When can a mare be bred?  Peak time is between April to June  Prime age of mare for breeding is 3-10 years old  The best age is 3 years old  Mares over 13 may have difficult time if they have never foaled before  Stallions can be just over 15 months old to…

Heat (Estrus) Cycle  2 weeks out of heat (anestrus), 1 week in heat  Heat time can be 4-10 days long, average being 6 days  Mares ovulate on the last 1-2 days of heat  Generally in the spring and summer but can be receptive in late fall  Controlled by the photoperiod (length of day)

“Teasing” signals  A stallion is brought around to “tease” the mares and test their level of estrus, graded on a scale 0-4. It takes 1-2 days to go from a grade 1 to grade 4.  0- Out of estrus  1 or 2- Light passiveness to stallion. May approach stallion, but may fight or be disinterested.  3-Urinating when near the stallion, “winking” of the vulva, lifting her tail, and somewhat passiveness.  4- Deep in Estrus. Approaches stallion with little/no fighting and shows all behavioral signs in an extreme way.

How to impregnate a mare?  Naturally—with a stallion  Artificial insemination

“Natural” Breeding  Human directed and very selective  Bred for certain traits  Planned mating  Less veterinary input=less cost (usually)

Artificial Insemination “Hand” Breeding  Don’t have to travel to stallion location  Aids in disease control between stallion and mare  Can also include antibiotics in semen (decrease odds of infection)  Reduces the possibility of injury to mare and/or stallion  Permits the use of stallions which have been developed poor breeding habits or have been injured  Prevents overuse of stallion  Permits breeding of abnormal or uncooperative mares  Permits the use of older, more valuable stallions  Results in higher pregnancy rates

Caring for your Mare  Pre-foaling vaccines are recommended  Maximize the immunoglobulin of the colostrum  Vaccinations against Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1) virus  Can cause abortions  Deworm prior to foaling

Gestation Period  11 months  Early in pregnancy, the conceptus (fetus) is mobile but will become fixed at day 16  In the last 3 months, the fetus will grow 60%

 Riding is okay through most of pregnancy  Requires a great deal of exercise  During the last 3-4 months, caloric intake must be increased  Supplemental vitamins

Pregnant Mare Feed  Traces of copper  Skeletal formation  Increased protein  Increased fat  Extra vitamins and minerals

Foaling  Separated during foaling from other horses  Most mares foal at night or early in the morning  Labor is rapid (30 minutes)  Feet to full foal = 20 minutes  Parturition  Mare will lick foal to clean and to help circulation Foaling Mare

Meconium  1 st stool of a newborn mammal  Contains contents that were ingested in the uterus  Sticky tar color  If not removed, foal will die

Caring for your foal  If the foal is orphaned, you can feed it cow’s milk  At age days old, begin training your foal  Called “breaking”

Key Terms  Mare  Stallion  Foal  Foaled  Bred  A horse is “bred” where it has foaled  If a foal is conceived in England but foaled in USA, it is “bred” in the USA.



Tack  Tools or accessories equipped on horses  Saddles  Stirrups  Bridles  Halters  Reins  Bits  Harnesses

Saddle  Seats for the rider  Fastened to the horse’s back and strapped to the girth  On this image, the gullet is covering the pommel

How to Tack Up: Saddling  Approach from the near side  Place the saddle pad over the withers and slide back  Slide the saddle down over the pad BE GENTLE! Be sure stirrups are up  Drop the girth and tighten initially  Check off side to ensure proper fit

Bridle  The headgear on a horse  Crown piece is same as headpiece

How To Tack Up: Bridling  Approach from the near side  Place reins over the horse ’ s head  Hold head band in right hand and hold bit with left hand  Place thumb in corner of horse ’ s mouth  Gently slide bit over horse ’ s tongue  Adjust bit, nose band and throatlatch if necessary

Grooming Tools Curry Comb Clippers Mane and Tail Comb Hoof Pick

Heads Up! Safety First!  Approach a horse in a non-threatening manner  Know horse ’ s blind spots and remain in line of vision  Move calmly and firmly  Reassure horse of your presence – use pats and your voice

Horse ’ s Field of Vision:  Blinds Spots Include:  Directly in front  Directly in back  Directly below, on ground