Horse Breeding: When is The Best Time to Breed Your Mare?

Cascade effect is the hormones that control a mare's reproductive cycle are like a waterfall. They are produced in the horse's brain and flow through the horse's body to the reproductive organs. In this report we will endeavour to help you to understand this waterfall phenomenon: what is occurring within your mare and how you can plan your breeding season.

Termed polyoestrous is mares cycle of many times during the breeding season. One cycle is, on average, 21 days long. Within the cycle there is one fertile phase when the mare is considered 'in season'. This normally lasts around 5 days but varies greatly from mare to mare. Fillies usually will start cycling from about 12 months onwards.

The mare's reproductive year can be broken into some phases:

The first is Cycling Phase - when the mare is cycling (each cycle being, on average, 21 days) including the fertile period of approximately 5 days.
The second is Non-Cycling Phase - occurs in winter when most mares don't cycle and are not fertile.
The third is Transition - occurs twice in the year, late autumn and early spring. At these times, the mare can display unpredictable or unusual behaviour. She can also give the appearance of being in season during this transition period, although she is not.

IT COMES DOWN TO NUMBERS

A mare's 21 day cycle is measured from ovulation to ovulation. Day one is the day ovulation occurs. The cycle can be split into two phases:

1. The oestrus phase is the fertile period which lasts from day one until approximately day 5 or 6. It is at this time that the mare is receptive to the stallion.
2. The dioestrus phase is the non fertile period of the cycle. This phase lasts for approximately 15 or 16 days.

IT ALL STARTS WITH THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF

A mare's brain and reproductive tract both create hormones that control her cycle. These are sensitive to the amount of sunlight hours in a day. Melatonin is the 'commander and chief ' hormone responsible for a mare's cycle. Levels of melatonin rise when it is dark. This rise stops reproductive hormones being produced.

When it is light, generally for 16 hours or longer each day during the cycling phase, the level of melatonin drops. This allows the hypothalamus to release a hormone called Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH). Let's break this down a moment. Gonads is the descriptive term for the reproductive organs. Trophin is another descriptive word for growing or nourishing. 'Releasing Hormone' is descriptive of the function that GnRH has - namely to release the hormones from the pituitary gland. (The pituitary gland is located just under the hypothalamus, deep in the brain.) In summary, GnRH is the hormone which gives the command to other hormones to release and grow or nourish the reproductive organs. It's that easy!

The oestrogen is released into the blood stream and stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release more LH, stimulating ovulation.

GnRH triggers the pituitary gland to release two very important hormones:

1. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - this causes the ovaries to grow the follicle (the egg).
2. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) - this causes the follicle to mature and, in turn, start to release oestrogen.

The oestrogen is released into the blood stream and stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release more LH, stimulating ovulation.

OESTROGEN - THE HORMONE OF LOVE

Internally, oestrogen changes the lining of the uterus so it is best able to support the fertilised follicle. Externally, oestrogen is the hormone responsible for your mare behaving in season. Signs can include:

- becoming more docile,
- raising her tail; often to the side,
- standing like she wants to urinate, often for many minutes,
- squatting and urinating frequently,
- heavy, sweet smelling urine,
- winking vulva, and
- leaning into horses, fences and other objects.

Of course signs vary from mare to mare. Some exhibit strong symptoms, others none at all. Mares who have never foaled before, or which have foals at foot, or are kept by themselves tend to show fewer signs. When an in season mare meets a new horse, her behaviour will often become more pronounced.

THE FOLLICLE ERUPTS

The follicle should burst through the side of the ovary leaving a hole. Despite sounding rather gory, this hole (called the corpus luteum) is very important. As it mends (around day 14), it produces progesterone which enables the final phase of the cycle. If the mare is not pregnant the uterus will produce a hormone called prostaglandin. This causes the corpus luteum to dissolve and the cycle to begin again.

WHAT HAPPENS IN PREGNANCY?

When the follicle is successfully penetrated by a sperm, the follicle becomes an embryo. The embryo moves extensively around the uterus for the first 15 days. This is essential - as the embryo bounces off the walls of the uterus it stops the uterus from producing prostaglandin. If there is an area of the uterus where the embryo cannot get to (most likely due to a blockage of some sort), then that area will produce prostaglandin which will terminate the pregnancy and the mare will go back into season.

If the uterus doesn't produce prostaglandin then the embryo will implant into the wall of the uterus at about day 16. Your mare is now pregnant!

The mare is the key.....decide why you want to breed your horse and what will be the intended use of the foal? Consider size. Do you want your foal to be bigger or smaller boned than your mare? Consider height. Is your mare a good height for the activities you plan to do?

Consider your mare's conformation. Does she have a back that is too long or a neck that is too short or crooked legs? Find a stud with the ideal or opposite traits to improve or compliment your mare.

Understand your mare's personality. Is she hot, sensitive and spooky, or is she calm and laid back? If you like her personality traits breed her to a stud with the same characteristics; otherwise, find a stallion that has the personality traits you're wanting.

Determine how the horse will be bred. Will she stay at the stud farm for a certain amount of time or will she come home directly after the breeding? Consider the grazing fees - these often mount up quickly.

Determine if you want a live coverage, fresh, chilled or frozen AI? Determine the stud fee and what happens if you mare does not conceive or loses the foal during or following the pregnancy. For example many studs offer a live foal guarantee - find out what this means to the individual stud - it can vary.

Determine where the foal will be born. Do you have shelter for the mare in bad or cold weather? Does the stallion owner require that you have the mare at a place where she has a foal alarm on to be foaled down and an attendant for you to receive your live foal guarantee (LFG) if something goes wrong?

MAKING CHECK LIST - PRIOR TO SENDING YOUR MARE TO STUD

- Have the mare in great condition - not too fat or too thin as both will cause issues getting your mare in foal.
- Feet trimmed and shoes off.
- Good worming regime so she is in good internal health.
- No health issues i.e. temperatures or runny noses.
- Teeth filed.
- Up to date with all relevant vaccinations.
- Send her up with an old halter - often they don't come back with your one on!
- All breeding info - name of mare, breeding, registration number, vet identification completed if required.
- Certify the mare if you want to register the foal with an organisation such as the Hanoverian Society or Racing Thoroughbred Studbooks. Ensure your mare complies with their requirements.
- Make sure you are aware of all the costs involved.
- Read and sign the stud's contract - any questions, ask (and don't be shy about it)!

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BREED YOUR MARE?

Ovulation usually occurs in the last 24 hours of your mare being in season but this can be variable from mare to mare. Ultrasound scanning has increased the reliability of picking the best time to serve your mare. Stallion semen will last for 48 hours in a mare's reproductive tract. Making sure the mare will ovulate within those 48 hours will increase your confidence that pregnancy should occur. If there is no way to regularly scan your mare, most studs will serve every second day while your mare is in season.

Horse Breeding: Mares in Heat

We are well into summer here in Texas but other areas of the country are still in spring. Mares are starting to cycle and it seems they tend to have more issues in the first few heats of the season. Signs that a mare is uncomfortable include:

• Swishing her tail
• Reacting to touch
• Resisting having her girth tightened
• Soreness in the lower back or flanks
• Leaning against walls or posts
• Colic signs

If these symptoms are related to the mare's cycle they will appear and disappear in conjunction with her cycle every 16 to 21 days. If the symptoms are constant then there is probably another or multiple causes for the behavior.

Many people are quick to reach for a drug to suppress estrus but it is possible for a healthy mare to come into heat without discomfort that will prevent her from performing. Even healthy mares can occasionally have some discomfort during estrus and being aware of this and adjusting the training schedule is all that is needed.

Many estrus problems are related to Liver stagnation and supporting the liver will balance out the hormones. A 10 day course of milk thistle is a good way to support the liver. Dong Quai (tang kuei) is another great herb for liver and hormonal balancing. Herbal products that provide some pain relief as well as liver support such as RelaxHer Blend can be given when needed.

If a mare is performing strenuous exercise such as jumping, racing or cutting they may have a tendency to pull air into the vagina. This can be very irritating and homeopathic remedies such as sepia may tighten the vulva tissue or in some cases a caslicks procedure can be done to seal the upper part of the vulva to prevent air sucking into the vagina.

Mares tend to be sensitive and temperamental so they are not the best choice for every rider. They can also be harder working than geldings when they have a good bond with their person. Treat them with respect and they will perform well even when in heat.

Horse Breeding: Equine Breeding For Beginners

You've got it! That beautiful stallion or mare that is the perfect example of everything a horse of its breed should be. It's got great conformation, a perfect temperament, and has performed well in its chosen discipline. You know this horse could benefit its breed by passing on its progeny.

You've made the decision to breed your horse.

So, now what? Do you follow the old adage and "breed the best to the best and hope for the best?"

Well, while that advice is actually tried-and-true, and certainly not the worst advice in the world, you are going to have to take a few extra steps to make sure the resulting foal is everything you hope it will be. Because the foal will be a blend of both the sire's and the dam's genetics, there are a few things to consider when choosing a good mate for your horse.

o Consider the goal of breeding your horse. In other words, what kind of horse are you breeding for? Do you want to produce a horse for dressage, hunting, cutting, reining, endurance, driving, or one of the other many disciplines? Knowing what kind of horse you want to produce will help you narrow the field as you consider mates for your horse.

o Look at your horse's conformation. No horse is perfect! Take a good look at your horse, and make notes about his good points, as well as what needs improving. Now do the same to the mates you are considering. Eliminate any horse who have weak points in common with your horse, and lean toward those who correct your horse where he is weak.

o Consider the temperament of potential mates. A horse who is easy to work with is just as valuable as a horse with perfect conformation. Because disposition may be genetic, be sure to evaluate the mate's personality. What kind of temperament are you looking for in the foal? Is the mate nervous or confident? Timid or bold? Calm or jumpy?

o Look at prior progeny. If the mate has other offspring, take a good look at them. Did the mate pass along its good traits to its progeny? Did any congenital defects crop up? You can investigate ancestry even further by contacting breeders with the same line. Did the dam, sire, and siblings of the mate you are considering produce successful individuals?

o Investigate the health of the mate. Is the mare or stallion in good health? Look for the normal things, like bright eyes, a shiny coat, and an alert expression. If the animal is under or overweight consider carefully, especially if it is a mare. Mares who are not in good body weight can sometimes have difficulty getting in foal. Make sure the horse is sound and moves correctly. Be wary of horses with injuries, as certain weaknesses can be passed to offspring. You should also make sure the horse has received good veterinary care, including regular deworming and current vaccinations.

o Do a breeding exam. A mare should always undergo a breeding exam before you commit. Maiden mares will need rectal and vaginal exams, while proven mares may need more extensive examinations.

o When you think you've decided, think again! That's right. Before you sign any papers or contracts, make sure you know what breeding entails, including the costs involved. And always, always make sure you have a valid reason for breeding your horse. It is not something to be done lightly! In the end, if you've determined that your horse can contribute the betterment of the breed, you well understand what financial and health risks you'll be up against, and you've found a good mate, go for it!

Horse Breeding: An In-Depth Look At Breeding Horses

Feral and wild horses breed naturally with no problems, but the selective breeding of purebred horses obviously requires specialist human intervention. The mating of two such horses has to be carefully planned, in order to produce the favourable characteristics required. Human management of horse breeding also ensures healthier pregnancies and a more successful outcome for foaling.

In breeding terms, the male horse (stallion) is known as the sire, and the female (mare) is known as the dam. Each plays an equal part in the genetic make-up of any ensuing offspring, so it is important that both possess the desirable characteristics needed. This is especially important to professional breeders, who wish to produce good foals of a certain breed. It is also possible to mate two different types of horse in order to create a new breed, with its own distinctive characteristics.

In horse breeding, there are half-brothers and sisters (horses who share the same mother but have a different father), horses fathered by the same stallion (referred to as 'by the same sire') and ones that share the same mother and father (known as 'full siblings').

A horse owner needs to take several factors into account before deciding to breed the animal, such as:

- Does the breeding partner have excellent genetic qualities?

- Is the animal in good health?

- What purpose will any ensuing foal be used for? Will it be kept or sold on?

- What are the economic benefits for the owners of the sire and the dam?

Furthermore, the owner of a mare will have to take into account the extra added costs associated with seeing their animal through gestation and add to this the very expensive costs of nursing a foal. There are many things to consider, starting with the stud fee. After this, the pregnant mare will require adequate veterinary care throughout her pregnancy, and she will also need proper nutrition - both these things will cost the owner a substantial amount of money. Finally, there is the cost of caring for the foal and mother post-gestation to consider. When taking all these factors into account, it becomes apparent that it is difficult to make a profit from horse-breeding, especially for the mare owner. This is a major factor for horse owners, and many decide not to breed their animals due to the huge expense involved.

A newborn foal is worth approximately three times the cost of the stud fee, and would fetch this if sold immediately after birth. However, if the foal is kept for any longer period of time, the costs of caring for it far outweigh any profits. Sadly, foals bred without careful consideration may end up being sold at a loss, or worse still, being sold for horse meat.

To conclude, horse owners should give careful consideration to whether they wish to breed their animal, what their motivations are and how achievable they may be.

Horse Breeding: Arabian Horse Breeders

Those who first encountered an Arabian horse are aware that something is different about him. It seems - compared to horses of other breeds - rare and exotic, it has come from another part of the world. Arabian horses represent the different and unusual type of horses, they are distinguished from the other horses.

Arabian horses perform an exotic fascination. There are people for whom everything is exotic unpleasant; they are suspicious of everything foreign. These are and will remain grounded and keep familiar. Others are fascinated by the strangeness. Impressions of other cultures, continents and climatic zones contribute to them magnetically. The latter may show more enthusiasm when an exotic car such as the Arabian horse is standing in front of them - a creature of a now-defunct culture.

The Arabian horse is largely a product of its original environment, which was formed by the strict selection process by the hard living conditions in the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Delegates from princes and royal houses purchased Arabian horses from the region of origin, and led them to their new home in order to use it as a finisher in the national horse breeding, but also promote the propagation of.

The Arabian horse has a triumphal march around the whole globe and is now available in more than 50 countries around the world, bred and cared for. Since 1949, the Association of Breeders and Friends of the Arabian horse care breeding organization operating nationwide as its members and advises them on all aspects of breeding, rearing, feeding, husbandry, training and riding the promotion of the Arabian horse. Furthermore, this zoo technical recognizes breeding organizations responsible for the registration of thoroughbred Arabian horses of the Arabian breed, Shagya Arabian, Arabs, Anglo-Arabs and Arab half-breed.

There are many Arabian horses which belong to different racial group. "Arab" is not a generic term for breeding Arabian horses of all directions, even if it is used by outsiders so often. As a race-or better, group term, he would merely serve as a kind of catch-all for all Arabian horses, which can not assign the broad groups of Arabian Horses, "" Shagya-Arab, Anglo-Arab "or" Arab half-breeds ".

One of the most beautiful Arabian horse breed with a nice palomino color is Golden Gayr El (El Gayr or Lady Gold). An Arab has said little sloppy, a horse that is not pure enough for an Arabian, but not enough for an allogeneic blood has Anglo-Arab or Partbred, and because of the very small proportion of foreign blood is not the Shagyas that can be attributed to. In any case, this race is very popular. The composite structures the nationwide breed in different regional groups similar to the provinces, promotes regional activities, seminars and courses as well as dog shows and equestrian competitions in the different disciplines.

Breathtaking radiance and beauty draws many people into their orbit. He keeps and maintains contacts with national and international umbrella organizations and associations and is responsible for implementing national and international events, advertising, breeding advice and assistance in all matters responsible. Before buying some horse like this you must search for many guides which will give explanations about the historical development, the roles and functions of the association which will provide guidance on the breeding objectives of the Arab Association of race and managed to convey a sense of the diverse investment and the specific characteristics of this noble breed of horses in the world, without whose influence can exist in the long run, no other horse breeds. This horse deserves only the best because he is the best.

Horse Breeding: Horse Breeding Overview

Horse Breeding

Nature itself has always had an impact and influence on breeding over the years. In the wild only the strong survived, horses roamed free and were unprotected by man. The stallion (male leader) fought other stallions to protect and maintain his herd. Any weakness threatened his entire lifestyle.

Today man has a major role in breeding, no longer is the need for strength and survival so important. Rather we are able to do selective breeding for traits such as color, breed, conformation and athletic ability.

When horses were first domesticated we either needed them for transportation or as work animals to help on farms. All work was demanding of the horse and man saw what he needed from horses.

Certainly no thoroughbred should endure pulling a tank in the snow for weeks on end.
A heavy set horse is far better suited for that job. And so began the mixing and mingling of bloodlines and breeds.

As we have progressed in life with conquering new lands so we have taken our trusted steed along for the ride. Horses that travelled to distant lands were bred with the native horse of that land. A new breed evolved and man bred to refine the qualities and characteristics.

Horse breeding is natural, but not all horses are meant to be bred. In order for two to make three we need a stallion (male) and a mare (female) which mate. A mare can only be bred with when she is in season. If the covering (mating) is successful she will give birth to a foal (baby) ten months later.

If you are interested in breeding for what ever personal reason, the best place to begin is with a sound, healthy horse. Generally the stallion owner offers his horses services during the breeding season for a fee. If you want to make money breeding then you certainly need to own a stallion that has good bloodlines, good conformation and temperament.

Those three aspects are essential ingredients for breeding. A mare has a little more elbow room in her requirements. This is only because she is going to produce a single foal per year, whereas a stallion is bred to around 40 mares per season with live cover and a lot more when using artificial insemination.

The resulting foal is definitely a combination of mare and stallion qualities, the stallion does not have more influence in the gene pool. You do not need a top competing mare in order for you to breed for a foal. Any horse owner with a mare can choose to breed.

With that said I do not mean that any horse owner should choose to breed. If you are interested in breeding become educated in horse breeding first. Talk to people who have bred, visit stud farms and learn about the industry.
Horse breeding is a fascinating and wonderful career. If you cannot afford the stud fee for the top horses you could investigate working on the stud farm. There are a number of studs that offer benefits and incentives to staff which can include a free service to a mare.

When deciding to breed your horse, know what kind of horse you would like from the match. Know the rules of the horse breed, some horses will not be accepted into the breed registry without specific traits like color. Always look for a stallion that compliments or improves on the qualities of your mare.

Author: Benjamin Wise

Horse Breeding: How To Find The Right Horse Breed for You

Horse Breeding

Horses have been one of the most popular domesticated animals for hundreds of years. In the past, before the automobile and the airplane, horses were on of the most commonly used ways of transportation. However today we see horses primarily used for hobby riding and racing while one very few use them as actual transportation.

Horses were not just owned by a geographically small group of people but by people from all over the world. Horses have not been used for the same kind of labor all around the world and that, together with the different climates, resulted into many different types of breeds. There is however only three main categories in which all horses can be grouped: Pony, Light and Heavy classes. If you don’t know anything at all about horse breeds then this will be a good place to start.

Besides these three main categories you will find that horses can be grouped into a much larger amount of sub categories. To name a few examples you will find sub groups such as Warmbloods, Gaited horses and Draft horses. But in order not to confuse you if you are new at this will stick to just the three main categories I mentioned earlier.

When I now go into the three different types of horses I hope to give you a better idea of what kind of horse will suit your situation and you will know what type will be good for children to ride, what will be an all family horse for riding, what you need if you want a racing horse and last but not least what type of horse will assist you the best if you need a working horse.

The Pony Category

A pony is a very popular horse and one of the best know and also one of the smallest is the Shetland pony. Because of its minimal size this is a great horse for children. Shetland ponies are normally peaceful and calm animals and because of that they are great with children. Unfortunately it can become feisty occasionally and it is recommended that children are always supervised by adults.

If you have teenagers or fast growing younger children you might want to go for the Connemara pony instead. The pony is a bit larger than the Shetland and this together with the Welsh pony (somewhat larger than the Shetland pony) will be perfect for young children.

The Light Horse Category

If you don’t know that much about horses you might make the mistake of believing that a miniature horse and a pony is the same thing but they’re not. The Miniature horse doesn’t share the same characteristics as the pony but I won’t go into all the specific details here. You will often find miniature horses around children and disabled humans.

The most commonly known horse is an Arabian and it actually falls into the category of light horses. The characteristics of the Arabian horse are that it is sweet, graceful and very loving but it is also extremely fast and very attractive. There really isn’t anything negative to say about the Arabian because what more could you want from a horse? Because of its speed and endurance it is often used for racing.

The Heavy Category

In the heavy category there are only two types of horses. One is called the battle horse and the other is called a draft horse. Battle horses were normally used in warlike situations and were trained to be a part of battle.

The draft horse on the other hand was trained to work on farms pulling wagons and carts. You can call them the typical work horse.

You might have heard about the Clydesdale horse and it is probably one of the most popular draft horses there is. Not only will you find it very attractive but it has also been bread to work hard, while maintaining its friendly nature and therefore it’s also a good horse for riding.

Other popular draft horses are the Belgian, the Shire and the Suffolk Punch horses.

To mention one of the horses used for war the Lipizzaner is probably the one that were used most often. But the horse breeds that I have mentioned above is just a very few of the many different types and breeds there are.

I hope to have given you some inspiration as to what category horse you are looking for but I would also encourage you to meet with any horse you are thinking of purchasing. Interaction will the horse is what really counts and you and your family needs to visit the potential new horse before you can make a good decision.

If you want to know more about horses and horse breeds you can come visit us at HorseTrailerUniverse.com where you will find everything from different types of horse breeds to information about buying a used horse trailer. You will also find information about horse nutrition and health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hank_Westwood

Horse Breeding: Knowing Different Horse Breeds

Horse Breeding

There are well over a hundred different horse breeds in the world, and it may be impossible to get to know every single of them. But, if you are a true horse-lover, you may already know a vast number of them and are still keen to know more.

Humans and Horses

To understand horse breeds, it is important to first understand how the relationship between humans and horses began. Believe it or not, horses first became valuable to humans because they produced milk and could be eaten. Later on, however, humans realised that horses were strong and fast and began to use them to carry or draw loads and as a mode of transportation.

Nowadays, specific horses are bred for specific purposes. They are no longer just used to do labors. Rather, they are more often kept for sports or leisure riding.

Horse Breeding

In order for the new-born horses to carry certain traits, breeders usually need to select specific male and female horses with the desired characteristics to mate. With the success of purposeful breeding, more horses are now bred in planned ways to meet specific needs. A widely known example is the racing horses. In fact, there are different registries around the world that document the various horse breeds.

To know about the different horse breeds is probably a hard mission for an average person, but a true horse-lover can usually tell a lot of the breeds. This is especially true for someone who is fond of horse racing or simply would like to get himself a horse. Often, knowing the breed of your horse would tell you what the horse is capable of doing and whether its price is truly justified.

Classification of Horses

Although there are many horse breeds, horses are generally placed under three main groups - pony, light, and heavy horses.

Most of us would probably already be familiar with ponies. These are definitely the smallest of horses. Some would even not consider them horses at all. Even so, ponies can be as hardy as other horses. Some breeds can carry adult riders and pull heavy loads. Because of their size and mild nature, ponies are often kept as pets by children. Examples of pony breeds are the Shetland and Welsh ponies.

Light horses are also strong like ponies but they are definitely taller, faster and have a sleeker look. Most light horses are used for riding and racing. In some cases, breeds of this kind also help with cattle rounding and carriage pulling. Examples of light horse breeds are Arabian, Thoroughbred, Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, Morgan and Standardbred.

Some horses belong to the heavy group. In the past, these horses were used for war. They were also used for carrying and pulling heavy loads. Heavy horses are therefore ideal for farm work. They are large but have well-formed, powerful muscles, shoulders and legs. Heavy horse breeds include Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron and Lipizzaner.

With the many different horse breeds, there is definitely a horse for every horse lover. Do remember though that horse breeds that belong to the same group may also have different traits of their own.

We have just discussed the basics of different horse breeds. If you are interested, you can explore more from our online guide about horse breeding. You may also like to check out our complete online horse guide for just any horse-related topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Powell

Horse Breeding: Breeding With Your Mare

Horse Breeding

Horse Breeding is not as simple as it used to be, leaving it up to nature. For centuries man has chosen to breed selectively and in order to do so, he has developed several techniques to improve and ensure the success.

Breeding with your mare can be a simple endeavor or a technical one; it depends on your individual role. A horse breeder has countless duties and I will only condense a few in order to help explain the covering process to you.

As an owner of a mare your responsibilities and duties do not have to be very involved and complicated. Stud farms are built and developed specifically for breeding purposes. Once you have chosen a stallion you arrange with the stud farm what the specifics are.

You can either stable your mare at the farm where the stallion resides; you can transport your mare to the stallion on the day of cover and take her home the same day; or if artificial insemination is your choice your mare can stay where she is and the semen is shipped to you.

Live cover is when the stallion mounts the mare and covers the mare. The staff will prepare the mare by washing her vulva (private parts), bandage her tail and possibly give her a tranquilizer. Once she is ready to be covered they may hobble her, a restraint used to prevent the stallion from being kicked.

The stallion is lead by a skilled handler to the mare and covering takes place. The mare will be returned to a field or stable after covering, some studs may inject her with a hormone that will have her ovulate soon after covering. The stallion will cover the mare once.

If the mare is staying at the stud she will be teased in the following days to observe that she is in dioestrus - no longer in season. Depending on the studs routine and way of doing things, the mare may be covered by the stallion again during her season.

A veterinarian will palpate and scan the mare in about 15 days from her covering. If the mare is not staying at the stud farm it is important that you schedule this appointment with your veterinarian to see whether she took and is in foal. If she is not in foal she will need to be covered again in her next cycle.

With artificial insemination the stallion will mount a mare or a phantom mare and ejaculate into a tube. The semen is then stored at the correct temperature and can be inserted into the mare at the most optimal time of her reproductive cycle. The mare can stay at the stud or never set foot on the stud and come into contact with a stallion.

When you select to have a foal via artificial insemination it is very important to ask the breeder some questions as to the fertility of the stallion's semen. Some sperm just simply do not travel well, you do not want to pay for the semen and receive a shipment that has no live sperm to inseminate.

Once your mare is in foal, there is still a long road ahead; she carries the foal for 12 months. She will have veterinarian exams to check that the foal is growing up until 90 days; thereafter it is a waiting game.

Horse Guide.

Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about breeding with your mare. Learn about Horse riding safety.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_Wise

Horse Breeding: Becoming a Equine Breeding Manager

Horse Breeding

For many horse loving individuals that grew up around horses and trained horses seem to find that breeding is only a natural progression for them. What many people do not realize, however, is that becoming a breeder or breeding manager takes a lot of man-hours, a lot of capital and a lot of dedication.

Most businesses will inevitably be in the red their first few years in business. In fact, the IRS has a rule that as long as you make a profit for 2 out of 5 years you are doing well. They have made a special rule for horse breeders. If you are able to make a profit 2 out of 7 years you are doing pretty well. Horse breeding involves a significant amount of money to invest as well as time. This career should not be pursued lightly, but with a lot of thought out planning.

A breeding operation can be as simple as a single stallion farm with a few mares. Some breeders do this in addition to their hobby farm horse training business. Those who are completely committed to breeding, do not have a lot of time for anything else. This job is not for an amateur. You must have horse knowledge, excellent handling skills to handle excited stallions and grumpy mares as well as be knowledgeable about the actual breeding practices, lab work, sales, marketing and business management – accounting most of all.

A degree in equine reproduction, equine science or agribusiness is extremely helpful. You may also consider taking courses in AI and semen collection, because more and more breeders are moving in this direction. Mare owners want to be able to breed their mares to the best stallions without having to haul there. In fact, many breeding barns wait day and night for the phone call to collect the stallion and get the semen on the next flight to wherever the ovulating mare is. Some farms do all artificial insemination because it is so risky to do live cover with multi-thousand dollar horses.

The average breeding manager is on call 70 to 90 hours per week. They may have 120 mares that need to be palpated, inseminated, palpated some more and so on until they begin to show signs of parturition. Then begins the long hours of foal watch day in and day out until the foals hit the ground.

Aside from all the stress, however, you do get to be a part of the creation of some of the most beautiful creatures on earth. This is often enough reward for breeding managers.

To contribute your expertise on equine breeding or other equine related topics, please stop by and visit our wonderful equine community at http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums

Where we always leave the barn door open on purpose for new friends.

Ron Petracek is the current article director for a rapidly growing equine social network community.He was raised in southern Idaho with a beautiful jet black morgan as his adventure companion, and the snake river within a easy ride. horses and the outdoors are a solid part of his life. For more great information and FREE equine classifieds! Everything from horses to trailers & tack please visit. http://www.EquineMiniMart.com

If you would like to help others learn more about horses than stop by our beautiful and friendly equine forum http://www.horsechitchat.com

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Horse Breeding: Horses - Breeds, A To Z

Horse Breeding

A horse is a horse of course of course. Right? Well, not exactly. There are more breeds of horses than Carter has liver pills. We're just going to touch on a few examples here, otherwise we're going to need a book about 2000 pages long.

For example, and we'll just start with the letter A, there is the Australian Stock Horse. This is one of those horses that arose from selective breeding due to the demands of the environment. The history of this breed actually began in 1788. When the first breed of horses was brought to Eastern Australia by the First Fleet. These horses were of mixed English Thoroughbred and Spanish stock and they were hardy enough horses that they were a perfect choice for the cavalry.

Moving along to the letter B, we have the Basotho Pony. This horse is found only in Lesotho, which is in South Africa. The horse is used almost exclusively for riding. The breed itself was developed sometime after 1825 from the Cape Horse. By the start of the 20th century this breed almost completely disappeared due to exporting of the horses and cross breeding with Arab and Thoroughbred horses. Fortunately, during the later part of the 20th century, a society was formed to revive the breed.

One of the most famous breed of horses starting with the letter C is the Clydesdale. This horse was developed in a district of Scotland. It is a heavy draft horse breed. The breed itself was developed by farmers in Lanarkshire, which is the old name for Clydesdale. This horse was mainly bred to meet the agricultural needs of farmers. The Clydesdale is a real work horse. Make no mistake about that.

The letter D gives us the Dartmoor Pony. This horse is one of nine breeds that are specific to the British Isles. This particular breed comes from a barren moorland called Dartmoor, which is located in Devon, England. These are very old horses which go all the way back to the reign of King Henry I. Today, Dartmoor Ponies are found all over Great Britain as well as countries like France, Sweden and Germany.

Moving along to the letter E, we have the Eriskay Pony. This particular pony is the only surviving variety of the Hebridean pony. It is found on the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland. Today this particular breed of pony is almost extinct. Recent DNA testing of these animals show that they are of very ancient origin. These horses are mostly used for transportation and common chores such as pulling carts and even taking children to school.

And in case you are wondering, yes there are breeds of horses that begin with the letter Z. One of them is the Zaniskari Pony, which is found in Northern India. This particular breed is what is called a riding and pack breed.

Yes, there are more breeds of horse than you can possibly imagine. If you're interested in doing more research on these animals you can do so by going to http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/Horses-w.htm. You'll have enough to read to keep you busy for many years to come.

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Horse Breeding: Horse Breeders - How to Promote Your Business on the Internet

Horse Breeding

The horse breeding industry is highly competitive. Breeders need to be not only the best at what they do, but also first at successfully marketing themselves to potential buyers. And though the number of horse buyers is growing moderately, the customer base isn't massive, so you need to be on top of all facets of your advertising marketing - especially online.

Advertising online is probably the best way of making contact with potential horse buyers, competitors and enthusiasts in a fast, easy and convenient way. A few clicks of your mouse could put you in contact with all the right people, post videos of your horses online, scan your race or division awards, and even get your horses listed on popular online horse auctions.

In fact, online advertising is becoming more popular than any other means of advertising. Because your customer base is so specialized, they're likely to be searching for you online, so why aren't you there? Keep reading to learn where you need to be in order to build your horse breeding brand online today.

Online Profiles

With the accessibility of the Internet today, buyers are turning to the Internet to browse for potential horses or parents. Websites like FindAPetOnline.com or Horsecity.com give you a chance to advertise your horses, post a profile advertising your breeding business, throw up video of your horses in action and, of course, interact directly with potential customers.

Having your own space on established websites dedicated to breeding horses not only gives you an instant web presence, but does so in a "neighborhood" that's horse specific.

Online Classifieds

Advertising through online classifieds, either on a pet-specific site like Find a Pet Online or more generic classifieds' sites are a great way for you to tell people about your horses. Buyers usually check the classifieds when looking for particular horse breeds, so be specific in your listings and always includes lots of photos along with a link to your online profile.

Basically, when it comes to online advertising, the more information the better. Include tidbits like the horse's name, registration data, parentage, description of the horse's habits, health, personality, shows participated in and prizes won if applicable, and the price of the horse. Finally, remember to include all your contact information.

Community Review Sites

Community reviews and online rating systems are becoming increasingly popular. Community reviews help you to attract more customers, particularly if a satisfied buyer leaves good reviews about you. Prospective buyers will look at your ratings and good feedback as a signal that you are an honest and commendable horse breeder.

Social Networking

The potential customers available through the Internet are seemingly limitless. Signing up in the social networking websites is one of the easiest ways to get your horses advertised online as well as get linked up with other industry professionals and critical contacts. While sites like Facebook or MySpace offer a more casual networking environment, sites like LinkedIn are targeted specifically towards professional and business networking.

Advertising online will give your horse breeding business that extra push - opening you up to a literal global marketplace. Remember, online advertising gives you the ability to expand your base of suppliers and customers not only within your locality, but all over the world.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 430 pet breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html

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Horse Breeding: Horse Racing Luck Starts in the Breeding Shed and on the Farm

Horse Breeding

For many horse racing fans and handicappers the world of thoroughbred breeding is a murky land of wealthy owners, eccentric breeders, and great sires and dams. Most of the information about this starting point of horse racing comes from the short articles in the form and newsletters they receive or the tear jerking human interest stories we get once a year from the major networks who carry the Triple Crown races.

The truth of the matter is that horse breeding and racing is a business and as such, it is done for profit. The people who control the business, or at least steer it, are the ones who pay big money for stud fees and who buy the weanlings and yearlings. While the horseplayers support the racing industry with their bets, wealthy owners support the industry with their fees. For many owners, race horse ownership is an expensive hobby that doesn't pay for itself. The money they spend every year helps the breeders to know how to plan their own breeding programs.

Sometimes the breeder makes a great move and spots a fantastic foal that he or she keeps for his or her own racing interests. But often the breeder will spot a standout foal and still let it go to auction. The reasoning is that the foal will boost the stallion's prestige and in turn his stud fees. It is good luck to have a foal go on to win a grade 1 race because that is the most prestigious mark of a great sire.

When Da'Tara won the Belmont, many people wondered if the breeders, WinStar Farm's Bill Casner and Ken Troutt, who had sold the colt for $100,000 regretted letting the grade 1 winner go. Of course it would have been fun to stand in the winner's circle at Belmont Park as the owners of the Tiznow colt that wired the field at 38-1, but the owners understand that breeding is a business and in order to promote Tiznow as a stallion, the foals must make it to the sales ring. That is good business for their farm and good for the industry.

While some people may think it unlucky that they also sold Da'Tara's dam before her offspring won the final leg of the Triple Crown, the owners philosophically point out that they also sold Funny Cide and he went on to win the Kentucky Derby. Selling horses is what they do and that is the thoroughbred breeding business. The luck isn't in whether or not you sell a great horse, its whether or not your stallions produce great horses for you to sell. As for the stallion Tiznow, it appears he is their lucky charm and he is still in their barn.

The most consistent horse racing systems have to have the basics and a handicapper must understand the basics. I have been around horse racing for 50 years including as an owner. Without the basics the rest is not going to do any good. If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://williewins.homestead.com/truecb.html and get the truth.

Bill Peterson is a former horse race owner and professional handicapper. He comes from a horse race handicapping family and as he puts it, "Horse Racing is in my blood." To see all Bill's horse racing material go to http://williewins.homestead.com/handicappingstore.html, Bill's handicapping store.

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