The ESB principles of breeding (intro)
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The document discusses the principles and process of breeding horses, including selecting mares and stallions, monitoring the mare's estrus cycle, artificial insemination, ultrasound scans to confirm pregnancy, foaling, and caring for newborn foals. The goals are to maximize the chances of conception and delivery of healthy foals, while ensuring the well-being of the mare and foal. Proper record keeping is also emphasized.
The ESB principles of breeding (intro)
- 2. The Decision to breed Required selection criteria with proven genetic history • Temperament – trainability and responsiveness • Conformation and Soundness • Jumping Ability – technique and willingness • Movement and Agility • Fertility • Proven performance • Constitution, strength and stamina • Bone – circumference of cannon bone The History • Frustration with trying to find a nice horse • To breed or not to breed but which one? • Study and OS trips The ESB Principles of Breeding MARE OWNERS! Consider these factors before deciding to breed. • Purpose of foal • Selection of the STALLION • Selection of the STUD • Condition, history and age of mare • Facilities to foal down • Expertise to handle youngster • Costs - obvious and not so obvious
- 5. The mission is to produce the foals into competition horses of international quality
- 6. GOALS: STUD MANAGEMENT 1. Maximise the chances of CONCEPTION 2. Minimise trauma to humans 3. Minimise trauma to the mare 4. Minimise trauma to the stallion 5. Optimise pregnancy 6. Nurture the foetus 7. Deliver a live, healthy foal 8. Ensure the well being of the foal 9. Ensure the well being of the mare 10. Return the mare to breeding Useful to have an understanding of the Anatomy and the Physiology
- 7. Reproductive Anatomy of the Mare Reproductive Anatomy of the Stallion
- 8. Stud Practises THE STALLION: Selection, health and husbandry THE MARE: Selection, health and husbandry TEASING: To determine the Oestrus Cycle FOLLICLE TESTING: To optimise the time of service SERVING: To mate the mare with the stallion naturally AI: To impregnate the mare with semen, artificially ULTRASOUND SCANS: To confirm pregnancy FOALING DOWN: To deliver a foal HANDLING THE FOAL: Trust and teaching to lead RECORD KEEPING: critical!
- 9. ESB Irish Edition (Irish Sport Horse) Tete de la Course (Thoroughbred) ESB Irish Descent (Irish Sport Horse) THE STALLION: Selection, health and husbandry
- 10. THE MARE: Selection, health and husbandry EMPTY MARES (not pregnant) become DRY MARES when pregnant. Run together, keep light over winter months PREGNANT MARES become WET MARES after foaling. Need a good source of nutrition especially in the last three months of gestation with 75% of foetal growth occurring. SELECTION of temperament and conformation especially important due to influence on the foal.
- 11. TEASING GOALS of teasing: To determine if the mare is in ‘ON’ and in oestrus (season / heat) so ready for mating. METHODS of teasing: These vary but involve introducing a stimuli to the mare to identify the behaviour and signs of oestrus and whether she is going to be receptive to the stallion. THE OESTRUS CYCLE • Occurs every 21 days • The mare is ‘ON’ • Usually lasts for 5 days • Ovulation occurs within the last 24-48 hours. • This phase is longer at the beginning and at the end of each breeding season. Many studs use ultrasound scans to follicle test so they can serve the mare close to ovulation. DIOESTRUS For the remaining 16 days the mare is ‘OFF’ where she has no interest in the stallion * You can’t bring the mare ‘on’ * Mares don’t menstruate.
- 12. The Oestrus Cycle A PROCESS PERFORMED BY THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM WITH THE RELEASE OF HORMONES A. Increasing hours of light are detested by the eye, which sends messages to the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. B. The anterior pituitary gland is then stimulated to release (1) Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH) into the blood stream. 1 1 C. (1) Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH) acts on the ovaries to stimulate the production of egg producing follicles. 1 D. These follicles produce the hormone (2) Oestrogen which is responsible for the behavioural and physical changes during oestrus. 2 2 Is often artificially controlled
- 13. TEASING The signs of oestrus include: • Vulval winking • Squatting • Slight discharge • Tail lifting to stimuli • Raised body temperature • Vulva relaxes, becomes pinker • Teases to other horses and objects • Accepts the stallion • Change in behaviour • Cervix dilates
- 14. Signs of Oestrus
- 15. Signs of Dioestrus Stud work such as teasing and serving can be very dangerous and volatile as instincts take over and horses often disregard their domestic behaviour. Techniques often require active restraints and measures to minimise danger. Mares can sometimes be aggressive when teasing even when they are in season.
- 16. A diary A mare book with a record of everything that happens to each mare, usually allowing at least a page per mare A foaling chart A breeding chart or book A filing system for registration papers RECORD KEEPING
- 17. PREPARING the MARE for natural service • The mare is teased first to empty her bladder for comfort • Tail bandage to keep hairs from getting caught • Vulva and buttocks are wiped clean with water • Lubricating jelly • Mare is restrained with a twitch to prevent injury to her, the stallion and the handler • Don’t use side line, hobbles or boots anymore
- 18. PREPARING the STALLION for natural service • The stallion’s penis is cleaned after teasing the mare • Need to ensure that you have adequate control over the stallion • Check that the mare is secured and in a good position • Wait until the stallion is erect to minimise risk of injury from the mare • Approach the mare at a 45 degree angle on the near side • When the stallion mounts, grab the mares tail out of the way • Support the mare / stallion and check that ejaculation occurs • Wash the stallion with clean water
- 19. SERVING
- 20. PREGNANCY Pregnancy occurs when the sperm of the stallion fertilises the ova (egg) of the mare at conception. The cells multiply and develop into an embryo, which develops into a foetus. This is maintained for the full term or gestation period of 320-360 days (average 11 months and 5 days) and hopefully results in a live foal. No return to Oestrus Ultrasound scan
- 21. FOALING CHECK LIST Nutrition Worming Vaccinations Vulva-caslick; discharge Pitting oedema Bagging up Waxing Colostrum Antibiotics IGG test Foaling alarm Vet on call
- 23. FOALING If the mare runs milk for more than 24 hours then she is losing colostrum which contains essential antibodies for the foals immunity.
- 24. FOALING This stage may last 1 to 4 hours with the mare showing increasing signs of restlessness, flank- watching, discomfort and possible sweating. She may isolate herself from others, lie down and get up frequently. Towards the end of this first stage, the mare's waters will break. She may appear to be continuously urinating a dark coloured fluid without the characteristic stance or winking. MUST be on hand to check the correct presentation of the foal with two front feet and a nose. First stage Don’t wait until the last minute. Be prepared and informed! The cervix, vagina and vulva softens, relaxes and becomes moist. Wave like contractions pass through the uterine walls and pressure is exerted on the foetus to adopt the correct position.
- 25. FOALING
- 26. FOALING Second stage After a short break of 10-15 minutes, a white glistening membrane appears as a balloon from the vulva. Visible straining commences and the mare usually lies down to deliver the foal, which usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Once the foal has been delivered, it is important to break the bag and clear the airway of fluid, ensure the foal is breathing, then stand back. Around 700mls of blood transfers to the foal at this time, so it is important not to break the umbilical cord. Apply iodine to stump.
- 29. Third stage. The final stage of foaling involves the expulsion of the placenta, hippo mane and foetal membranes (the afterbirth). This usually takes between 15-60 minutes, but up to 8 hours is acceptable before manual removal by a vet is required. During this time the mare may roll and become quite colicky as the uterus contracts to expel its contents. FOALING If the mare does not expel the whole placenta within 8 hours then infection is highly likely to result, often leading to post partum laminitis.
- 30. POST FOALING MUST, MUST, MUST! Check the quality of the colostrum and ensure that the foal drinks at least 250mls within 8 hours, otherwise feed it.
- 31. OTHER TIPS: • Fencing • Objects, gates and gaps • Dams and creeks • Other horses • Extreme weather POST FOALING TO ENSURE A HEALTHY FOAL THE FOAL: • Should have iodine applied to the umbilical stump • Should receive antibiotics and possibly tetanus anti toxin • Should have a suck reflex within 20 minutes • Should stand within 40 minutes • Should pass meconium (first poo) within 1 hour of first drink but usually before • Must drink at least 250mls of good quality colostrum within 4-6 hours • Have urinated from the right place
- 33. and visit: www.equinesportsbreeding.com Equine Sports Breeding will look forward to seeing you again!
Editor's Notes
- #2: ESB started in 1986 with the aim of producing the best event horse possible. So many factors need to be considered – genetics, nutrition, space, health and training.
- #4: A breeding program which commenced in 1986 and has since produced over 250 foals.
- #5: The mission is to produce the foals
- #6: Into competition horses of international quality
- #13: The shades of green - turning youth into experienced. When do they stop being green and change colour?
- #18: The shades of green - turning youth into experienced. When do they stop being green and change colour?