Selection of the stallion 

Choosing the right stallion is not easy, especially for inexperienced breeders. Besides the factual things, such as the values from the breeding value estimation (genetic predisposition of a horse that cannot be seen directly on the observed performance), stallion performance and competition successes, it is exterior and interior that should be considered. As far as the performances are concerned, not only competition accomplishments of the stallion itself are interesting, but also those of the offspring. It should also be considered that the mating should ideally retain the strengths of the mare and balance out the weaknesses as much as possible. It is advisable to choose a stallion of equal suitability and breed. In case of opposing mating, for example a small, fine mare with a heavy stallion or a dressage genius with a showjumping star, the outcome is completely uncertain. Keep in mind, that it is always good to have an experienced breeder by your side.

Natural covering can be dangerous for horses and handlers, but often have the best results in terms of chance of pregnancy.

Definition of ovulation: Ovulation is the detachment of an egg from the female ovary and its subsequent uptake by the fallopian tube.

Natural mating

In natural mating, the mare actually meets the stallion. There is either free mating in the pasture or mating in-hand. It is considered the most effective way to get the mare pregnant, simply because the largest amount of semen is transferred without any additives. However, the risk of injury and infection is significantly higher than with artificial insemination.

Artificial insemination

When it comes to artificial insemination, we distinguish between fresh or frozen semen. Insemination is done with the help of a catheter. If frozen semen is used, however, the mare should be kept at an insemination station or clinic. This is the best place to determine the ideal time for insemination. That is done by checking the follicles

every four to six hours - also at night. If ovulation is imminent, the sperm is checked for motility and inseminated deep, close to the mouth of the fallopian tube. The secret of insemination with fresh semen is to recognize ovulation one day before. This is when the semen has to be ordered. 

Pregnancy check

No matter how the mare was inseminated, about 16 days later an ultrasound can reliably determine whether she is in foal. If the result is positive, the next examination is 30 days later. The 33rd day is considered the last possible date to terminate a twin pregnancy relatively risk-free (without disturbing the cycle). If the mare is not in foal, the first arrangements for the next insemination can be made.


A veterinary health check of the mare is important to rule out any possible issues that could occur during pregnancy.

The heat 

The heat refers to the phase in which the mare is ready to mate. She shows this clearly by certain behavior. For example, in the heat the mare not only tolerates the proximity of a stallion, but even actively pushes towards him if possible. If the mare has contact with the stallion, she puts her hind legs wide, raises her tail and holds it to the side. 

If there is no stallion in the vicinity that can show the mare’s state of heat without a doubt, a change in behavior is usually noticeable. Mares in heat are often more difficult to ride, sometimes unruly and irritable in handling. Heat begins with the maturation of the follicle and subsides after ovulation. Ovulation occurs in the last third of the heat. The best time for insemination is one day before the end of the period of heat. The visible duration of the heat varies greatly in mares from three to ten days.

Health management

When you have dealt with the first two steps, it is time to look at the mare’s environment. The stable where the mare is at home must have good infection control and vaccination management. Regular worming, tetanus, influenza, and especially herpes vaccinations are important, not only for the individual mare but for the entire stock. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the mare is not unnecessarily stressed. A stable structure in the herd, a lot of time in the pasture, fulfilled basic needs for light, air and exercise must be ensured. Stable changes or long transportation just before covering or insemination should be avoided.

Veterinary examination

The next step is the veterinary examination. With a breeding suitability examination the mare is checked for recognizable problems. The veterinarian thoroughly examines gynecologically - the external and internal female organs, but also the condition of the mucous membrane and the mammary glands.  Then a swab sample is taken from the vagina or cervix

to prevent possible infections (especially in case of a natural reproduction) but also inflammations of the uterus. 

Keep a calendrical record long before the insemination. The calendars are kept in a three-week rhythm, i.e. during the mare’s cycle time. If you make careful entries in this calendar, you can predict quite accurately when the mare is ovulating. 

Proper feeding

It is also essential to acknowledge the importance of proper feeding. The hormone metabolism is closely related to other metabolic processes. Special attention should be paid to the supply of beta-carotene, vitamin E, zinc and other trace elements, as these are directly related to fertility and the function of the ovaries. The mare should be in good feeding condition at the time of insemination but must not be overweight. This requires foresight in planning, because dieting shortly before insemination can often lead to; cycle disturbances, not clearly expressed heat, and that the mare does not conceive.

If they have to, it is best for mares to go on diet in autumn until winter, and then reduce weight during this time. Additional to that, there is a good chance that the reproduction cycle takes a rest during the diet, which is good at this time of the year.

If the energy intake is increased again at the beginning of the year, ovarian activity is stimulated. If the mares are too skinny, special feed for broodmares should be used in addition to good roughage. Feeding experts or the vet are the best advisors here.

Covering

When all preparations have been made and the mare is in heat, you are well on the way towards insemination or a visit to the stallion. In order for the mare to become pregnant, the ideal time for insemination is very important. The vet can determine the most favorable moment quite precisely by means of an ultrasound examination to check the follicles. Basically, there are two different methods of mating; Natural insemination or artificial insemination. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

When you wish to use your mare for breeding, one of the first things you must do is to decide whether the foal should be registered in the studbook of an association or not. If you would like to have it registered, then you, as the breeder, must be a member of the corresponding breeding association and the mare must also have a breeding certificate. Registration in the studbook should be considered in any case, if the intention is not only to breed the foal for one’s own needs. Many times, the potential buyers pay great attention to the pedigree. 

The horses that are registered through a breeding association have “Including breeding certificate” in their equine passport. If your mare does not have this, the mare must be presented to the association to be assessed. If the mare receives the breeding certificate, she can be registered with the breeding association. This is important because many stallions are only available to properly registered mares. The background to this is that certain criteria must be met in order to achieve real breeding success.

Suitability

The next step is to judge your mare very honestly. A healthy mare with a good exterior has the best chance of giving birth to a healthy foal. Mares with chronic diseases, exterior problems, difficult character and social behavior, or poor riding qualities do not form the best basis for healthy offspring and a reliable riding horse later on. Also keep in mind that the mare should not be too old, as pregnancy is a burden and the fertility decrease with age. The maximum age for a first covering cannot be determined exactly, but from the age of 14 years onwards it can be assumed that the pregnancy rate decreases. The reason for this is that the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus no longer works that well. In addition to this, problems during birth are also more likely to occur.

Remember that, if your mare has to take a longer break or even has to be taken out of sport altogether for reasons of illness, it should always be clarified with the veterinarian whether the illness is limiting the mare’s pregnancy or if it is putting too much stress on the mare herself, for example in the case of tendon damage or joint problems.

The owners can usually judge the mare’s character very well, as they deal with the horse every day. However, the physical characteristics are difficult to recognize, especially if you are new to breeding. Therefore, it is always a good idea to ask for professional advice for the evaluation of the mare.


Prepare Your Mare for a Good Pregnancy

Do you have that one-in-a-million mare, a well-bred mare or are you dreaming of creating your own foal? Then there are a few points to consider before you put your mare in foal, which will help the process for both you and your horse.

By Kerstin Schmidt // Photos: Shutterstock & Canva

Definition of ovulation: Ovulation is the detachment of an egg from the female ovary and its subsequent uptake by the fallopian tube.

Natural covering can be dangerous for horses and handlers, but often have the best results in terms of chance of pregnancy.

Selection of the stallion 

Choosing the right stallion is not easy, especially for inexperienced breeders. Besides the factual things, such as the values from the breeding value estimation (genetic predisposition of a horse that cannot be seen directly on the observed performance), stallion performance and competition successes, it is exterior and interior that should be considered. As far as the performances are concerned, not only competition accomplishments of the stallion itself are interesting, but also those of the offspring. It should also be considered that the mating should ideally retain the strengths of the mare and balance out the weaknesses as much as possible. It is advisable to choose a stallion of equal suitability and breed. In case of opposing mating, for example a small, fine mare with a heavy stallion or a dressage genius with a showjumping star, the outcome is completely uncertain. Keep in mind, that it is always good to have an experienced breeder by your side.

Natural mating

In natural mating, the mare actually meets the stallion. There is either free mating in the pasture or mating in-hand. It is considered the most effective way to get the mare pregnant, simply because the largest amount of semen is transferred without any additives. However, the risk of injury and infection is significantly higher than with artificial insemination.

Artificial insemination

When it comes to artificial insemination, we distinguish between fresh or frozen semen. Insemination is done with the help of a catheter. If frozen semen is used, however, the mare should be kept at an insemination station or clinic. This is the best place to determine the ideal time for insemination. That is done by checking the follicles every four to six hours - also at night. If ovulation is imminent, the sperm is checked for motility and inseminated deep, close to the mouth of the fallopian tube. The secret of insemination with fresh semen is to recognize ovulation one day before. This is when the semen has to be ordered. 

Pregnancy check

No matter how the mare was inseminated, about 16 days later an ultrasound can reliably determine whether she is in foal. If the result is positive, the next examination is 30 days later. The 33rd day is considered the last possible date to terminate a twin pregnancy relatively risk-free (without disturbing the cycle). If the mare is not in foal, the first arrangements for the next insemination can be made.


Health management

When you have dealt with the first two steps, it is time to look at the mare’s environment. The stable where the mare is at home must have good infection control and vaccination management. Regular worming, tetanus, influenza, and especially herpes vaccinations are important, not only for the individual mare but for the entire stock. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the mare is not unnecessarily stressed. A stable structure in the herd, a lot of time in the pasture, fulfilled basic needs for light, air and exercise must be ensured. Stable changes or long transportation just before covering or insemination should be avoided.

Veterinary examination

The next step is the veterinary examination. With a breeding suitability examination the mare is checked for recognizable problems. The veterinarian thoroughly examines gynecologically - the external and internal female organs, but also the condition of the mucous membrane and the mammary glands.  Then a swab sample is taken from the vagina or cervix to prevent possible infections (especially in case of a natural reproduction) but also inflammations of the uterus. 

Keep a calendrical record long before the insemination. The calendars are kept in a three-week rhythm, i.e. during the mare’s cycle time. If you make careful entries in this calendar, you can predict quite accurately when the mare is ovulating. 

Proper feeding

It is also essential to acknowledge the importance of proper feeding. The hormone metabolism is closely related to other metabolic processes. Special attention should be paid to the supply of beta-carotene, vitamin E, zinc and other trace elements, as these are directly related to fertility and the function of the ovaries. The mare should be in good feeding condition at the time of insemination but must not be overweight. This requires foresight in planning, because dieting shortly before insemination can often lead to; cycle disturbances, not clearly expressed heat, and that the mare does not conceive.

If they have to, it is best for mares to go on diet in autumn until winter, and then reduce weight during this time. Additional to that, there is a good chance that the reproduction cycle takes a rest during the diet, which is good at this time of the year.

If the energy intake is increased again at the beginning of the year, ovarian activity is stimulated. If the mares are too skinny, special feed for broodmares should be used in addition to good roughage. Feeding experts or the vet are the best advisors here.

Covering

When all preparations have been made and the mare is in heat, you are well on the way towards insemination or a visit to the stallion. In order for the mare to become pregnant, the ideal time for insemination is very important. The vet can determine the most favorable moment quite precisely by means of an ultrasound examination to check the follicles. Basically, there are two different methods of mating; Natural insemination or artificial insemination. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

A veterinary health check of the mare is important to rule out any possible issues that could occur during pregnancy.

The heat 

The heat refers to the phase in which the mare is ready to mate. She shows this clearly by certain behavior. For example, in the heat the mare not only tolerates the proximity of a stallion, but even actively pushes towards him if possible. If the mare has contact with the stallion, she puts her hind legs wide, raises her tail and holds it to the side. 

If there is no stallion in the vicinity that can show the mare’s state of heat without a doubt, a change in behavior is usually noticeable. Mares in heat are often more difficult to ride, sometimes unruly and irritable in handling. Heat begins with the maturation of the follicle and subsides after ovulation. Ovulation occurs in the last third of the heat. The best time for insemination is one day before the end of the period of heat. The visible duration of the heat varies greatly in mares from three to ten days.

When you wish to use your mare for breeding, one of the first things you must do is to decide whether the foal should be registered in the studbook of an association or not. If you would like to have it registered, then you, as the breeder, must be a member of the corresponding breeding association and the mare must also have a breeding certificate. Registration in the studbook should be considered in any case, if the intention is not only to breed the foal for one’s own needs. Many times, the potential buyers pay great attention to the pedigree. 

The horses that are registered through a breeding association have “Including breeding certificate” in their equine passport. If your mare does not have this, the mare must be presented to the association to be assessed. If the mare receives the breeding certificate, she can be registered with the breeding association. This is important because many stallions are only available to properly registered mares. The background to this is that certain criteria must be met in order to achieve real breeding success.

Suitability

The next step is to judge your mare very honestly. A healthy mare with a good exterior has the best chance of giving birth to a healthy foal. Mares with chronic diseases, exterior problems, difficult character and social behavior, or poor riding qualities do not form the best basis for healthy offspring and a reliable riding horse later on. Also keep in mind that the mare should not be too old, as pregnancy is a burden and the fertility decrease with age. The maximum age for a first covering cannot be determined exactly, but from the age of 14 years onwards it can be assumed that the pregnancy rate decreases. The reason for this is that the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus no longer works that well. In addition to this, problems during birth are also more likely to occur.

Remember that, if your mare has to take a longer break or even has to be taken out of sport altogether for reasons of illness, it should always be clarified with the veterinarian whether the illness is limiting the mare’s pregnancy or if it is putting too much stress on the mare herself, for example in the case of tendon damage or joint problems.

The owners can usually judge the mare’s character very well, as they deal with the horse every day. However, the physical characteristics are difficult to recognize, especially if you are new to breeding. Therefore, it is always a good idea to ask for professional advice for the evaluation of the mare.


Prepare Your Mare for a Good Pregnancy

Do you have that one-in-a-million mare, a well-bred mare or are you dreaming of creating your own foal? Then there are a few points to consider before you put your mare in foal, which will help the process for both you and your horse.

By Kerstin Schmidt // Photos: Shutterstock & Canva

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