conformation evaluation is an integral part of the mare breeding soundness examination and should be performed in any mare presented for reproductive evaluation. While there could be defects present in the perineal area, such as from trauma, most commonly evaluation is directed to the vulva. The vulva serves as the first barrier to contamination of the reproductive tract. Defects in perineal conformation may predispose the reproductive tract to inflammation and infection.
Defects in perineal conformation are most often remedied by performing vulvoplasty (Caslick operation, Chapter 53). Alternative surgical perineal procedures include the Pouret operation, Slusher vestibuloplasty, or Gadd technique.
Equipment and Supplies
Tail wrap, exam gloves, flashlight.
Technique
Wearing examination gloves, hold the tail to the side so as to visualize the anus, perineum, and vulva.
Visualize the declination of the vulvar lips from vertical (Figure 5.1).
Note any disruption to the labia such as from previous trauma or surgeries.
Note any discharges from the vulva or on the skin ventral to the vulva. Purulent discharges may accumulate as a crusty discharge on the skin of the vulva and ventral perineum (Figure 5.2). Since the tail is usually relaxed and lying against the vulva, discharges often accumulate on the ventral aspect of the tail in the tail hairs. This area should be examined prior to placement of a tail wrap as a clue that there is a passive vaginal discharge.Figure 5.1 Normal conformation with two thirds of the vulvar opening lying below the level of the pelvic brim.Source: From Descanio JJ. 2011. External reproductive anatomy. In: McKinnon AO, Squires EL, Vaala WE, Varner DD (eds). Equine Reproduction, 2nd edn. Ames, IA: Wiley Blackwell, pp. 1577–81. Reproduced with the permission of John Wiley & Sons.
Normal urine crystal/mucus accumulation on the ventral labia may appear as a chalky white discharge, especially evident when mares are in heat (Figure 5.3). There should be no discharge on the ventral skin or in the tail hairs since this is a normal finding.
Wearing exam gloves, push the index fingers on either side of the labia to determine the relationship of the vulvar opening to the ventral pelvis.
Place the thumbs on either side of the labia and pull the labia apart, exposing the vestibule to perform the Windsucker test (Figure 5.4) and thus test the integrity of the vestibulo‐vaginal fold. The vestibulo‐vaginal fold is a barrier to contamination of the anterior reproductive tract and should be intact in a normal mare. When the labia are separated, the vestibulo‐vaginal fold