Stallion Management

Standing at Stud

Genetic Potential Quality traits that can be passed on to his offspring

Racing –Cutting – Reining – Jumping - Showing

Willingness to Cover Mares Individual Libido

Physical Ability to Settle (Impregnate) Mares

Fertility

Stallion Reproductive Exam

Experienced Veterinarian or Equine Reproductive Specialist– 1. Overall General Health Exam– 2. Medical History– 3. Disposition (including libido)– 4. Physical exam of Reproductive anatomy– 5. Physiological exam• Observation of Breeding Process• Semen Evaluation

Semen Evaluation

• Volume of semen per ejaculate• Concentration of sperm in semen• PH of semen• Motility of sperm cells• Morphology of sperm cells• Live – Dead Ratio• Longevity• Contamination [wbc’s (puss) or rbc’s (blood)

present]

Semen Evaluation

Normal Semen Parameters

• Volume - 30 to 250 milliliters• Concentration – 30 to 600 million per ml.• PH – 6.9 to 7.8• Morphology – at least 65% normal• Live/Dead count – At least 65% live cells• Motility – at least 40-50% active motility• Longevity – At least 40 -50% live after 3 hrs,

and 10% live after 8hours (at room temp.)

Stallion Vices Dangerous to Handler or Mare

• Overly aggressive behavior (savaging)• Biting (muzzle or protective leather pad for

mare)• Rearing• Striking

Stallion Biting

Breeding Vices

Vices Dangerous to Stallion

Self Mutilation – Muzzle or neck cradle– Increased exercise– Companion (goat)Cribbing or windsucking– cribbing strap– Plenty of long stem roughageWeaving– Exercise– Obstruction in path

Stallion Cribbing

Vices Detrimental to Breeding Slow Breeder (need for extended stimulation

for erection and mounting or repeated mounts to ejaculate)– Improper prior breeding training– Overly rough handling– Overuse of stallion– Prior bad experience in breeding shedMasturbation (boredom or excess libido)– exercise or prevent isolation– stallion ring or wire brush on belly

Lip Chain on Stallion

Normal Breeding Behavioral Parameters

Number of Mounts per Ejaculate

1.5

Average Time to Mount 5 seconds to 3 minutes

Average time to Ejaculate 20 seconds to 1 minute

Breeding Time From onset of sexual stimulation to completion of breeding

45 seconds to 5 minutes

% of mares pregnant in season65 – 90%

% of mares foaling in a season45 – 80 %

Number of Covers per Week

• Hand Breeding– 6-8 per week

• Artificial Insemination - Every other day collection is the norm

• Pasture Breeding ??????

Number in Foal per Season

Hand Breeding - 40 to 50

Artificial Insemination – 200 to 300

Pasture Breeding – 20 to 25

Isn’t Breeding Horses Fun