Breeding Efficiency Analysis Useful for Breeders

If a horse farm experiences consistently low conception or foaling rates, it is likely that a step in breeding management is the cause rather than the breeding efficiency of the mare, according to Dave Freeman, PhD, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist.
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If a horse farm experiences consistently low conception or foaling rates, it is likely that a step in breeding management is the cause rather than the breeding efficiency of the mare, according to Dave Freeman, PhD, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist.

"To promote good conception and foaling rates, the horse breeder first must identify the farm's efficiency status and compare it to a realistic optimum," said Freeman

The first item to review is the farm's pregnancy rates. To find a pregnancy rate, take the number of mares in-foal and divide by the number of mares bred, then multiply by 100. Pregnancy rates can be affected by many factors including the reproductive status of mares, the age of mares, and the time of breeding in relation to the estrous season.

"Early season pregnancy rates may be lower because of transitional estrus irregularities in some mares," Freeman said. "In addition, the number of mares handled and bred on a farm can affect pregnancy rate if stallion semen production, time, or labor constraints result in poor management

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