Digital Commons Network^™

Tnh1003-Embryo Transfer In Mares, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Animals/Livestock

Embryo transfer (ET), an advanced reproductive technology, has several potential uses in equine reproduction. ET can be used to increase the annual reproductive rates in mares. For example, some breed associations will allow multiple foals to be registered annually per donor mare. Young mares (2 years old) can have offspring through ET where otherwise this might not be a good idea. Females in use for shows, training or exhibition can have offspring without being removed from their primary use. Last, less fertile mares — particularly those with uterine problems — can have foals.

Tnh1004-Modern Equine Breeding Management, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Animals/Livestock

Horse reproduction is an inefficient process with less than 50 percent of the mares that are bred each year foaling. A number of newer techniques are available to improve efficiency, but all require attention to detail. Many require competent technical assistance and access to prescription drugs. This fact sheet will address topics related to improving reproduction. These include forced ovulation, estrus control, artificial insemination, cooled shipped semen, frozen semen and embryo transfer.

Tnh1001-Basic Broodmare Management, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Animals/Livestock

Volumes of material have been written on broodmare management. However, much of the material is extremely detailed and is of little use to the average horse owner who wants to breed a mare. There is a need for a common sense approach to managing the broodmare. This common sense approach, combined with scientific management principles, will allow for a successful breeding program. This paper will address basic principles related to management of broodmares that include nutrition, condition scoring, herd health, lighting programs, the estrous cycle and receptivity to breeding.

Tnh1002-Cooled Shipped Horse Semen, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Animals/Livestock

Imagine that you have a really great mare you plan to breed again once she foals. You have recently seen the perfect stallion for this mare at a show in Asheville, North Carolina. Unfortunately, the stallion will be standing this breeding season in California. The expense of shipment and mare care plus concerns for the well-being of the mare and foal make sending the mare to California seem a bad idea. What can you do? Cooled shipped semen may be the answer. With proper management and attention to detail, cooled shipped semen can be used successfully. If either you or …

Tnh3005-Standing A Stallion To The Public, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Animals/Livestock

Most breeding farms or stallion owners must depend on stallion service income (breeding fees) from outside (public) mares to financially support the total horse operation. Since standing a stallion does have financial consequences, it is very important to understand some basic management concepts when standing a stallion to the public.

Most stallion owners initially purchase a stallion to breed their own mares. However, by breeding outside mares, the stallion owner is able to reduce the fixed costs of owning a stallion, increase the number of mares bred and subsequently increase the number of foals available to evaluate the stallion as …

Tnh1000-Heat Detection And Teasing Systems For Mares, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Service

Animals/Livestock

An observant teasing manager, an effective teaser and a safe, efficient teasing system are the bases for accurate heat detection in the mare. These factors, combined with a thorough knowledge of sexual behavior in mares and a detailed set of records are necessary for a successful breeding season. Pregnancy rates in mares are the lowest of any domestic animal. Only about one half of all mares bred will become pregnant and foal the next year. Pregnancy rates can increase substantially if managers can do a better job of heat detection in mares. Accurate teasing records, combined with rectal palpation or …