|
|
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Through visiting many of the local breeding farms recently, I am reminded at how close we actually are to the foaling and breeding season. It is hard to believe all the “babies” running around are weaned and grown, and a new batch will be arriving shortly.
It is this time of year where I take some time to reflect on many of our reproductive techniques and shift my focus into gear. While reading through the literature, I can’t help but to think of all the things our clients could be doing at home to prepare. Here is my short list-
1. Lights! Breeding a barren (not pregnant) mare will be much easier in the Spring season if they are exposed to longer durations of light now. Leaving the lights on in your barn for 18 hours/day will transition your mare out of the inactive winter period into the reproductively active Spring period. This will allow an earlier breeding, and fewer nonproductive ultrasound exams.
2. Preparation! Do you know who you will be breeding your mare to? Artificial or natural breeding? Fresh or frozen? Where is the stud located? Have you checked with your vet or local CFIA office to get information on semen import permits?
3. Preventative health planning. For pregnant mares, vaccination and deworming should be scheduled for 1 month before foaling. For barren mares, it is best to have them vaccinated and their teeth floated before breeding to reduce the risks associated with early pregnancy.
4. Education! By familiarizing yourself now with the general breeding process, including timelines, costs, and complications, you can manage your expectations and reduce surprises. Happy foaling/breeding season to everyone!
Elisha Dickinson DVM January 18,2010 |
|
There are no comments yet for this blog