Mr. McFarland Texas A&M University
Jan 12, 2016
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
OCeOyk
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