🐴 Retained Placenta in Horses: Emergency Response and Recovery in 2025 ❗🧬

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

In 2025, we continue to emphasize that a retained placenta in mares is a critical veterinary emergency. While retained placentas are relatively common in cattle, the same condition in horses can quickly lead to life-threatening complications. ⏱️🐎

📅 What Is a Retained Placenta?

After a mare foals, the placenta should be expelled within 3 hours. If any portion remains inside the uterus after this time, it is classified as a retained placenta. 🚨

⚠️ Key Risks Include:

• 🦠 Uterine infection
• 🌡️ Septicemia (blood infection)
• 🦶 Laminitis—a painful and potentially fatal hoof condition

🧠 Why Mares Are at Higher Risk Than Cattle

In horses, placental retention rapidly escalates because the equine uterus is much more sensitive to infection and inflammation. Cattle may tolerate retained placentas longer without critical illness, but mares do not. ❌

📞 Immediate Steps for Owners

If the placenta is not fully passed by the 3-hour mark:

• 📲 Call your veterinarian immediately
• ❌ Do NOT pull on the placenta—this can tear the uterus
• 🪢 You may tie the hanging placenta in a knot to prevent stepping, but do not cut it off

The natural weight of the placenta may assist in its eventual expulsion—but always under vet supervision. 🧪

💉 Veterinary Treatment Options

1. Oxytocin Injections

In the early stages (within a few hours), your vet may administer several doses of oxytocin to stimulate uterine contractions. 🩺

2. Uterine Flushing

If oxytocin fails, your vet may flush the uterus to:

• 💧 Encourage placental release
• 🧫 Remove debris and bacteria

Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories are often included in treatment to combat infection and support uterine health. 💊

🦶 Preventing Laminitis

If the placenta is retained longer than 8 hours, the risk of laminitis increases significantly. Laminitis is a devastating condition involving inflammation of the sensitive tissues of the hoof. ⚠️

Prevention Protocol:

• 🧊 Ice the mare’s feet continuously for 2–3 days
• 💉 Use NSAIDs and other vet-directed anti-inflammatories
• 🔍 Monitor hoof temperature and stance for early warning signs

Icing is labor-intensive, but studies have shown it is highly effective in laminitis prevention when performed correctly. ❄️

🧪 Aftercare: Placenta Inspection

Once the placenta is passed, your vet should examine it to ensure it's fully intact. Retained fragments can still lead to infection if missed. 🩻

Save the placenta in a clean garbage bag and store it in a cool location until your veterinarian can evaluate it. 🗑️

📲 Ask A Vet for Emergency Foaling Support

Need help managing your post-foaling mare? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App for step-by-step emergency care, oxytocin use, and laminitis prevention protocols. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team are available to create customized foaling prep plans and post-birth response kits. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, a retained placenta in a horse remains a . With early intervention, appropriate medications, and laminitis prevention, mares can recover—but waiting too long can result in irreversible complications or death. 🧬🐎

Want a printable foaling emergency checklist? Visit AskAVet.com for resources 🐴🧼