Some common causes of abortions and stillbirths in late pregnancy are fescue toxicity and equine rhinopneumonitis. Fescue toxicity is caused by a fungus grown inside the plant of endophyte-infected tall fescue grass. Not all fescue varieties are infected by the fungus. Fescue toxicity can cause stillbirths, prolonged gestation, tough placentas, and lack of milk production. Equine rhinopneumonitis is a virus that affects the upper respiratory tract of horses and is known to cause abortion. The incidence of abortion in the mares is highest in the last trimester of pregnancy. The only way to truly determine what is causing the abortions is to have lab work done on the fetuses. Once the problem is determined, then you and your veterinarian can work out a plan to reduce the risk in subsequent pregnancies.
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