Mr. McFarland Texas A&M University. Answer the questions below about these categories: Breeding...

Mr. McFarland Texas A&M University

Identify the equine breeding season and times between cycles

Identify mare behavior when in estrus Identify ways a stallion can recognize a

mare in estrus Explore field applications of this

knowledge

Horses are long-day breeders Sexually active during spring & summer

Come into estrus every 21 days Stay fertile for about 7 days Breeders can manipulate seasons by

using lights

Visual search – always on the lookout Flehmen response – stallion checks mare

urine for special pheromones pheromones – chemicals released by

repro tract to be detected by male causes stimulation/excitement

Vocalization High degree of excitement when mare in

estrus (heat) is found Nudging – to check posture

Seeks out stallion, stays near Frequent urination in front of stallion

Releases pheromones in urine – triggers Flehmen response in stallions

Flagging Mare raises tail up & down to “signal” to

stallion

Restlessness, running fence, extra movement Research proves females of most species are

more active when fertile Lordosis- stands to be mounted, tail aside

Mare & Stallion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVFxu

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Farm management Don’t keep a mare in heat with a stallion if

you don’t want her bred! Semen collection

Use a teaser mare to arouse stallion Artificial insemination

Signals help breeders know when to palpate and AI

Do other farm animals have similar behaviors?

Breeding season: spring and summer Female behavior: frequent urination,

flagging,unsoundness, lordosis

Male behavior: flehmen response, very active, vocalization, nudging

Why is this important? farm mgmt, semen collection, AI