Ultrasonographic examination of equine fetal growth parameters throughout gestation in pony for Equine-Assisted Therapy

Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) is gaining popularity. Ultrasound examination is used to decrease the abortion rate in horses. In this study, to monitor fetal well-being throughout the gestation for EAT, we measured fetal heart rate (FHR), fetal eye orbit (FEO), fetal gonad length (FGL), fetal kidney length (FKL), and the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) by ultrasonography in pony mares. Additionally, we measured the plasma progesterone (P(4)) and estradiol (E(2)) concentrations in pregnant horses using enzyme immunoassay. The FGL peaked at week 32 and then decreased to term, and a strong correlation (r=0.72, P<0.001) between the FGL and E(2) concentration was observed. A strong correlation with gestational age was detected among the FEO (r=0.96, P<0.001), FKL (r=0.85, P<0.001), and CTUP (r=0.96, P<0.001). The P(4) concentration peaked at week 10, decreased to low levels (below 5 ng/ml), and peaked before parturition. In conclusion, this study provides information on fetal growth throughout gestation in pony mares for EAT. In addition, it revealed the relationship between ultrasonographic profile and plasma hormone concentrations during gestation.