1. Insemination
1.1. Sperm live up to 48 hr in mare Breed with a 30-40 mm follicle(palpation or ultrasound)/ every other day
1.2. Types of Semen
1.2.1. Fresh semen- used immediately in raw or 3 hours with extender Fresh and cooled- 12-36 hours Shipped Frozen- 25% effective compared to others
2. Gestation
2.1. Length
2.1.1. Viable
2.1.1.1. Gestation (duration) is 335-340 days (11 months)
2.1.2. Non-viable
2.1.2.1. Before 300 days nonviable
3. Estrous
3.1. Signs
3.1.1. Restlessness Hyperactivity Less eating and resting, more running the fence Frequent urination, straddling posture, clitoral winking Stallion presences increases display of heat Mare sniff, lick, nudge the stallion Stallion checks mare with Flehman response Stallion will smell or bite at mare’s body
3.2. Estrus
3.2.1. 21 days,4-7 days in estrus- 80% of mares ovulate within the last 48hr of estrus
4. 18 months
5. 3 ways: Ultrasound, Palpation, AI
6. Puberty
6.1. Ages
6.1.1. Fillies: can be as old as 9-10 months, but usually 12-15 months
6.1.2. Geldings: 15 months or older
6.2. May exhibit interest/activity but reproductive tract is not mature yet
7. Parturition
7.1. 3 stages
7.1.1. Stage 1: up to 4 hours, restless, dilating cervix, ends when water breaks, walk in cirlces, look at flank, switch tails, stand up then lay down, straddling, crouching position
7.1.2. Stage 2: active parturition, 20-30 min, mare on side straining, ends when cord breaks after birth, sweat profusely, may delay if disturbed so people stay back, born within 15 minutes of heavy labor. Assist if over one hour in maiden mares and 30 minutes in mature mares. Mare will lay on side for another 15-20 minutes to transfer blood from placental tissues to the foal. Again, do not disturb as cord could break prematurely. Mare may become very protective
7.1.3. Stage 3: Placenta passing, within 3 hours, retained placenta, will stand 15 to 20 minutes after birth and will begin nuzzling and licking foal, “critical period” for developing bond, licking stimulates foal and dries it, imprinting- learning to recognize the damn. Don’t typically eat placenta like other animals.