Veterinary Management of Equine Reproduction: Caslick's procedure

Although I have never had any experience with the Caslick's procedure, it is a very useful procedure that is very important to mare health. This helps to correct conformation abnormalities that result in genital infections. The vulva must be vertical with full firm lips meeting in the mid line and making a seal, if this process is interrupted, such as the seal breaking and allowing feces or air into the genital tract, it could make her very sick. This could lead to contamination, infection and more.

If the vulva angles inward to the body, and she defecates, this could like across her vulvar lips. If the angle is very strong, the lips could stretch across the pelvic brim. This worsens the seal even more. In older, thinner mares, which are rather normal, her anus may still sink in. This means that the feces and any of its additional contaminants pass over the vulva.

There are other situations that may call for the surgery. If a mare has had a lot of foals, her vulva may never return to its original shape. There could be cuts, results from prior surgeries or more that interfere with the seal and stretch her. If a slender mare is young and healthy, but works to hard, her vulva seal may break with exertion. Air is allowed into other genital area and creates a sucking sound which can also lead to genital infections. This may interfere with training, especially if there are infections that return and return.

The Caslick procedure is then done to keep the airtight seal, regardless of her condition, conformation abnormalities and her condition. There is a portion left for urinating, but otherwise, it is tight together and does a good job at keeping genital infections from cropping up. There can be a problem, however, sometimes this procedure is done on mares and it does not matter what their condition, conformation or work schedule is. It is not always necessary, and the complications of surgery are a risk despite it not being required.

The Caslick procedure needs to be cut to open the mare up for breeding (and sometimes sealed when confirmed, then opened again for birthing), then closed again foaling. This can be a difficult problem since there can be tearing and scarring. Repeated surgeries can make later Caslick procedures harder later down the road as scar tissue builds. If the Caslick procedure is done after breeding it keeps down infection which leads to more foals. If a racehorse mare is retired and does not actually need the Caslick procedure, it can be removed for breeding and not reclosed. However, if she should have the wind sucking noise, the Caslick's procedure with resolve it.