Artificial Insemination in the Mare - More and more breed associations are permitting artificial insemination. The negative
attitudes and regulations by the breed registries are starting to decline. This is a big
reason why the technology of artificial insemination in the horse has lagged behind other
farm animal species. Read More... (Added: 4-Jul-2000 Hits: 1203 Rating: 8.50 Votes: 6) Rate It
Breeding Your Mare By Transported Semen -- Being Prepared - The use of transported cooled semen is now a big reality for breeders of most breeds of horses everywhere. The concept of transported semen is simple enough. A stallion's semen is collected and the semen is cooled and shipped to the awaiting mare. The semen is delivered the same day or the next day to the mare owner, where a veterinarian or technician inseminates the mare. Read More... (Added: 13-Oct-2002 Hits: 1001 Rating: 7.75 Votes: 4) Rate It
Embryo Transfer - Embryo transfer technology has become more popular in the horse industry. This
technique benefits both the horse and horse breeders. Read More... (Added: 4-Jul-2000 Hits: 957 Rating: 9.33 Votes: 3) Rate It
Foal Kit - Your foaling kit should be handy and completely stocked well before the actual foaling date. Read More... (Added: 28-Jul-2000 Hits: 976 Rating: 9.72 Votes: 7) Rate It
Foaling Management - The birth of a foal is a highly anticipated event for many horse owners. Good management
practices are essential to a successful breeding program. A live, healthy foal represents the
investment of considerable time, money and effort. Management is especially important prior to
the time the foal is weaned. The mare and foal should be on a regular worming, exercise,
vaccination schedule along with an adequate nutritional program. It is also best to establish a
relationship with a veterinarian who will be available for advice and/or emergency calls. Early
management can impact future health throughout the foal's life. Read More... (Added: 28-Jul-2000 Hits: 939 Rating: 9.86 Votes: 7) Rate It
Foaling Manual - Common misconceptions - An excerpt from the book, "Complete Foaling Manual" by Theresa Jones. There are many misconceptions about the "rules" of foaling mares. This article lists some of the most common. Read More... (Added: 15-Jan-2001 Hits: 1164 Rating: 7.56 Votes: 9) Rate It
Frozen Future... - They say there are lies, damn lies and statistics, and it's the use, or more likely, the mis-use of the latter in regard to frozen semen, that I'd like to discuss.
The prophets of doom on the scene like to point to the fact that the average success rate through live cover is about 70%, and that the average rate of insemination with frozen semen is half the live rate, so per insemination you have only a 35% chance of conception.
Sounds impressive doesn't it %u201Abut really the statement is so sweeping as to be meaningless. If I say 1% of male humans will die of heart attack, it doesn't really tell us much. If we discover that the peak age is between x and y, that smoking/drinking etc. increases the risk by x % and so on, we are moving in the direction of making a statement that is interesting and potentially useful.
Same thing with breeding. No one who is involved with breeding with frozen semen can fail to be aware that there have been changes in techniques and that some changes have resulted in a significantly higher rate of conception. Similarly, certain collection stations have consistently shown that they are more successful than others %u201A and certain stallions and lines, have a better strike rate. All these variations are obscured by the simplistic 35% formula. Read More... (Added: 25-Aug-2000 Hits: 523 Rating: 1.00 Votes: 1) Rate It
Is Your Mare Long Past Her Due Date? - "Has my mare shown any signs of foaling, yet?" I asked the sweet-sounding woman who answers the telephone. "Anything at all like stall walking, pawing, lip curling, yawning, wax, running milk, or looking at her sides?" I query. "No, " she says in the most gentle voice. "But she is 23 days overdue!" Read More... (Added: 22-Feb-2001 Hits: 1067 Rating: 8.72 Votes: 7) Rate It
Managing the Broodmare - Managing the broodmare for maximum reproductive efficiency is an integral part of a
successful equine breeding program. Mares have the lowest reproductive efficiency of
all domestic farm animals, with only 60-65% of those bred annually in the United States
producing live foals. Although there are many reasons for this inferior reproductive
performance, endometritis and irregularities of the estrous cycle represent two major
contributing factors. Read More... (Added: 4-Jul-2000 Hits: 807 Rating: 6.67 Votes: 3) Rate It
Pre-Foaling Preparations - An excerpt from the book, "Complete Foaling Manual" by Theresa Jones. Attention to detail and planning ahead are key factors for a successful foaling. As the time draws near for the arrival of the new foal, preparations should include a foaling stall, a foaling kit, and a list of emergency phone numbers. Read More... (Added: 15-Jan-2001 Hits: 1099 Rating: 10.00 Votes: 3) Rate It
Prebreeding Examination of the Mare - Breeding is an enormous investment of time, money and emotional energy for most
mare owners and breeders. Since the live foaling rate for mares is very low - around 50
percent, it is wise to assure that your mare is in good reproductive health before
sending her to the breeding farm. This will maximize your chances for early conception
and a healthy pregnancy. Read More... (Added: 4-Jul-2000 Hits: 713 Rating: 6.00 Votes: 2) Rate It
Statistical Guides to Breeding - All through Europe the search is on to find 'scientific' ways to help performance horse breeders, and most of the major stud books have some sort of objective ranking for their stallions, and in some cases, mares. Dr Ludwig Christmann of the Hanoverian Verband outlines some of the ways his breeding organization uses this statistical material - and in particular, outlines the way in which mare performance tests can be used to provide a 'fast track' check on a new stallion. And as Ludwig explains to Chris Hector sometimes those 'objective' rankings can produce quite misleading results! Read More... (Added: 24-Aug-2000 Hits: 696 Rating: 5.50 Votes: 2) Rate It
