Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

The American Horse Council has released information that efforts are being made on behalf of horse breeders who have suffered due to "Foal Loss Syndrome or "Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome" (MRLS). This may result in Federal assistance in the form of low interest loans.

The syndrome refers to "stillborn, full- or late-term foals produced in 2001 and to early fetal loss among mares that were bred in 2001 and would have given birth to foals in 2002. The rate of aborted fetuses and stillborn foals is six to seven times higher than normal."

The syndrome is widespread in central Kentucky as well as several other states, and affects all breeds of horses. Scientists now believe that the mares ingested cyanide produced from the leaves of cherry trees and that the Eastern tent caterpillar, which is immune to the poison and eats the leaves, played a role in distributing the cyanide in the pastures.

Since many horse breeding farms are small operations with only the one crop, the foals, this syndrome could be devastating not just this year, but over several years. The immediate loss is devastating enough, but the economic effect will be felt in the ensuing years when those foals would have been sold in their yearling or two-year-old years. This gives the breeder little or no income with which to cover operating expenses while the next crop of foals is bred, foaled and grown out. The projected loss over the next several years is over $200 million.

Horse industry representatives have contacted Congress and the USDA concerning the possibility of existing Federal programs or loans to help these breeders cover their expenses for the next few years. Without such aid, these small horse breeders might be forced out of business.

A draft form of the new legislation necessary to put this assistance into effect has been formulated. The intent of this legislation is to aid farms and breeders affected by MRLS. Any farm or breeder affected, no matter the breed or location, could apply for such loans, fit hey meet certain standards.

These are among the definitions included in the proposed legislation:

• A breeder is defined as "qualified" if it is a business that derives more than 70% of its income from breeding, raising, selling, boarding, or selling horses over a 5 year period prior to January 1, 2001 or for the time the breeder has been in business, whichever is shorter.
  
• MRLS is defined as that "malady that describes stillborn foals produced in 2001 and early fetal loss of mares that were bred in 2001."
  
• Substantial Economic Loss (or injury) is defined as the inability of a business to cover ordinary and necessary expenses.

A "qualified" breeder may be eligible for a breeder disaster loan if:

• 30% or more of mares owned, boarded or leased by said breeder that were bred from January 1 to October 1, 2001 were unable to conceive, miscarried, were subject to spontaneous abortion or otherwise failed to produce a live, healthy foal, or
• 30% or more of the mares owned, boarded or leased by said breeder that were bred from January 1 to October 1, 2000 were unable to conceive, miscarried, were subject to spontaneous abortion or otherwise failed to produce a live, healthy foal, or
• the breeder incurred Substantial Economic Injury.

The amount of any loan thus secured would be based on the breeder's economic injury and actual financial need, not exceeding $1.5 million to any one person or business. The term is not to exceed 20 years and the interest rate is set at 4% per year. When the legislation goes into effect, applications for loans must be made by September 30, 2002 and must follow regulations that will be set up by the Secretary.

Information provided by the American Horse Council in a brief released May 29, 2001.

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