Horse breeding and reproduction, For horse owners, the idea of ​​raising their own mare is lovely. The possibility of having a foal with qualities similar to those of its mother or, better yet, has many attractions. Before deciding to breed, it is essential to have prior knowledge about the behavior during normal reproduction, what should happen at birth, and how a newborn foal behaves and develops. For this reason, it is probably best for a beginner to seek professional help to learn about these topics.

Having been responsible for the care of a pregnant mare and the development of her foal, then in the future, it will be easier to take responsibility for a process as complicated as this because the birth of a foal is very exciting. Still, there are many points to consider From the beginning.

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The gestation period of a horse (mare) is 11 months, although sometimes it can last 10 months or extend up to a year. They are sometimes able to reproduce at the young age of 18 months. However, this is very rare as they usually do not reproduce until they are at least 3 years old.

Pregnancy, foals, and their breeding

Most foals are born in the spring, at night, when the herd is unlikely to be on the move and food is plentiful. At birth, a foal’s legs are already 90 percent of the length they will be in adulthood.

The young instinctively recognize the scent of their mother.

Newborn foals cannot eat grass because their legs are too long.

It is not possible to predict a horse’s color when it is still a foal since several changes will occur before it has a fixed color, at approximately 2 years of age.

A mare can give birth in as little as 15 minutes, but she can stop and wait until the observer leaves if someone is watching.

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Horse breeding and reproduction

People handle many young horses raised for domestic purposes for the first few days of their lives to get them used to the touch, sound, and smell of humans.

The first mare’s milk is called colostrum. It is vibrant and protects its young against diseases.

Only one hour after being born, a foal can stand up. After 2 hours, he can run.

What is the best time of year for breeding?

Mares have a natural breeding season; the increased light stimulates receptor centers in the brain, which triggers the production of reproductive hormones. These hormones initiate the pattern of ordinary periods of “heat” that characterize the breeding season each spring. These periods will continue throughout the summer and will cease throughout the fall.

By artificially increasing the amount of light, for example, using electric lights in a barn, it is possible to start the breeding season in advance. This practice is prevalent in producing foals as close to January 1 as possible, which is the official birthday of all thoroughbred racehorses.

The ideal time for the birth of a foal to occur is between May and July, when more grass is available to increase the amount of milk for the mare. Since pregnancy in horses lasts 11 months, the best time to mount the mare is June to August.

Should I breed my mare?

Although horses do not have many reproduction problems, beginners should think twice before breeding their mares. Raising a foal means extra work and requires special facilities, including separate housing for the foal when it is weaned. If the mare is race pure, there may be an economic benefit in breeding. However, it is unlikely that the animal husbandry cross is a financial success. The extra expense is required greater than any potential benefits.

Is my foal good enough to use as a stud?

Very few home-bred foals are good enough to use as stallions, there are many top-notch stallions available on the market, and it is much better to use one of these. In any case, young foals are difficult to handle and are probably better castrated unless there is a specific reason not to. Both foals and stallions need expert handling; therefore, this would be difficult if not dangerous for amateurs and is not recommended.

Should a mare be too young or too old to breed?

Mares often begin breeding later in life and are not adversely affected. Foals are already sexually mature at 18 months of age and can reproduce at 2 years of age. However, they are still growing at this age, and pregnancy can hinder their growth. Ideally, breeding should not be started until the mare is 4 years old, such that parturition occurs at 5 years, although some start breeding at 3 years.

How often is a mare in a season for breeding?

From March to October, the mares show regular periods that last between 4 and 6 days during the breeding season. These are repeated 14 or 16 days after the previous period. Hence, mares have a reproduction cycle of around 3 weeks in duration and may present specific imbalances at the beginning or end of it.

How can I know if my mare is pregnant?

Mares generally do not show great abdominal enlargement until the last 3 months of pregnancy. Mammary development in gilt mares is evident in the last month. Still, in the case of mares that have had multiple calves, breast enlargement may not be apparent until shortly before delivery.

How long is the pregnancy?

A normal pregnancy lasts about 11 months, about 340 days for horses. If the calf is a male, it may take longer to be born than if a female and premature foals can be born and survive under intensive care after 310 days of gestation. In rare cases, foals can take 3 to 4 weeks to hatch.

What precautions should be taken when pregnant with a mare?

Most of the development of a calf in its mother’s womb occurs in the last three months of pregnancy. Mares can be ridden safely during the first 6 months of the gestation period, but after this date, it can even cause the calf’s loss that is about to be born. Besides, extra food is required during the last 3 months, especially rich in protein, to facilitate fetal development.

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Regular exercise is important to keep a mare in good condition, as pregnancy sometimes interferes with circulation in the hind legs. Extreme cold does not seem to have adverse effects on the fetus’s well-being; therefore, the mare should go out to perform routine exercises rather than stay in a stable.