Chances for Twins?

Heavenly Jumper · 05-30-2007, 02:29 PM

What are the chances that any pregnancy in a mare results in twins? (Not surviving or viable twins...just two embryos)

ryu2832 · 05-31-2007, 05:43 AM

I think it is around 10%. My TB Ruby develops two follicles every once and awhile, that's why we check at 16, and 25 days on her.

Haas Horse Farm · 05-31-2007, 08:29 AM

Depends on the mare and how she is bred as in lineage. Not sure if the type of breeding has anything to so with it but I have had several sets of twins when breeding AI... we were able to pinch one off or abort and start over. Some horses are known to produce twins and have it run in the lineage...

ryu2832 · 05-31-2007, 09:57 AM

Some breeds throw more twins, I think TBs are one. My Trake mare only ever develops one follicle.

Emma lvs tilly · 06-05-2007, 05:18 AM

i saw twin being born from a thoroughbred (although 1 died)
but strange as it seems when this mare had a scan the vet saw 2 embryos and aborted 1 yet 2 foals were born. maybe there was 3 embryos we will never know.

Equine Repro · 06-05-2007, 06:08 AM

Depends on many things, but as ryu noted, TB's twin more often than other breeds - actually about 25% of their cycles will result in a double ovulation. Draft mares are also prone to double ovulate about 25% of the time. The trick is to follow them and determine whether or not there is a risk (does the mare have two follicles that she is likely to ovulate on). And, even when you don't necessarily see two ovulations on ultrasound, it doesn't mean that one hasn't occurred. Asynchronis (ovulations that occur at different times) ovulations can be the bane of the reproduction specialist.

Hope that helps!

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
Equine Reproduction
Check out our spring enrollment special!

05-30-2007, 02:29 PM	#1
Heavenly Jumper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 15,435 Images: 1323 Blog Entries: 270	Chances for Twins? What are the chances that any pregnancy in a mare results in twins? (Not surviving or viable twins...just two embryos) __________________ OMG I'm actually IN JAPAN! like, right now! .'~'. epi tan e epi tas .'~'. I've been SNOWBALLED X8!

05-31-2007, 05:43 AM	#2
ryu2832 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 2,957 Images: 43	I think it is around 10%. My TB Ruby develops two follicles every once and awhile, that's why we check at 16, and 25 days on her. __________________ Gene Pool: Warning, no lifegaurd on duty. "Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't." author Erica Jong

05-31-2007, 09:57 AM	#4
ryu2832 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 2,957 Images: 43	Some breeds throw more twins, I think TBs are one. My Trake mare only ever develops one follicle. __________________ Gene Pool: Warning, no lifegaurd on duty. "Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't." author Erica Jong

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06-05-2007, 05:18 AM	#5
Emma lvs tilly Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: uk Posts: 460 Images: 62	i saw twin being born from a thoroughbred (although 1 died) but strange as it seems when this mare had a scan the vet saw 2 embryos and aborted 1 yet 2 foals were born. maybe there was 3 embryos we will never know.

06-05-2007, 06:08 AM	#6
Equine Repro Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wynnewood, Oklahoma Posts: 645 Images: 21	Depends on many things, but as ryu noted, TB's twin more often than other breeds - actually about 25% of their cycles will result in a double ovulation. Draft mares are also prone to double ovulate about 25% of the time. The trick is to follow them and determine whether or not there is a risk (does the mare have two follicles that she is likely to ovulate on). And, even when you don't necessarily see two ovulations on ultrasound, it doesn't mean that one hasn't occurred. Asynchronis (ovulations that occur at different times) ovulations can be the bane of the reproduction specialist. Hope that helps! Kathy St.Martin Equine Reproduction Short Courses Equine Reproduction Check out our spring enrollment special!