A Field Study of Serum, Colostrum, Milk Iodine, and Thyroid Hormone Concentrations in Postpartum Draft Mares and Foals.

Iodine, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are required for normal fetal growth, maturation, and neonatal survival. There is a lack of robust information on iodine levels found in colostrum, milk, and serum of mares and foals after a healthy pregnancy. Our objective was to characterize colostrum, milk, and serum iodine levels in healthy postpartum mares and foals (n = 10) and explore relationships with thyroid hormone concentrations.

Effect of premolar and molar occlusal angle on feed digestibility, water balance, and fecal particle size in horses.

Objective: To determine whether occlusal angle of the premolar and molar teeth (ie, molar occlusal angle) was associated with feed digestibility, water balance, or fecal particle size in adult horses.

Design: Observational study.

Animals: 40 pregnant mares ranging from 3 to 19 years old.