The Basics of Horse Breeding

Breeding certain types of horses, especially those of thoroughbreds, requires an in depth working knowledge on managing stallions. Aside from that, to have a successful breeding procedure, horse breeders should make sure that the horse is in a great state of health prior to the process.

Having a healthy stallion is a sign that it can provide healthy spermatozoa for the mare at the time of the procedure. The stallion should also have enough libido to sustain several sessions and still produce healthy spermatozoa throughout the breeding season. Ideally, the stallion should have 25-150mL volume per ejaculation, 60,000 sperm count per cubic millimetre; having a total sperm count of 6,000,000,000 in a single ejaculation.

Quick facts about breeding a horse:

• 24 to 48 hours — usual lifespan of sperm in the mare’s tract. Exceeds only in highly irregular or exceptional cases.
• 15 to 18 minutes — the sperm has reached the fallopian tube after mating.
• 5 to 8 hours — normal sperm travel time to the fallopian tube. Also the average egg life.

Quick horse breeding tips:

• Choose healthy horses only and maintain that state.
• Each mare’s heat cycle has its own characteristics. Be aware of them.
• Always have mares in good condition and avoid it getting fat when bred.