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Also see [[Puerperium - Anatomy & Physiology|General Puerperium]]
The puerperium is shorter than in the cow, with rapid involution and good conception rates at the first postpartum oestrus.
===Involution ===
* Lochial discharge is slight in most mares and usually ceases 24-48 hours after foaling.
* Uterine horns shrink rapidly, reaching pre-gravid size by day 32 postpartum.
* Cervix remains slightly dilated until after the first oestrus.
* Involution delayed by retained foetal membranes.
=== Restoration of the Endometrium ===
* Endometrium capable of sustaining a pregnancy (fully restored) by 13-25 days postpartum.
* Small amounts of villous debris attached to maternal crypts are removed by autolysis.
* Maternal cryps disappear due to:
** Lysis
** Shrinkage of endometrial epithelial cells
** Condensation of contents of epithelial cells
** Collapse of the crypt lumen
=== Return to Ovarian Cyclicity ===
* Rapid
* Foal heat occurs 5-12 days postpartum.
* Follicular activity after day 2 postpartum.
=== Bacterial Elimination ===
* Bacterial contamination of the uterus from the environment is frequent, occuring by the same method as in the cow.
* Organisms usually eliminated during foal heat or disappear at second postpartum oestrus.
[[Category:Pregnancy and Parturition]]