Recent News for Breeding Basics
Article
Knowing Signs of Approaching Foaling Useful for Horse Breeders
March 06, 2011
Expected birth date is an age-old question for horse breeders tending to four-legged mothers-to-be. Most mares are bred naturally in a scheduled breeding with the stallion or through artificial insemination. Dave Freeman, PhD, Oklahoma State ... Read More
Article
Uterine Ultrasound, Cytology Helpful in Pinpointing Pathogens (AAEP 2010)
March 04, 2011
When it comes to a mare's uterus, ultrasound examination and cytology (examination of cells under a microscope) can give a veterinarian a pretty good picture of what's going on inside that could be confounding conception. However, comparing these ... Read More
Article
Increase in Cases of Placentitis Reported in Kentucky
February 25, 2011
The University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is reporting an increase in the number of cases of fetuses and placentas submitted to the laboratory and diagnosed with nocardioform placentitis.... Read More
Article
Superstar Mating: Rachel Alexandra Bred to Curlin
February 21, 2011
Two horses crowned as Horse of the Year were bred Feb. 21 when female superstar Thoroughbred Rachel Alexandra was mated with the stallion Curlin. The mating took place at 9 a.m. (EST) at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.... Read More
Article
Nature vs. Nurture and Horse Health (AAEP 2010)
February 17, 2011
The phrase "nature vs. nurture" is usually used to refer to the debate over which has a greater impact on a person's personality and preferences--genetics or environment/rearing. But for this article, we'll use it in the context of fetal programming,... Read More
Article
Cryptorchid Colt, Missing Equipment?
February 01, 2011
My newborn colt's testicles and umbilicus are set way back and the veterinarian can't feel the foal's penis. ... Read More
Article
Young Horse Development: Birth to Six Months
February 01, 2011
Learn about the factors contributing to a foal's healthy development as he grows into a young horse: Genetics, nutrition, social development, immunity, growth rates, weaning, hoof care, and more.... Read More
Article
A Chip Off the Old Block: Equine Cloning
February 01, 2011
In this article we'll explore how horses are cloned, why this process is becoming increasingly popular, how closely cloned offspring resemble the original animals, and potential perils and pitfalls.... Read More
Article
Postpartum Problems in Mares
February 01, 2011
Post-foaling problems caused by dystocia and other factors can be serious and immediate treatment is critical.... Read More
Article
Manual Reduction of Twins in Mares (AAEP 2010)
January 30, 2011
While a mare with twins by her side is rare and sometimes celebrated, twinning in horses is actually dangerous for the mare, especially during delivery. More often than not, one of the twins, generally the smaller and weaker of the two, will die ... Read More
Article
Animal Genetics Testing Lab Celebrates 25th Anniversary
January 28, 2011
This year the University of Kentucky's Animal Genetics Testing & Research Laboratory (AGTRL) will celebrate 25 years of offering a variety of genetic testing services to horse owners and breed registries. Established in 1986 and formerly known as the... Read More
Article
Kentucky Breeders' Incentive Panel Adopts Changes
January 27, 2011
A committee that advises the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KRHC) on its breeders' incentive program met again Jan. 25 and approved three additional recommendations for ways in which the program should be changed.... Read More
Article
Equine Abortion of Unknown Cause
January 22, 2011
Pregnancy loss is relatively common in horses. Only 80% of mares bred give birth to a live foal at term. The loss of the developing foal (fetus) during gestation can fall under one of two categories: early embryonic loss, in which the loss of a fetus... Read More
Article
Mare Reproductive Health Gets Help From Newly FDA-Approved Drug
January 05, 2011
After years of intensive research, a product called SucroMate has achieved the coveted status of FDA-approved for reproductive health in mares. This is no easy feat as only two veterinary drugs obtained FDA approval in 2010. SucroMate is licensed to ... Read More
Article
Breeding Efficiency Analysis Useful for Breeders
January 03, 2011
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 ... Read More
Article
Rachel Alexandra's First Breeding: One for the History Books
January 02, 2011
Amidst all the hoopla surrounding Zenyatta's retirement and the speculation regarding the identity of her first mate, last year's Horse of the Year has been all but forgotten. Yet Rachel Alexandra also occupies a unique place in racing history, and ... Read More
Article
Fescue: A Danger to Pregnant Mares
January 02, 2011
In many parts of the world horse pastures contain a fair percentage of fescue, a hardy perennial grass that thrives despite heavy hoof traffic, intense grazing, and adverse growing conditions. Unfortunately, there's a drawback: 75% of all fescue is ... Read More
Article
Feeding Foals
January 01, 2011
A foal's diet during the first year impacts his musculoskeletal health and future athletic performance.... Read More
Article
Equine Dystocia Advancements
January 01, 2011
Better understanding of dystocias and the urgency for vet intervention means more mares and foals can survive.... Read More
Article
Blood Test to Detect and Monitor Pregnancy in Mares
December 29, 2010
Veterinarians and breeders can now detect pregnancy in mares using an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test that detects estrogen molecules in a mare's blood sample and is cheaper and easier to perform than an ultrasound.... Read More
Article
XY Sex Reversal in Horses: The Genes Behind the Switch
December 27, 2010
Veterinary researchers have taken a leap forward in explaining XY sex reversal, the most common equine sex chromosome abnormality. A team of scientists from the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center and the College of Veterinary... Read More
Article
Genetic Mutation Caused Nonhereditary White Coat Color Pattern
December 26, 2010
Researchers recently discovered a new genetic mutation in a Thoroughbred foal that was born with large portions of nonpigmented skin. Whether another horse with the the same rare mutation will be born is unknown, but the discovery has fueled ... Read More
Article
Tying-Up in Thoroughbreds: Narrowing the Genetic Search
December 24, 2010
Researchers suspect tying-up in horses is a heritable condition; however, they have yet to determine the gene--or genes--responsible. But a team of Japanese researchers recently moved the investigation forward with a groundbreaking study of affected ... Read More
Article
Navicular Disease: Researchers Identify Potential Genes Involved
December 22, 2010
A team of German researchers might have pinpointed the genes responsible in part for the development of navicular disease as the result of a study of Hanoverian Warmbloods. ... Read More
Article
What's In Your Horse's DNA?
December 01, 2010
Geneticists have created tools and tests that enhance horse breeders' ability to select for healthy foals.... Read More
