The Importance of the Dam Line in Horse Breeding
New research shows that, as well as performance, the dam line influences gestation length and the filly to colt ratio. The findings could help breeders choose and better manage their broodmares.
View ArticleEquine Castration
Gelding; the fastest way to loose two stone that you, or indeed your colt, will never put back on! The list of jokes associated with this common procedure is long and varies from a ‘Dad-joke’ level to...
View ArticleFoaling Emergencies
Having a foal on the way is very exciting and, although most foalings go ahead without a hitch, it is vital to be able to recognise a problem early. It is important to understand the normal foaling...
View ArticleCaring for the Mare After Foaling
Every breeding season, there are a multitude of articles written focusing on the health and wellbeing of the foal, but what about the mare? As Dr Katelyn McNicol from WestVETS Animal Hospital and...
View ArticleManaging your Broodmare
Managing your Broodmare Part 1Managing your Broodmare Part 2: The 'Problem' Broodmare
View ArticleThe Ups and Downs of Horse Breeding
Breeding your own horses is an option many horse owners aim to try at some stage. Most owners have a mare that they want to breed from. However, very few owners decide to manage and educate a stallion...
View ArticleBreeding for the Better
Breeding a foal is a decision that requires careful planning and should never be taken lightly. The first question to seriously consider is: Why do you want to breed a foal?
View ArticleEmbryo Transfer: Playing God or Employing Good Science?
The practice of embryo transfer is becoming more and more accessible to breeders as a way of obtaining offspring from mares who might be compromised through age, fertility problems or injury in their...
View ArticleMare and Foal Nutrition Impacts Lifelong Health
Problems associated with excess body condition are well known among horse owners and include insulin resistance, laminitis, osteoarthritis and exercise intolerance. Recent research also shows the...
View ArticleBeyond Genetics: The Importance of Foetal Nutrition
When horses are bred to be ‘genetic superstars’, but fail to live up to their owners’ and trainers’ expectations, the questions that often arise are: Did I choose the best bloodlines?
View ArticleMonitoring Pregnancy and Complications
While most pregnancies will go to term and most mares will deliver a normal healthy foal, it is important to monitor the pregnancy throughout. In this article, Drs Simon Robinson and Elizabeth...
View ArticleFeeding Foals, Weanlings and Yearlings, brought to you by Hygain Feeds
Fewer topics in equine nutrition stir more controversy than feeding the growing horse. Many factors add to the confusion of providing nutrition throughout these critical stages of life. For example,...
View ArticleIt's Foaling Time!
So, it is now time for your mare to foal! All the sleepless nights have come to this. Hopefully you get to witness the event. But, what should you expect? What is normal? What is not normal? Should you...
View ArticleFeeding Stallions, brought to you by Hygain
The goal of any breeding program is to produce strong sound foals. To do this there are several factors involved including genetics, environment and nutrition. Nutrition is a critical piece of any...
View ArticleStallion Fertility Evaluations
Breeding horses will often involve the use of artificial insemination (AI) with fresh, chilled, or frozen semen. Regardless, whether you are breeding your mare using AI or live cover, the goal is to...
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