Horse Production Breeding

What factors go into breeding

Temperament, Conformation, Athletic ability, Muscular build, Gait or movement, Intended use

What is Breeding?

A profession, expensive, time consuming, always needs a plan

Breeding responsibilitys

Planned Mating (Genetics), desirable traits (conformation), Proper care, and marketability

broodmare

Female horse kept for breeding and raising foals

Causes of Early pregnancy Loss

Reproductive health of mare, hormonal imbalance’s, age, time between ovulation and fertilization, twin pregnancies.

Estrous

Entire cycle (21-22 days)

Estrus (follicular phase)

Heat Stage (3-7 days)

Mares ovulation 24-48 hrs prior to end of estrus

Diestrus (Luteal Phase)

after estrus phase 15-19 days

Anestrus

complete absence of estrus

Mare breeding Season

Seasonal Polyestrous breeders

• starts cycling in the spring and goes into rest period during the winter and early spring

Winter anestrus

• reproductive system goes into rest period during winter and early spring

Transitional Phase

• the period between anestrus and normal cycling

Regulation of cyclical activity

Under control of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and the ovaries

Hypothalamus produces GnRH that stimulates the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary glands

Pituitary glands release FSH and LH responsible of follicle growth and ovulation

understanding ovulation

Follicles secrete estrogens to signal start of Heat lasting 5-7 days

Dominant follicle grows during estrus to about 35-45 mm

LH surges at end of estrus to stimulate the rupturing of the follicle to release the egg (ovulation)

The empty follicle turns into CL which produces progesterone to support pregnancy.

Luteolysis

The process by which the corpus luteum (CL) degenerates when pregnancy does not occur, leading to a decrease in progesterone production and the resumption of the estrous cycle.

Uterine endometrium secrets the prostaglandins to Detroy the CL

Official Birthday of foals every year

January 1st

when does breeding season start

Feb 15

Manipulation of Estrus

2 main reasons

• facilitate birth of foals as soon to January 1st as possible

• To maximize the use of genetically superior popular stallions

How to manipulate

Artificial light and hormone administrations

• can cause mare to cycle earlier (16 hours of light)

• Suppresses the release of melatonin, which affects the release of gonadotrophins

• Bright enough to read a newspaper from 7am - 11 pm

Hormonal Therapy

• Regu-mate (synthetic progestogen) used to control estrous cycle and predict occurrence of ovulation

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what procedure sows up vulva

Caslicks procedure

Managing Maiden mares

carefully introduce (Broodmare can be very mean)

evaluate estrous cycles carefully

body many need time to withdraw from performance drugs before breeding

Older maiden/Barren Mares

Check for genital tract infections

Breeding Roll

used to control amount of male genital enter the female to eliminate injury