The horses' lap. The subtleties of the process

Recently, it has become fashionable to keep small stables. I must say that the occupation is very profitable and brings a lot of income to its owner. However, the costs are also far from being cheap. Therefore, those who decided to try their hand at breeding thoroughbred horses, well, should imagine what it will cost him such a pleasure. Quality animals, which fully comply with generally accepted standards, willingly buy both for racing and for personal maintenance. To make such a business profitable, foals should be born strong and without defects. A huge role in this case is played by the mating of horses.

Like any female mammal, the mare regularly undergoes a period of readiness for mating and conception of the fetus. For professionals this time has the name of hunting. Usually it lasts for a week, but there are deviations from the norm (from 1 day to 13 days). The sexual cycle of the mare is a period from one hunt to another. As a rule, the animal begins to show interest in stallions in a couple of weeks after the birth of the baby. However, sometimes this period is reduced to 7 days. So, how do the horses mate? What are the nuances that breeders need to take into account to make their business flourish?

The breed of horses will always depend on the conditions of keeping the animals, and also on the degree of their physical loads. If the mare is regularly exposed to work, as well as her nutrition is unbalanced in vitamins and trace elements, she will show much less willingness to hunt than compared to those females with the best care. And the foals from the "driven" horses will be born weak.

Before the pairing of horses, the breeder must make sure that the mare is ready to let the male come to him. For this purpose, a so-called control test is carried out. Mare, which should begin the hunting period, is placed behind a special hedge. They are brought to the stallion, which has a low productive value (it is not worth risking especially important for breeding individuals, as females can behave aggressively and severely injure the animal). Such a horse has the name of a probe. The following reactions may occur in mares:

• Presses his ears and shows in every way dislike;
• Does not drive the male, but does not show any special interest to him;
• Behaves amiably, invitingly raises his tail;
• Both previous signs plus the animal begins to urinate.

Horses can only be started if there are two last cases. However, the most accurate results are given by rectal examination. The condition of the mare's ovaries will accurately show whether it is ready for mating or not. The match is conducted on the second bitches after there were obvious signs of hunting. 24 hours after mating, another control mating is carried out. Horses then need to be checked for conception, and then brought to a separate room, where they will be followed by special care. Mares in the period of bearing of the colt should receive the nutrition most enriched with all necessary substances, and also more often and longer rest.

As for the stud stallion, it is mandatory for him to give at least one day of respite within a week (provided he is regularly used). During the slaughter company, the horse needs to be prepared in a special way. They begin about two weeks before mating. The diet of the stallion should be diversified with fish oil, as well as peas. This will improve the quality of sperm. The company itself, as a rule, is appointed for the period from April 15 to August 1. If you start the pairing procedure later, the brood may be the result of a weak one.