Page 4 - Equine Matters - Spring 2014

Basic HTML Version

Breeding horses
can be very exciting and rewarding. Early preparation
is vital to help increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. This article is
designed to help mare and stallion owners achieve success whether using
artificial insemination (AI), which is permitted with non-thoroughbreds, or
natural mating. This article highlights some key points to guide first time mare
breeders and to act as an aide memoire to those with more experience.
Preparing the mare for
David Rowlands BVSc CertEM (Stud Med) MRCVS
Penbode Equine Vets, Holsworthy and Okehampton
BREED ING
3
EQUINE MATTERS
breeding...
Good communication
and teamwork
A cornerstone to successful conception of
the mare is good communication and team
work between mare owner, stallion owner
(or holder of the frozen semen if this is to be
used), and the overseeing veterinary surgeon.
This communication cannot be started too
early and can help avoid confusion and
disappointment. A list of veterinary practices
experienced in the insemination of chilled
and frozen semen is produced by the British
Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).
Understand the
breeding
season of the horse
Most mares do not naturally show regular
oestrus cycles until mid-March. This is
because reproductive activity of the mare
is dependent on sufficient day length. When
breeding sport horses and even for National
Hunt racing, the progeny will not be
performing until they are four or five years
old. Hence there is not the pressure to
obtain early foals. The official start of the
thoroughbred breeding season in the
northern hemisphere is February 15th.
Those breeding for thoroughbred flat racing
are looking for early mating, so that the
progeny are physically advanced compared
with their contemporaries at yearling sales
and when they reach the racetrack at two
years old. Hence such mares are stabled
under lights for 16 hours a day from the third
week of December to artificially advance
regular cycling. Typically mares are in oestrus
(in season) for five days and dioestrus (out
of season) for sixteen days throughout the
breeding season.
Veterinary Surgeon
David Rowlands
XLVets Equine Practice
Penbode Equine Vets