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Breeding — The Goal of Getting in Foal

Mare Care

Breeding — The Goal of Getting in Foal

There’s nothing more gratifying for a breeder than a promising new foal hitting the ground, but a successful outcome starts months prior. The initial breeding and identifying the time of ovulation are crucial for a successful outcome. Most breedings will result in conception when they occur 24 to 36 hours before ovulation or the day of ovulation.

During winter and early spring before your mare is bred, open mares experience winter anestrus followed by a transitional period preceding the onset of regular estrous cycles.

OPEN MARES

  • Mares have a 21-day estrous cycle.
  • Behavioral estrus (heat) lasts five to seven days.
  • Ovulation occurs one to two days before the end of estrus.

There are several tools you can use to approximate ovulation and help facilitate scheduled breeding, including:

Your best resource for breeding management is your veterinarian. He or she can accurately predict ovulation and help you more efficiently manage your breeding program.

Put your mare’s cycle on your schedule.

As the synthetic form of progesterone, progestins have several applications in a breeding program:

  • Suppress estrus in mares.
  • Facilitate attainment of regular cycles in the transitional mare.
  • Facilitate management of the mare exhibiting prolonged estrus.
  • Facilitate scheduled breeding.

Oral progestin hormone, Regu-Mate® (altrenogest), effectively suppresses estrus during the time it’s administered. When treatment is discontinued, mares come in estrus within 4 to 5 days and ovulate within 5 to 7 days following the onset of estrus. Mares with active ovaries (follicles greater than 20 mm in diameter) frequently respond with regular post-treatment estrus cycles. Progestin treatment can be started at any point in a mare’s cycle.

The use of Regu-Mate® (altrenogest) to suppress estrus in order to facilitate scheduled breeding requires a veterinarian’s prescription and consultation. Ask your veterinarian to put together a breeding plan customized for your operation.

Important Safety Information

Regu-Mate® is contraindicated for use in mares having a previous or current history of uterine inflammation. Natural or synthetic gestagen therapy may exacerbate existing low-grade or “smoldering” uterine inflammation into a fulminating uterine infection in some instances. Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Avoid skin contact. Regu-Mate® is absorbed through unbroken skin, and exposure may result in serious side effects to both women and men. Wear vinyl, neoprene, or nitrile gloves when handling or administering Regu-Mate®, or when touching contaminated surfaces or equipment. Latex gloves are not protective. PREGNANT WOMEN OR WOMEN WHO MAY BE PREGNANT SHOULD NOT HANDLE REGU-MATE®. WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN HANDLING THIS PRODUCT.  Regu-Mate® is readily absorbed through the skin and could lead to a disruption of the menstrual cycle or prolongation of pregnancy. Accidental spillage on the skin should be washed off immediately with soap and water. Keep out of the reach of children. For complete safety information, refer to the product label.