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Horse Reproduction and Breeding

Horse Reproduction and Breeding. Animal Science. When can a mare be bred? . Peak time is between April to June Prime age of mare for breeding is 3-10 years old The best age is 3 years old Mares over 13 may have difficult time if they have never foaled before

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Horse Reproduction and Breeding

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  1. Horse Reproduction and Breeding Animal Science

  2. When can a mare be bred? • Peak time is between April to June • Prime age of mare for breeding is 3-10 years old • The best age is 3 years old • Mares over 13 may have difficult time if they have never foaled before • Stallions can be just over 15 months old to…

  3. Heat (Estrus) Cycle • 2 weeks out of heat (anestrus), 1 week in heat • Heat time can be 4-10 days long, average being 6 days • Mares ovulate on the last 1-2 days of heat • Generally in the spring and summer but can be receptive in late fall • Controlled by the photoperiod (length of day)

  4. “Teasing” signals • A stallion is brought around to “tease” the mares and test their level of estrus, graded on a scale 0-4. It takes 1-2 days to go from a grade 1 to grade 4. • 0- Out of estrus • 1 or 2- Light passiveness to stallion. May approach stallion, but may fight or be disinterested. • 3-Urinating when near the stallion, “winking” of the vulva, lifting her tail, and somewhat passiveness. • 4- Deep in Estrus. Approaches stallion with little/no fighting and shows all behavioral signs in an extreme way.

  5. How to impregnate a mare? • Naturally—with a stallion • Artificial insemination

  6. “Natural” Breeding • Human directed and very selective • Bred for certain traits • Planned mating • Less veterinary input=less cost (usually)

  7. Artificial Insemination“Hand” Breeding • Don’t have to travel to stallion location • Aids in disease control between stallion and mare • Can also include antibiotics in semen (decrease odds of infection) • Reduces the possibility of injury to mare and/or stallion • Permits the use of stallions which have been developed poor breeding habits or have been injured • Prevents overuse of stallion • Permits breeding of abnormal or uncooperative mares • Permits the use of older, more valuable stallions • Results in higher pregnancy rates

  8. Caring for your Mare • Pre-foaling vaccines are recommended • Maximize the immunoglobulin of the colostrum • Vaccinations against Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1) virus • Can cause abortions • Deworm prior to foaling

  9. Gestation Period • 11 months • Early in pregnancy, the conceptus (fetus) is mobile but will become fixed at day 16 • In the last 3 months, the fetus will grow 60%

  10. Riding is okay through most of pregnancy • Requires a great deal of exercise • During the last 3-4 months, caloric intake must be increased • Supplemental vitamins

  11. Pregnant Mare Feed • Traces of copper • Skeletal formation • Increased protein • Increased fat • Extra vitamins and minerals

  12. Foaling • Separated during foaling from other horses • Most mares foal at night or early in the morning • Labor is rapid (30 minutes) • Feet to full foal = 20 minutes • Parturition • Mare will lick foal to clean and to help circulation Foaling Mare

  13. Meconium • 1st stool of a newborn mammal • Contains contents that were ingested in the uterus • Sticky tar color • If not removed, foal will die

  14. Caring for your foal • If the foal is orphaned, you can feed it cow’s milk • At age 10-14 days old, begin training your foal • Called “breaking”

  15. Key Terms • Mare • Stallion • Foal • Foaled • Bred • A horse is “bred” where it hasfoaled • If a foal is conceived in England but foaled in USA, it is “bred” in the USA.

  16. Tack Animal Science

  17. Tack • Tools or accessories equipped on horses • Saddles • Stirrups • Bridles • Halters • Reins • Bits • Harnesses

  18. Saddle • Seats for the rider • Fastened to the horse’s back and strapped to the girth • On this image, the gullet is covering the pommel

  19. How to Tack Up: Saddling • Approach from the near side • Place the saddle pad over the withers and slide back • Slide the saddle down over the pad BE GENTLE! Be sure stirrups are up • Drop the girth and tighten initially • Check off side to ensure proper fit

  20. Bridle • The headgear on a horse • Crown piece is same as headpiece

  21. How To Tack Up: Bridling • Approach from the near side • Place reins over the horse’s head • Hold head band in right hand and hold bit with left hand • Place thumb in corner of horse’s mouth • Gently slide bit over horse’s tongue • Adjust bit, nose band and throatlatch if necessary

  22. Grooming Tools Curry Comb Clippers Mane and Tail Comb Hoof Pick

  23. Heads Up! Safety First! • Approach a horse in a non-threatening manner • Know horse’s blind spots and remain in line of vision • Move calmly and firmly • Reassure horse of your presence – use pats and your voice

  24. Horse’s Field of Vision: • Blinds Spots Include: • Directly in front • Directly in back • Directly below, on ground

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