Horse Breeding Information about Pregnancy and Foaling

This article gives helpful information to horse owners who plan to get into the breeding game. It specifically highlights frequently asked questions that potential breeders are likely to ask, in articles that are provided for via links that are easily accessed. Such topics include everything a breeder must know about mares, studs and foals and the instruments they need to use while studying them like microscopes, examples of which are stereoscopic microscopes.

There are reasons as to why horse owners want to breed. They might want to carry on a specific bloodline of a prized stallion or mare that they already own. Breeding purebreds also have a certain financial appeal. However, they should take note that breeding is a serious process and they must know the facts before taking the plunge. With the task come great responsibilities and specific skills, as well as physical requirements concerning the equipment to be used in the process ( examples are microscopes) and stables involved.

There is also a scientific element to horse breeding. In order to produce quality foal, breeders may purchase reproductive material from a superior and famous stallion or have their own equally exceptional horse to stud. Genetic and physiologic testing may required which can be done using microscopes like stereoscopic microscopes although this may be optional to serious equine breeders. A combination of skills, supplies and knowledge is key to keeping the animals at their utmost conditions. Must-know topics include proper nutrition of the mare, getting the mare ready for pregnancy and being prepared with a Foaling Kit. The link from the article will lead breeders to a list of what should be included in the Foaling Kit and instruction to keep it handy in the mare’s stable should be kept in mind.

Health care and birth diagnosis of the foal is also included, as well as a link to an article about first-time foaling and what to expect with the very first foal born. There are also links to articles about how to care for an orphaned foal if the need arises and how to hand raise a foal without the mare.

The article goes beyond the care of mare and foal, however, and even touches topics like what is involved should the breeder decide to sell the horse. Experts warn against taxes that breeders may not know about, so it is best to be informed and kept up to date with the laws about equine selling and acquisition pertinent to your states. There is also a link provided on the causes of horse infertility and how these happen. Breeders should know these vital facts so that they will be able to breed horses effectively.

But before doing anything else, this article recommends that breeders evaluate their horses before planning to breed them. This can be done by further studying them using stereoscopic microscopes. Healthy offspring is the major goal in breeding, and owners would want the foals to be as well formed as possible, taking into consideration the parental genetic lineage that mares and studs will be providing. Once owners are convinced that they want to breed, this article and its helpful links are a good place to start. However, the learning process should not stop there. This article highly urges owners and potential breeders to consult with experts such as vets and other breeders.

ORIGINAL TEXT:

Horse breeding is a specialized activity: most horse owners only confront it when they decide to buy from a breeder or when they want to carry on the bloodlines of a favored stallion or mare. There’s so much to know; from the basics of estrus, the actual breeding day or days, pregnancy and gestation to the particulars of producing an ideal foal by choosing the right pair of breeding animals.

Equine breeding is also scientific: you can purchase reproductive material from a famous stallion or put your own superlative horse out to stud after serious genetic and physiological testing. You may decide to designate an especially worthy animal as a broodmare, selling or keeping the offspring to create a new line. Keeping animals healthy until foaling takes place requires another set of skills, supplies and a lot of information.

Horse Breeding, Foaling and Mare Pregnancy Articles
Foal Health Care and Birth Diagnosis
Feeding Your Broadmare Proper Nutrition
Creep Feeders and Building One
First Time Foaling
Be Prepared with a Foaling Kit
Horse Breeding Questions
Getting Mare Ready for Pregnancy
Caring for an Orphaned Foal
What to Expect with Your First Foal
Hand Raising a Foal Without the Mare
Sell a Horse and Taxes
Causes of Horse Infertility

Before Deciding the Breed Your Horse or Mare
Deciding to breed your horse means you’ll want to evaluate his or her health and conformation as thoroughly as possible. You’ll want resulting foals to be as healthy and well-formed as possible, and considering the parentage is key to getting a good foal. If you decide to go into breeding equines as a career or just want to get your horse in foal, you will require a lot of information and advice from experts. Start with the articles here, then move on to vets, breeders and other horse experts. Read the entire article