Whether you’ve been planning to breed your mare for years or are just beginning to explore the possibility, there’s one important step that should come before choosing a stallion, reviewing pedigrees, or making breeding plans: a breeding soundness exam.

This exam provides valuable insight into your mare’s reproductive health and is one of the smartest investments you can make before planning a pregnancy. By identifying potential concerns early, it can help prevent unnecessary frustration, unexpected expenses, and lost time later in the breeding process.

Simply put, a little preparation at the start can go a long way toward setting both you and your mare up for a successful breeding season.

A mare breeding soundness exam (BSE) is a comprehensive veterinary evaluation that helps determine whether a mare is physically and reproductively prepared for a successful breeding season. Think of it as a pre-breeding health assessment designed to evaluate your mare’s reproductive system before breeding plans are put into motion.

During the exam, your veterinarian assesses overall reproductive health and looks for any issues that could affect your mare’s ability to conceive, maintain a pregnancy, or deliver a healthy foal. The goal is to identify potential concerns early, giving you the information needed to make informed decisions and improve the chances of a successful outcome.

For anyone considering breeding a mare, a breeding soundness exam is one of the most valuable steps you can take before the season begins.

A thorough breeding soundness exam typically includes several important components, all designed to give you a clear picture of your mare’s reproductive health and breeding potential:

1. Reproductive History Review

Your veterinarian will begin by reviewing your mare’s reproductive and medical history, including previous pregnancies, foaling history, cycle regularity, and any past breeding challenges. The more information you can provide, the more complete the evaluation will be.

2. Physical Examination

A general physical exam helps assess your mare’s overall health, body condition, and conformation. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, since mares that are significantly underweight or overweight may face additional challenges when it comes to conception and pregnancy.

3. Perineal Conformation Evaluation

Your veterinarian will examine the vulva, perineum, and surrounding structures to ensure they provide an effective barrier against contamination. Poor conformation can allow air, debris, and bacteria to enter the reproductive tract, increasing the risk of uterine infections and reduced fertility. In some cases, a simple procedure called a Caslick’s may be recommended to improve protection.

4. Rectal Palpation and Ultrasound

This portion of the exam provides a detailed look at the reproductive tract. Using ultrasound, your veterinarian can evaluate the uterus and ovaries, monitor follicle development, assess uterine health, and identify abnormalities such as cysts, fluid accumulation, or ovarian masses.

5. Uterine Culture and Cytology

A uterine sample may be collected to screen for bacterial or fungal infections that could interfere with conception. Cytology is often performed alongside culture to look for inflammation within the uterus, helping identify issues that may not be obvious during a routine examination.

6. Uterine Biopsy (When Recommended)

For older mares or mares with a history of fertility concerns, a uterine biopsy may be advised. This procedure evaluates the health of the uterine lining and can provide valuable insight into a mare’s ability to carry a pregnancy successfully to term.

7. Hormone Testing (If Needed)

In certain situations, your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork to evaluate hormone levels, particularly if your mare has irregular cycles or there are concerns about hormonal imbalances affecting fertility.

If you’re planning to breed your mare, a BSE is one of the smartest steps you can take. While every mare can benefit from a pre-breeding evaluation, it’s especially valuable in the following situations:

First Time Breeding

If your mare has never been bred before, a BSE provides a reproductive baseline and helps identify any potential concerns before you invest in stud fees, shipped semen, artificial insemination, or other breeding related expenses.

Mares with a History of Reproductive Challenges

If your mare has struggled to conceive, experienced pregnancy loss, or had foaling complications in the past, a BSE is especially important. Conditions such as uterine scarring, chronic inflammation, infections, or hormonal imbalances may be affecting fertility and should be addressed before breeding again.

Maiden Mares, Especially Older Maiden Mares

As mares age, fertility naturally begins to decline. For maiden mares that are older and have never carried a foal, a breeding soundness exam can provide valuable insight into reproductive health and help set realistic expectations for the breeding season.

Performance Mares Transitioning to Breeding

Mares coming out of demanding training or competition programs can benefit from a reproductive evaluation before entering a breeding program. A BSE helps ensure everything is functioning normally and identifies any changes that may affect fertility.

Mares Returning to Breeding After Time Off

If your mare hasn’t been bred for several years, a BSE can confirm that her reproductive tract remains healthy and identify any age related changes that may have developed since her last pregnancy.

Mares That Didn’t Conceive Last Season

If your mare was bred but failed to become pregnant, a breeding soundness exam can help determine why. Rather than repeating the same approach, a thorough evaluation can identify potential obstacles and help create a more effective breeding plan moving forward.

As Part of a Pre-Purchase Exam

A breeding soundness exam can also be a valuable addition to a pre-purchase exam when buying a mare that you intend to breed. It provides insight into her reproductive health and fertility potential before a significant investment is made, helping buyers make more informed decisions and avoid unexpected surprises down the road.

When it comes to breeding mares, timing really does matter. Ideally, a breeding soundness exam should be scheduled in late winter or early spring, before the busy breeding season begins. This allows your veterinarian to evaluate your mare’s reproductive status as she transitions from winter anestrus back into regular cycling and gives you plenty of time to address any concerns before breeding plans are underway.

Planning ahead is especially important if you’ll be using cooled or frozen semen, coordinating with a breeding facility, or booking a stallion with limited availability. The earlier you have a clear picture of your mare’s reproductive health, the smoother and less stressful the breeding season is likely to be.

The cost of a BSE can vary depending on your location, your veterinarian, and which diagnostics are included. In most cases, owners can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500 or more, with additional procedures such as uterine biopsies or specialized testing increasing the overall cost.

While it may seem like a significant upfront expense, a breeding soundness exam is often one of the best investments you can make before breeding. Identifying potential issues early can save your a considerable amount of time, money, and frustration later on by helping you avoid unsuccessful breeding attempts and unnecessary expenses throughout the season.

A breeding soundness exam isn’t just for mares with known fertility concerns—it’s also one of the smartest first steps for any mare you plan to breed. It gives you and your veterinarian a clear picture of your mare’s reproductive health, helps identify potential issues before they become costly setbacks, and allows you to enter breeding season with a solid plan and greater confidence.

Breeding a horse is a significant investment of time, money, and care. Taking the time to evaluate your mare beforehand is simply good horsemanship and can go a long way toward improving the chances of a successful pregnancy and healthy foal.

If breeding is in your mare’s future, consider scheduling a BSE before the season begins. A little preparation now can save you a lot of frustration later and help set the stage for a smoother, more successful breeding journey.