And The Vet Said...

Reproduction

The breeding season is fully upon us as evidenced by the number of times I use my ultrasound in a day. In a perfect world the conception rate would be 100%. Let's remember however, in Kentucky where horses are still bred naturally by live cover, and where management is as close to ideal as it can be, the average annual conception rate is still only 65%.

When choosing the mare you wish to breed, it is important to select the best candidate possible. Some things to consider are the age and soundness of the mare. Many older mares can be difficult to get in foal or have an increased risk of early embryonic loss. Many foals born to these mares are weak, can suffer from angular limb deformities or failure of passive transfer. It doesn't take long to invest a large amount of money in these babies only to end up with a horse with multiple problems. These older mares can also be prone to "Cushing's" syndrome which can make them more difficult to get in foal or cause them to be inadequate milk producers.

If you do have a very desirable older mare, in terms of bloodlines and genetics, embryo transfer is an excellent alternative for these mares.

Mares suffering from laminitis or arthritis can also be more difficult to get in foal. If these mares do get in foal when they reach the third trimester and they are burdened with carrying the extra weight this can exasperate these conditions often making the need for anti-inflammatory drugs to help with the pain. Again, embryo transfer can be an alternative for these mares.

If you do choose to breed a mare that has some age or previous conception problems, it is important to follow these mares closely during and after the breeding process. Ultrasounds post breeding can detect mares that may have problems collecting fluid. Post breeding lavages and cytology examinations of these mares may indicate future therapy during the breeding process.

When choosing a stallion there are also many questions to ask or consider, just because fresh transported or frozen semen is available from a particular stallion does not mean a pregnancy will result. As a stallion age's fertility often declines. I often recommend a client investigate prior to booking to a stallion. Call the specific breed registry to get the number of foals the stallion has sired and when. This can give a good indication about fertility and history.

It is also a good idea to question the stallion breeding manager in terms of how long they have been shipping the stallion, etc. This gives you an idea of how experienced they are in the process. Semen that is not packaged and shipped properly is a waste of time and money for all involved.

As always nutrition is very important to both the mare and stallion. Many stallions are kept in confinement; because of this nutritionally they are often deficient in trace minerals Copper, Zinc, Manganese, and Selenium. These are all important minerals for libido and semen viability. The same thing applies to the mare. To get a mare in foal as well as to produce a structurally strong and healthy foal, supplementation of the trace minerals is important even prior to breeding the mare.

If you have any questions or concerns about producing that next champion please contact your veterinarian and work closely with him or her in not only the whole breeding process but also the pre-selection and preparation of your animal.