A critical factor in the success of a breeding operation is determining the correct time to breed a mare.  Mares have reproductive cycles that average 21 days in length.  The adjective estrous is used to describe these cycles.  The length of the estrous cycle in a mare is 21 days.  As the mare develops a large dominant follicle she will exhibit signs of “heat”, or “estrus” which is when she is receptive to being bred by a stallion.

Last week we discussed preparations of the mare and foaling area in anticipation of Impending foaling. This week we will cover the 3 stages of parturition and what you can expect as your mare moves through these stages. Many mares will foal in the night or early morning. Generally, this is a more calm and private time of day without the disturbances of daily activities. In the wild, mares foal at night to avoid predators.

week in “Foaling Part 1: Foaling Kit and Preparing the Foaling Area” we discussed preparation of the facilities and emergency supplies. This week, we will focus on the mare as she prepares herself for parturition, or foaling.

Even though it may be disguised by snow on the ground and a chill in the air, spring is right around the corner and it is time to think about spring-cleaning around the barn, shed, and feed storage areas.

Preparing for parturition, or foaling in the case of the mare, is an important part of horse production. If the signs of parturition are noticed early, many complications may be prevented which saves horse owners time, money, and potentially, their horses’ well-being. This is the first of a series of articles that will cover important information regarding preparation for, and care during foaling.

Breeding horses is not as trivial as it may seem. In fact, getting mares ready to breed and all the way through gestation is quite a task. Something that all mare owners should consider is a breeding soundness examination (BSE) for their mares. Through this examination, many potential problems can be detected which, in the end, will save horse breeders time, money, and potential heartbreak.

When it comes to horse care, there are a few things that should be reviewed every year.  Among these is body condition scoring (BCS).  As with humans, it may be difficult to select an ideal weight for all horses. Breed influence and bone mass can play a big role in how much a horse might weigh. If you said that all horses should weigh 1200 pounds, then someone raising Belgium Drafts is going to have a lot of very skinny horses on hand, while an Arabian farm might be stocked with horses a little hefty for their frame.

Despite our best efforts to create a safe and healthy environment for our horses, accidents can happen. As a responsible horse owner or caretaker you should have a first aid kit prepared and stored at the barn and in the horse trailer for such events. First aid kits come in handy for addressing minor injuries, or for supporting a horse during an emergency until the veterinarian arrives.

There are a number of unwanted habits that horses may develop in life. One of these habits is cribbing/windsucking. This unwanted behavior is when a horse bites down on a solid object, arches its neck and sucks in air. Usually horse owners find themselves wondering why and how their horse started this habit. There are a number of reasons as to why this may occur. These questions led to a study in 2010 at the University of Liverpool to demonstrate where and how horses develop this vice. Another part of the study was to interview the horse owners and to understand their perception of their horse’s habits.

Traveling to a new location can pose significant challenges to horse health.  Not the least of these is hydration and water consumption. Adding flavors (such as Gatorade or other fruity powders) to a horse’s water is a way to mask taste changes due to pH or other substances, therefore maintaining water palatability and intake at a new location. Horses are often expected to perform their best at new locations such as, shows, trail rides, or rodeos. Knowing taste preferences and how to encourage drinking are important for keeping your horse healthy on the road. A recent study was conducted at Ontario’s University of Guelph to determine horses’ preference and aversion tendencies to water of varying acidic tastes.