Audi Ovulated Right on Time: Next Stop, Pregnancy Check
Today’s ultrasound confirmed what we were hoping for: My Audubon (Audi) ovulated right on schedule following her May 12 breeding with Zandon. With ovulation confirmed, she officially enters the early pregnancy timeline—and Horse Husband Stables will monitor her closely over the next two weeks.
But this post isn’t just about what happened at the breeding shed. It’s also about what happened back at the barn—where a quiet, intentional confidence-building session helped lay another brick in Whysper’s long-term foundation.
Ovulation Confirmed – Timing and Uterine Health
Audi was bred yesterday, Monday, May 12, and today’s ultrasound confirmed that she ovulated from the right ovary shortly after breeding—exactly what the veterinary team hoped to see.
📌 What that means:
In a normal cycle, mares develop a dominant follicle—essentially a fluid-filled sac on the ovary that holds the egg. This follicle grows rapidly and is monitored via ultrasound for its size and tone. Once it reaches maturity, the follicle ruptures and releases the egg into the oviduct, where it may meet sperm and be fertilized.
Audi’s cycle progressed normally, and she did not require hormone-induced cycling (commonly referred to as short cycling). With breeding and ovulation well-aligned, she now enters the next phase: early monitoring to support potential pregnancy.
📌 What happens next:
If fertilization occurred, the embryo remains in the oviduct for about 5–6 days before moving into the uterus. That means any flushing or medications given post-breeding do not interfere with the embryo—because it hasn’t yet arrived in the uterus.
Why Flush and Medicate Post-Breeding?
After breeding, some mares—especially postpartum ones like Audi—can retain fluid in the uterus. This is known as post-breeding endometritis, and it’s treated proactively to avoid complications for the embryo when it arrives.
Audi’s veterinary care included:
A uterine flush to gently clear any retained fluid or inflammatory debris
Oxytocin and anti-inflammatory medication to help her body clear residual fluid naturally
Caslicks reapplication to protect against contamination from external sources during pregnancy
These treatments are timed carefully to maintain a healthy uterine environment before the embryo descends, which is essential for supporting early embryonic mobility and survival.
📌 Important note: Unlike humans, horse embryos do not "implant" into the uterus. Instead, they remain mobile and “fix” (settle) in one spot around day 16–17. That’s why maintaining a clean, supportive environment early on is so critical.
About the Stallion: Zandon
Zandon entered stud in 2024 with a résumé that includes:
G1 Blue Grass Stakes winner
$2.2 million in earnings
On-the-board finishes in the Kentucky Derby, Met Mile, Whitney, and more
Beyer Speed Figures up to 106
Soundness, class, and elite movement noted by both Chad Brown and Mike Ryan
Zandon stands at Spendthrift Farm as part of their Share the Upside program and represents one of the most exciting young stallions from the A.P. Indy sire line. A fun detail: Elusive Surprise’s granddam is Weekend Surprise—the dam of A.P. Indy himself.
👉 Read a full stallion spotlight on Zandon and Knicks Go
While Audi Was Away: A Quiet Win for Whysper
While Audi was at the breeding shed, Whysper—now just over 4 weeks old—stayed behind for a low-key morning with her people.
Rather than just waiting alone in her stall, Whysper enjoyed a quiet session with Sean and Kyle: full of body rubs and quiet confidence building. It was intentional.
These short, supported separations are early lessons in independence:
I’m safe.
My person is here.
Mom always comes back.
At Horse Husband Stables, these moments are designed to teach foals emotional resilience—not through force, but through low-pressure repetition. It’s part of preparing young horses to eventually handle trailering, turnout shifts, and life beyond their mothers.
Why Foals Don’t Attend Breeding Appointments
In Kentucky, foals are not allowed at the breeding shed. The live cover process requires safe, controlled handling of mares and stallions, and a loose or tethered foal adds unpredictable risk.
Some exceptions are made in rare situations—usually involving a trailer companion—but it’s strongly discouraged by most facilities. In Audi’s case, the trip was quick and uneventful: she left around 6:00 AM and was back in her stall by 7:55 AM, where Whysper immediately resumed nursing like nothing had changed.
What’s Next
Audi’s pregnancy check is scheduled for May 26. If successful, it will mark the beginning of her second pregnancy with Horse Husband Stables—and put her on track for a 2026 foal alongside Lady Dyanaformer, who was bred six days earlier to Knicks Go.
👉 Read Dyana’s ovulation update
Stay tuned for results in two weeks—and in the meantime, know that both mare and foal are thriving, and the next chapter is just beginning.
Whysper hanging out while Audi was at the breeding shed.
Audi’s return home from the breeding shed.
