This mare's vulva has been sutured from the top to over half way down using suture material. This is a Caslick's operation and it helps maintain the cleanliness of the birth canal in multiparous mares (many foals). Multiple births can cause the vertical vulvar lips to tip forwards making a horizontal shelf where feces can enter the canal. This procedure closes the entrance to precent this contamination. This mare has a vertical orientation and a foal by her side but the surgery is routinely performed as a preventive on breeding farms.
