Increased Incidence of Twins

Q. - I read the article about twins ("Seeing Double," TheHorse.com/33858) and would like to ask a question: If research shows that Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods are more likely to have twin pregnancies, could this be in relation to the number of mares that receive injections (of ovulation-inducing agents such as human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] or deslorelin acetate) to encourage ovulation?

I allow my mares to breed naturally (live cover rather than by artificial insemination) with no interference apart from ensuring a clean uterus prior to breeding. To date I’ve not had any twin pregnancies. I would love to know if the injections can cause the release of two eggs around the same time.

A. - his is an interesting question. In fact, there have been at least a couple of studies that looked at whether inducing ovulation could contribute to increased incidence for twins. It is logical that the risk for twinning will increase if there are two follicles present and we encourage both of them to ovulate by administering hCG or deslorelin. Yes, there is a risk that subordinate follicles that would normally regress over time would be induced to ovulate. This is why when managing mares with hormone treatments or otherwise, it is very important to determine the ovaries’ follicular situation and follow up with examination after ovulation.

It is important to remember, however, that administering hCG or deslorelin does not cause a new follicle to develop but just encourages ovulation of any follicle that is present.

Can Fodder be Included in a Horse's Feeding Program?

Q. - I would like to learn more about barley fodder, which in essence is the same as barley sprouts for human consumption. No soil involved—just trays, seeds, and water—and seven days later you have feed. All the sites that advertise ready-made setups to grow your own fodder for your animals don’t really talk about the sugar contents; they only say it is good for your animals, cuts your feed bill by one-third to one-half, and increases nutrition for your horses. I have geriatric ponies, and I am concerned about laminitis. What can you tell us horse owners about this grow-your-own fodder for horses?

A. - Feeding fodder to horses and other livestock classes is not a new idea but one that has gained interest recently. Fodder is commonly comprised of cereal grains that are grown hydroponically (in nutrient solutions rather than soil), and when the plant sprouts the forage material is harvested and fed to the animal(s). It takes seven to 10 days for the material to grow, depending on the system and the plant material used. As mentioned, cereal grains such as barley or oats are most commonly used, but in some cases legumes such as alfalfa or clover may be grown.

The fodder produced has a high average moisture content of 90%. This is somewhat like lush spring grass. This moisture content can affect a horse’s nutrient intake due to significant water consumption while eating the fodder. While water intake is a good thing, it does limit the intake of other nutrients. For example, if a horse ate 10 pounds of fodder he would really be consuming 1 pound of dry matter and 9 pounds of water. The nutrients in that 1 pound of dry matter will vary depending on the crop. In the analysis reports I have seen, the crude protein generally ranges from 18-28% for cereal grains and more than 30% for legumes such as alfalfa. The other nutrient values and sugar levels (an overabundance of which can lead to laminitis) are similar to those of other forages.

How fodder can fit into a feeding program depends on the individual horse’s nutrient needs, the other feeds available to him, and the fodder’s nutrient content. If considering feeding fodder to older ponies, you need to consider that these ponies have lower nutrient needs and factor your concern about founder into your feeding decision. This feed might not be the best choice for this group of horses.

As for the cost of the feed, you need to consider the expense of the grow unit, any added utility costs, and the labor required to grow and harvest the feed in a timely manner. Include your horse’s needs and the costs to supply the feed into your decision of whether or not to incorporate fodder into your feeding program.