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Breeding Patterns in Mares and Stallions
Breeding Patterns in Mares and Stallions
Introduction
As far as the stallion is concerned, he is ready to breed anytime and anywhere but the mare is different. She is classified as a seasonal breeder which means she only comes into heat (called estrus) during the seasons of the year which have the longest daylight. During the season she comes into heat she cycles in and out of heat with regularity, only accepting the stallion around the time of ovulation. The times she is out of heat is called "diestrus". During the short day seasons, she does not cycle and usually does not accept the stallion and this time is called anestrus. Though similar to diestrus in that she is not receptive to the stallion hormonally it is much different.
Successfully and econmically breeding mares requires you understand the mares reproductive cycle as the number one reason for delated conception and infertility is poor timing of stallion cover and insemination. In this article we will explain the stallion fertility and discuss the mare's reproductive cycle with an emphasis on successful breeding.
Stallion Factors
Puberty
Puberty is the age that a stallion can first begin to successfully participate in reproduction and should not be confused with fertile. Though quite variable and probably effected by the season of birth the average onset of puberty is around 83 weeks of age. Reports of 14 month old stallions successfully breeding are not uncommon. It is impossible to say exactly when a stallion becomes fertile as full fertility occurs over a period of years. In general it is wisest to not put stallions over a year of age with mares that you do not want bred. However, these young stallions have greatly reduced fertility compared to fully mature stallions.
Maturation and Fertility
Though sexual behavior will frequently start in the mid-teens and sometimes earlier, stallion fertility is very variable until around the 27th month of age and continues to improve up to the 5th year. From the aspect of how many mares can be serviced, stallions 24 months old are considered about half as fertile as when they fully mature. Stallions that are two to three years old should not be used daily as sperm numbers per ejaculate fall below generally accepted fertile numbers with repeated frequent ejaculation.
Seasonal Factors
There is a decline in sperm numbers during the winter but most stallions remain fertile year round.
Mature Stallions
Most stallions remain fully fertile until at least their 16th year. Between the 5th and 16th year they can breed daily, and in some instances twice daily, during the natural breeding season without loss of fertility. Their capacity to settle mares may only be limited by their libido or other behavioral changes that occur in the frequently bred stallion. After the 16th year of age is not well studied. Many stallions continue to successfully breed well into their 20's but the ability to regenerate spermatozoa in fertile numbers should be watched closely in the heavily bred stallion over 20.
Stallion Infertility
For problems with stallions see, Equine Diseases » Reproductive Diseases » Trouble Settling Mares & Stallion Infertility » Stallion Infertility.
Mare Factors
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