Horse Breeding Equine Science

Horses… Are spring and summer breeders (long day) – April – June Puberty: Mares and Stallions – 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 hours Wax over udder Colic, sweating Loosing of vulva ligaments Water 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