Horse BreedingEquine Science

Horses…

•Are spring and summer breeders (long day) – April – June•Puberty: Mares and Stallions – 12-15

months, don’t breed until 3 years old, cease at 16 years old• Low conception rates – 50-60%•Gestation is 336 days

Estrous Cycle

• 22 days long• 5 day heat (estrus) – breed on day 4 (ovulation)• Look for signs that tell the mare is in heat –

scoring guide• Estrus Synchronization• Achieved through teasing program• Individual – better observation, time consuming• Group – Many horses, might miss a mare

• Every Day• Keep Records

Breeding

•Pasture Breeding• Least amount of labor• Least people injury•High Conception Rates•Don’t know breeding date all the

time• Spread diseases

Breeding

•Live Cover•Know Breeding date•High conception rates•Time consuming•Labor intensive•May spread disease

Breeding

•Artificial Insemination•Most expensive•Know breeding date•Breed more mares• Lowest conception rates• Time consuming• Labor intensive

Parturition• Predict-A-Foal Kit• Horse pees on stick – measures Calcium

• When have greater than 250 ppm of Ca, will foal in 48 hours

• Stages• Stage I – Pre-Parturition

• Lasts 24 hoursWax over udderColic, sweatingLoosing of vulva ligamentsWater Breaks

• Stage II – Parturition (10-30 minutes)• Amniotic sac removed• Hooves of foal placed right

• Stage III – Placenta (4 hours)• If longer give 1cc of oxytocin every hour

Foal Care• Should be up and nursing within 2 hours

• Spray 2% iodine on foal’s navel