23/08/2026
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the whole team at LHEC for their wonderful care and services.
See video for the incredible procedure undertaken to remove Tillys cyst.
Tilly's story actually started last year.
When she was scanned in foal with Levi, we discovered that she had an endometrial cyst within her uterus. Thankfully, despite the cyst, she went on to have a successful pregnancy and delivered Levi safely. ❤️
After having Levi, we decided that we would love to put Tilly back in foal. However, when she was scanned again this year, we discovered that the cyst had grown considerably and was now measuring a whopping 14cm.
We did decide to give nature a chance and try to get her in foal. Tilly initially conceived, which gave us hope, but sadly when she was scanned at 28 days there was no heartbeat and it appeared that she had lost the pregnancy at approximately 21 days.
As disappointing as that was, it actually made my decision about what to do next much easier.
For me, nature was telling us that this cyst had now become too significant to ignore.
A 14cm cyst inside a mare's uterus is substantial. For some perspective, the main body of a mare's uterus is relatively short, with two uterine horns extending forwards. An embryo needs a healthy uterine environment and adequate endometrial surface for the developing placenta to establish and support the pregnancy.
Horses are also naturally designed to carry one foal at a time. Unlike species that routinely produce litters, there is limited uterine surface available for the equine placenta to attach and provide everything that a growing foal needs. This is one of the reasons twin pregnancies are so dangerous in mares — two developing foals compete for that available placental attachment, resulting in very high rates of pregnancy loss, premature delivery and weak or non-viable foals.
When you think about just how much healthy uterine surface is needed to successfully grow one foal, it puts the potential significance of a 14cm cyst into perspective.
So on Friday, Tilly underwent hysteroscopy and laser ablation at Lower House Equine Clinic to treat the cyst.
The whole procedure was performed with Tilly standing, and I'm delighted to say she is now home and doing really well. ❤️
The next step is to prepare her uterus and give her the healthiest environment possible. We are hoping to shorten her cycle and, all being well, we may even have the opportunity to try once more this season. 🤞
Whatever happens from here, I know we've done everything we can to give Tilly the best possible chance.
A massive thank you to everyone at Lower House Equine Clinic for the care, expertise and support they have given Tilly. What can now be achieved with equine reproductive medicine really is incredible.
And after Tilly successfully gave us our gorgeous Levi last year, perhaps there is still one more very special baby waiting for us… 🤞❤️🐴
