The Farrier Guide

The Farrier Guide to education and employment is a resource for aspiring and current farriers looking for information on horseshoeing schools and employment as a farrier. The site features a worldwide directory of horseshoeing schools, informative guides, interviews with seasoned farriers and insightful blog articles.

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Horse Headcollars: The 2 Different Types and How to Use Them

Horse headcollars may not appear all that important to novices, but veteran horse riders know that a headcollar is a useful tool that all riders need to include in their tack. An ideal headcollar consists of a headpiece, along with a noseband, and the entire thing is to be buckled around the head of your horse. You must keep in mind that a headcollar needs to be used carefully—a horse shouldn’t get injured in the process. Read the full article

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The Equine Endocannabinoid System: How Cannabis May Help Your Horse

In the world of domesticated animals, there’s no doubt that one of our strongest relationships, aside from that with dogs, has been with horses. In the past, horses helped humankind plow fields and plant crops, and they pulled the wagons (known as wagon trains) that moved caravans of people from coast to coast and populated the American West. Read the full article

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+R Training: Using Positive Reinforcement to Train Your Horse

Positive reinforcement (+R)  is a form of learning that occurs when a desired behavior is rewarded. It’s based on the idea that reinforced or rewarded behavior will be repeated out of want for a reward. +R techniques are growing in popularity within the world of horse training. Such techniques can offer a fresh start for both you and your horse, especially if your horse has been in the hands of abusive trainers. Read the full article

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Horse Breeds: Identifying Ponies, Light Horses and Heavy Ones

Horse Breeds Around the World

There are many different horse breeds that can be found around the world. Some of these may be best-known in a particular country, where they're utilized often. Others may be recognized around the world for their performance, much like the thoroughbred in the racing industry. Read the full article

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What to Look for in a Horse Trainer: 4 Key Factors to Consider

What Exactly Is a Horse Trainer?

A horse trainer is someone who's employed to undertake work with another person’s horse. Their role may include a variety of different duties. As summarized in a previous article, a horse trainer may: Work with introducing horses to saddle Re-educate horses who are moving from one discipline to the next (such as a horse that has retired from racing and will be used in eventing) Start a horse in harness or prepare it for a particular discipline, such as dressage, show jumping, trail riding or Western pleasure Work specifically with horses that have been identified as having behavioural or safety issues—bucking, rearing, biting, kicking, refusing to be caught and such Train horses for performance (for instance, in dressage, riding schools or racing) Read the full article

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The Horse Trainer: How to Become One and What's Involved

So You Want to Become a Horse Trainer...

There are various career possibilities within the equine industry, and one of these is becoming a horse trainer. A horse trainer is someone who will work with various equines, helping to discipline and educate them so that they're safe and suitable for their chosen role. Read the full article

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The Thoroughbred Breed: Thoroughbred Traits and the Breed's Origin

The Thoroughbred Breed

In the Western world, the thoroughbred is a breed of horse that's well-known. Thoroughbreds are most easily identified as horses that race on dirt (and turf) tracks at great speeds. Although they may be slower than the Quarter Horse over a quarter mile, they can generate incredible speed over longer distances. Read the full article

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A Horse's Habitat in the Wild vs. Domestic Situations

Where Do Horses Live?

The domestic environment in which horses live can, at times, be vastly different from the environment they'd inhabit out in the wild. In domestic situations, horses may be confined to a stall or a yard for part (or even most!) of their day. They may otherwise be found in a small field or paddock, or out in a large grassy area where they can roam many acres of land. The latter choice is perhaps most similar to a horse’s living situation in the wild. Read the full article

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3 Reasons to Use a Properly Sized Horse Blanket or Rug

What is a Horse Blanket?

At varying times, horses may have a covering placed over them while they're out in a field or paddock, while they're travelling on a float or horse box, or even while they're in a stable or barn. Depending on where you live, you'll know this covering as a horse blanket or a horse rug. A horse blanket is a large material covering that's typically used to cover a horse’s chest, shoulders, back and rump. There are horse blankets that also cover the horse’s neck, but these won't cover a horse’s head or its legs. Read the full article

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Horse Facts: How a Horse Eats, Sleeps, Communicates and Lives

What Is a Horse?

Otherwise known by its scientific name of Equus caballus, the equine species is made up of four-legged mammals. Each has a large head with one eye on each side resting on top of a long neck, along with a broad body and tall, thin legs that support the body. The end of the body is protected by a long tail, and horses often use this to shoo flies away from themselves or their herdmates. Read the full article

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How to Effectively Care for and Manage a Foal After Birth

The Delivery of Foals

In a previous article, we looked at what's involved in breeding the mare. When this process is successful, close to a year after the mare has been bred, a foal should be delivered. The foal can get the best start possible in life if the mare has an easy delivery and the foal is able to quickly stand and nurse. Read the full article

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Horse Feed: What to Feed a Horse, When to Feed Them and Why

Horse Feed: What Is It?

In the wild, a horse will typically graze for 12 to 20 hours a day. Horses generally thrive on a diet that's made up mainly of roughage, and the most common forms of roughage are grass and hay. Roughage can also include chaff, which is often fed to horses as Lucerne chaff (alfalfa) or oaten chaff. Read the full article

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The Horse Saddle: Caring for the 3 Types and Their Various Points

The Horse Saddle

The horse saddle is a riding aid that's used throughout the world. Many people choose to ride a horse in a saddle for both comfort and ease of riding. It can also be used to help with correct positioning, and even for show. Having a saddle that's correctly fitted to your horse is imperative. This helps keep things safe and comfortable for you and your horse. Having one that suits your discipline of riding will also ensure the best opportunity for correct positioning as you ride. Looking after your saddle well will enable it to be used for many years to come.

What is Saddlery?

The term "saddlery" often refers to leather material that's utilized on a horse’s back. It may come in the form of a saddle that someone sits on to ride, or it may consist of straps used to hold a harness in place for someone who drives horses. These days, saddlery can be made out of synthetic materials, rather than leather.

Cleaning and Storage of Saddlery

Whatever your saddlery is made out of, it’s important to keep it in good working condition. A regular check of your saddlery gear will help you spot any tears, holes or stitching that's coming undone. Stitching should be fixed as soon as possible, while tears will often result in the need to replace a particular area of the torn saddle. An example of this could be a tear in a girth point that helps connect the girth to the saddle, or a tear in the stirrup leather. If buckles aren’t able to be secured in holes because of a tear, that means the gear is unsafe to use. Regular checking enables saddle owners to attend to issues as soon as possible. Often, a saddler or a local saddlery (a place that sells horse gear) can fix these problems for a fee. Saddles should also be cleaned regularly, in order to eliminate dirt, sweat and other debris. If you have a leather saddle, then you'll need to use a conditioner like saddle soap for cleaning purposes. This is often applied with a wet sponge and massaged into the leather. If your saddle is synthetic, then a damp cloth can be used to wipe over the saddle. It’s important that once the saddle has been cleaned, it's allowed to dry out before being stored correctly. Keeping a saddle on a saddle rack off the ground can help the saddle keep its shape and avoid being affected by cold temperatures or dampness. If a saddle is infrequently used, but is cleaned with saddle soap and then wrapped in a cloth, mold can form from dampness, so ensure that your saddle is dry before you put it away for any length of time.

3 Types of Saddles

Horse riding is typically something that's carried out recreationally. However, there are people who make a living from riding horses. Whether a person is a jockey, a dressage rider or someone who excels in show jumping, there are various ways to make a living from the activity. Consequently, different types of saddlery have evolved. There are saddles designed specifically for show jumping, racing and dressage. There are English saddles, Western saddles and even saddles for stock work, trail riding and endurance riding.  A general-purpose saddle that can be used by the beginner rider in dressage and jumping has also been created. The General Purpose Saddle A general purpose saddle is often a good starting point for someone looking to buy a horse saddle. These are designed to suit flat work or dressage, as well as jumping. A saddle like this can be great for riders who are learning to establish an independent seat. Once they're relatively competent, the idea of jumping is often explored. The general purpose saddle is designed to be something in between the dressage and show jumping saddles. Being "general purpose," the idea is that general riding throughout various disciplines can be achieved capably on the horse that wears it. Although it's possible to carry out jumping with a dressage saddle and vice versa, a general purpose saddle is a better fit for a rider participating in both disciplines, while a discipline-specific saddle encourages a specific seat for that given discipline of riding. Often, once riders have been introduced to dressage and jumping, they develop a preference for one of the two. This can lead to riders deciding to focus on one. After making this decision, riders may want to look into a discipline-specific saddle for their horse. Show Jumping and Dressage Saddles

Although riders will learn a general seat or position when being introduced to riding, they’ll also learn a jump seat or jumping position. Since the classical dressage seat and jumping position are different, saddles specifically designed for these disciplines are quite different from one another, in order to accentuate or encourage specific positions. The show jumping saddle can be distinguished from the dressage saddle quite easily. The show jumping saddle will: Have forward-cut, short flaps Have a square cantle Have a seat that's slightly forward and shallow in depth By comparison, the dressage saddle has: A deeper, more heavily padded seat Long, straight saddle flaps to encourage a long leg A rounded cantle Each rider should consider their riding goals and the discipline that they'll focus on, and then determine their saddle needs based on this. For instance, a dressage saddle wouldn’t be suitable for a rider who favours jumping. Likewise, a racing saddle isn't the best choice for someone who wants to focus on dressage. If a particular discipline is to be focused on, it makes sense to buy a saddle that fits this discipline. Sometimes, however, a specific dressage or show jumping saddle isn’t necessary, and a general purpose saddle ends up being the most cost-effective choice, as well as the one that's best suited to the job. In all cases, regardless of the type of saddle that'll be used on your horse, it needs to fit both the horse and the rider. Many saddleries offer saddle-fitting services that you can use to ensure you're buying something that won’t be detrimental to your horse’s health—or your riding position.

The Points of the Horse Saddle

When it comes to owning and caring for a saddle, knowing the points of the saddle is valuable. Being able to identify the different areas will allow you to effectively clean it, replace faulty parts or organize repairs. Furthermore, when you’re able to use the correct terminology to explain a particular issue with your saddle, this can help you arrive at a solution with a professional—like a saddler. The Mounts of the Saddle There are particular items that attach to a saddle, but aren’t specifically a part of the seat on which you sit. When a saddle is attached to a horse, it's always attached by a girth that's attached to the saddle at the girth points. There are also stirrup leathers and stirrups for the rider. When all these things are connected to any saddle, the saddle is known as fully mounted. Other Significant Saddle Points The pommel is the front part of the saddle that sits over the horse’s wither. At the back end is the cantle, which generally rests over the horse’s back, just before the loins. In between these two parts, where the rider sits, is the waist. Between the waist and the cantle is the seat. On either side of the seat, there are flaps that rest under the rider’s legs. These are called the saddle flaps. Directly above these are smaller flaps known as skirts. If you lift either skirt, you'll find a bar; the stirrup leather rests on this, and it's known as the stirrup bar. Underneath the saddle flaps, girth points are found. There are typically two to three of these. The buckles of the girth will attach to them, and can be tightened or loosened, depending on the horse’s condition. Girths tend to have two buckles, and there's always an extra girth strap in case one snaps. The Saddle Framework Within the saddle is found the tree. In the past, this was always made of wood, but can now be made of synthetic material. Today, there are even saddles without trees available. On the underside of the tree, you'll find two panels that rest on either side of the horse’s spine. They should each have the same amount of padding, in order to help ensure that when a rider sits in the saddle, the horse has an even amount of pressure on each side of its back.

The Gear's as Important as the Horse

Knowing the general differences between saddles, their various points and how to care for your tack is important for all horse owners and riders, at all levels and throughout all disciplines. All things considered, looking after your horse gear is just as important as looking after the horse itself!   image 1: Pixnio; image 2: Pexels Read the full article

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The Horse's Hoof: 7 Major Parts and 6 Signs of Problems

No Hoof, No Horse

There's a well-known saying that states, "no hoof, no horse." As a horse owner or caregiver, being familiar with the horse’s hoof and what's considered healthy is important. If a horse has unhealthy feet, it may not be possible for the horse to be ridden. The horse may also end up in pain. When you consider a horse’s feet, it’s worth looking at them in pairs. Each horse carries around two-thirds of its body weight on its front feet.  This may help to explain why the front feet are rounder in shape than the hind feet, while the two hind feet have a more oval shape to them. That being said, both front feet should look the same and both hind feet should look the same as well.

Parts of the Horse’s Hoof

There are many parts to the horse’s hoof, and knowing where they are, what they’re called and how they function can help you more quickly identify issues. This knowledge may also help you out when you're talking to a vet or farrier, or any other equine health care professional. The parts of the hoof include: the hoof wall the toe the white line the sole the bars the frog the heel The outer part of the horse’s hoof is known as the hoof wall. This is a hard keratin surface that's consistently growing, and It grows from the coronet (or coronary) band of the horse's foot. The hoof wall is what's trimmed back by a farrier, though they may also remove some of the sole and the frog. The toe area of the hoof makes up the first third of the horse’s hoof. When a horse is resting their weight on the toe of the hoof, rather than on the whole foot, this can indicate an issue. A horse that needs a trim from a farrier may be referred to as "long in the toe." When you view the underside of the horse’s hoof and it's free of dirt and stones, you should be able to see the white line. This is the point where the insensitive part of the horse’s hoof (hoof wall) and the sensitive structures meet. If there's an infection here, a separation or even a stone lodged into the white line, this can cause the horse pain that will result in lameness. The sole of the horse’s hoof is the main structure you can see when you lift up the hoof and look at it, and it's a smooth area that's generally concave in shape. If it appears to be more convex in shape, the horse may be walking on its sole rather than the hoof wall, and this can cause it to move unevenly. There are two bars that are found on the underside of the horse’s hoof. They start at the heel of the hoof and run in diagonal lines on either side of the frog. Often, dirt and stones can accumulate between the bars and the frog, in a small indentation. Therefore, it's important to ensure that this area is free of debris. If not, infections or even bruising can occur. The frog is the triangular-shaped cushion that's found in the middle of the horse’s hoof, towards the heel. It's important that the frog is able to touch the ground when the horse stands and moves, as it acts as a shock absorber and aids with circulation. As the horse puts pressure on the frog, circulation is sent back up the horse’s leg. An infection known as thrush can form around the frog when the hoof is left wet and muddy. Bacteria like moist, dark areas devoid of fresh air, so regularly cleaning out the hoof can help with the avoidance of bacterial issues like thrush. The heel of the horse’s hoof is found at the back of the foot. It has two bulbs and is soft and spongy. The heel, like the frog, should be in contact with the ground when the horse is bearing its weight evenly.

The Inner Structures of the Horse’s Hoof

Within the hoof, there are sensitive laminae and a couple of bones. If issues arise with any of these parts, the horse will no doubt be lame. Often, obtaining a formal diagnosis will require an X-ray, especially if there's an issue with either of the bones. The pedal bone is one of those found within the horse’s hoof. In cases of pedal bone rotation, this bone can change its angle and even penetrate the hoof wall. Unfortunately, there's limited help available for the horse if this occurs. It can happen on account of a bad case of laminitis, during which the sensitive laminae are inflamed and begin to separate from the hoof wall. Behind the pedal bone is the coffin bone. If it gets infected and breaks down, this can also be detrimental to the horse. On the whole, the hoof wall acts as a capsule to keep the horse’s internal hoof structures in place. Without it, great damage can occur, so keeping the horse’s foot in working order and the hoof wall strong and healthy is paramount.

Signs of Problems with the Horse’s Hoof

Issues can arise in one foot of the horse or in all four. Luckily, there are general signs to look out for that indicate a problem. These include: heat uneven weight-bearing avoiding bearing weight at all a foul smell pus/discharge from the frog or coronet band Issues tend to more commonly be found in one or both of the front feet of the horse. This could be attributed to the fact that they bear a greater amount of weight. A problem could be as simple as a stone that's causing bruising, and if so, once it's located and removed, the issue should resolve itself quickly. If there are signs of heat and even swelling up the leg, and the horse is lame, then a thorough check of the affected foot should be carried out. A farrier may be needed, or a veterinarian. If you’re able to describe what is happening and where, this will help bring about a quicker diagnosis.

Quick Action is Essential

Hoof care is such an important aspect of owning and caring for horses. Regular farrier visits, a balanced diet, exercise and a keen eye are all vital to ensuring good horse health. If you're ever concerned about the health of your horses’ feet, keep an eye out for the signs listed above and contact your local veterinarian or farrier with details of what you've observed. Quick action will result in the best outcome for your horse—and you as its rider!   image: Pete Markham Read the full article

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4 Major Factors to Look at When Seeking Horse Riding Lessons

Learning to Ride Horses

So you want to take up horse riding? Below, you’ll find some guidelines as to what to look for when considering a place to learn to ride. We’ll look into group and private lessons, qualified instructors, disciplines and the types of horses available.

Group vs. Private Lessons

When you're first seeking out a place to learn to ride, you may want to consider whether you'd rather learn in a group or alone. A lot of riding schools will offer students the chance to take part in group lessons (which often include up to six riders), semi-private lessons (two riders per lesson) and private lessons (just one rider). If you’re riding to learn and socialize, then a group lesson may appeal to you. Quite often, you'll find that this is the cheaper option, too. So if finances are a driving point, group lessons could be more affordable. Riding in a group will also give you the chance to see others ride and learn, which can aid in your understanding of the sport. On the other hand, If you feel you'd like the riding instructor’s undivided attention, then a private lesson may be more appealing. You may also feel that it’s worth paying that little extra so the lesson can be catered solely to you. Many people opt for group lessons as they’re learning the basics. They may then choose to go onto private lessons as they become more established in riding and learn more difficult movements on horseback.

The Qualified Riding Instructor

When planning to undertake riding lessons, it's worth considering who will teach you. Perhaps you have your own horse and want to employ someone who'll come to your place and offer instruction. Or maybe you’re keen to go to a local riding school and learn on someone else’s horses. Whatever the case, the question of qualifications should come up. You’re within your rights to ask any would-be instructor if they're qualified to teach horse riding. Learning about their qualifications will help you determine: The level they've studied at Whether they have insurance If the qualifications they have are recognized in your local area They may have a qualification through a nationally recognized body, or they may have studied overseas with a top rider in dressage, eventing or show jumping. Be sure to research exactly what your future teacher knows, as it'll greatly impact you and what you can learn. It may also affect how much you 'll be paying for your lessons. A local, unqualified instructor may be a lot cheaper, while someone who has a formal teaching qualification may be a bit pricier. It’s up to you to decide what's most important—cost or qualifications—when choosing someone to give you riding lessons.

Your Horse Riding Discipline

As you consider learning to ride, it’s worth considering what exactly you want to learn. Do you plan to excel in dressage down the track?  Would you like to ride fast and jump high?  Are you interested in riding in style? Does English riding take your fancy, or are you more interested in the Western variety? The discipline you’re interested in will be a major factor when it comes to the location in which you'll be able to learn. If you’re not too bothered about this—you just want to be able to sit on a horse, enjoy riding and get some exercise while you’re at it—then that's OK, too! Maybe even a quiet hack or trail around the local area will be attractive to you. Regardless of what appeals to you about riding lessons, be sure to communicate that to your would-be instructor. When they have a clear picture of what you want, they'll be more able to cater to your desires. This leads us on to the last big decision you'll need to make: choosing the type of horse you'll ride.

Types of Horses Available for Lessons

When learning to ride horses, there can be nothing more frustrating that being on the wrong horse. Much like people, horses have different personalities. You’ll click with some, and others, not so much. A horse’s age and training will also greatly affect it’s suitability for different riders. One that's more educated may be better for a beginner, while one that's younger and greener may be the perfect challenge for an accomplished rider. On top of this, the height and stature of the horse is important. If you find horses a little intimidating and are of a small build, then a smaller horse or even a pony may be better for your first lot of lessons. If you're a tall and broad person, then it'd be unfair to place you on a pony. Your physical build, at times, will need to match the horse you ride. That way, the horse isn’t being asked to work too hard. To sum it all up, the height, the build, the personality and the education of the horse are all important. It's these factors—as well as your instructor’s ability to match their lessons with your desires—that'll ensure you're able to enjoy your horse riding lessons.

Do Your Homework and Have a Great Time

Riding lessons can be an incredibly fun thing to undertake., but if you're going to invest your time, energy and money in these lessons, be sure to do your homework. It shouldn’t take long to ring around your local area to find a riding school that could potentially suit your needs. If you aren’t sure of the quality of places nearby, contact a local riding club and ask them for suggestions about whom to approach about teaching you. Happy trails! image: Christine Leiser (Creative Commons BY) Read the full article

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The Gelding: Owning and Riding a Castrated Male Horse

A gelding interacts peacefully with a mare

The Gelding

When people own horses, it's typical that when they have a male horse, they have a gelding instead of a stallion. This can decrease issues relating to handling, management and even riding. A gelding can be a great option for first-time horse owners and riders.

What Makes a Horse a Gelding?

A gelding is any male horse that has been castrated. This means that it can't be bred from. Due to the removal of their testicles, the gelding is no longer producing testosterone. Testosterone is created in cells within the testes, so a castrated male horse won’t experience any increases in testosterone levels. The gelding won't have the physique that's produced by ample amounts of testosterone, either—such as added muscle tone and a cresty neck, for example. The gelding also won't have the libido that a stallion does, so his interest in mares for breeding will be non-existent. It's for this reason that geldings can be a lot safer and easier for people to manage. If you're interested in purchasing a colt or a stallion, you can make the management decision to have them castrated. It's worth noting, however, that a standing castration can only occur if both testes have descended through the inguinal canal. If this hasn’t happened, the horse will need to be put under anesthetic for a more invasive operation, and this can cost the owner more. Those who are purchasing a stallion with a view to castrate should also note that an already-established interest in mares may make the (future) gelding a little more unpredictable around female horses. For this reason, castrating at an early age can be easier, management-wise. Geldings can be any age, as long as they've physically been able to have their testes removed. It's unusual, however, for a male horse under a couple of years of age to be castrated. This may happen for reasons related to management or safety, though, if the horse isn't deemed valuable as a future breeding prospect. When horses are bred for performance, it's appealing—although, at times, idealistic—for breeders to leave male horses entire. That way, if a horse proves to have a good performance record, it can be bred from. Some horses, however, perform better once they've been castrated.

Managing Geldings as Opposed to Stallions

Having a gelding on a horse property can be a lot easier than having a stallion. First of all, geldings aren’t able to get mares pregnant. For this reason, they can easily be housed with mares without the risk of unplanned matings. Geldings can easily be managed when spending time with mares, stallions or young colts and fillies. Geldings often make good paddock companions for mares, but they can also be housed with stallions and other geldings—when mares aren’t in the picture.  When there are no mares to be territorial over, different classes of male horses can be housed together. As older, educated horses, geldings can also be great nannies for young colts or fillies. Plus, they can’t get a filly pregnant! It's for this reason, primarily, that geldings are perhaps the lowest-maintenance class of horses to manage on a property. On the other hand, stallions often need to be kept separately from other horses, so an owner can prevent unplanned pregnancies and keep the male horses from getting into fights.

Riding the Gelding

For a person who intends to ride, having a gelding can make this aspect of horse ownership easier, too. In the first place, it can mean dealing with a consistent temperament. The rider won't have to deal with a mare becoming difficult to handle as she comes into season, nor the concern of keeping an entire male away from female horses when he goes out for a ride. If he's competing or riding with other horses, the gelding's stall location in relation to the others won't be a cause for concern. You also won't need to be concerned about your gelding riding alongside other riders who own mares. For those people who are seeking their first horse to own and ride, an already gelded horse can be a great choice. Due to their inability to breed, geldings can be a reliable investment and a safe management prospect.  For the owner who needs to keep their horse on someone else’s property, having a gelding can also make this easier for everyone involved. image: Alex_brollo via Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons BY-SA) Read the full article

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Breeding Horses: The Mare's Cycle and Reproductive Care

Breeding Horses: The Broodmare

The act of breeding horses can be a lengthy one. Did you know that a mare is pregnant for more than 11 months? Her gestation lasts around 345 days, and it's usually in the spring and summer months that she's cycling and able to conceive. For the person who plans to breed horses, it can be beneficial to know why you'd breed a mare, what happens during her reproductive cycle and what goes on during her pregnancy. And if you plan to be around for the birth of the foal, knowing what takes place during labour and what constitutes a healthy foal can also be beneficial.

Why Breed a Mare?

As noted before in regard to the management of the stallion, just because you have a horse that can reproduce, that doesn’t mean that it should. When someone's choosing to breed a mare, they should seriously consider why they want to do so. If the mare has a particular trait that the owner likes, one that could be passed on genetically, then this can be a good reason to breed. Perhaps her temperament is particularly agreeable and she’s been a valuable horse in this regard. Or her conformation has resulted in soundness for her job. Maybe the performance record of the mare has been noteworthy and she could pass this potential on to her progeny. Any of these reasons could be considered good reasons to breed a mare. If a mare needs to have a long spell because of injury, this often isn’t a good reason to consider breeding. Unless, of course, the pregnancy wouldn’t further damage the horse and the horse was a good performer beforehand. Although female horses are often identified as mares at four years of age, they haven’t completely finished growing and maturing at that age. It isn’t uncommon for people to breed 3-year-old horses, but most horses don’t stop growing until they've reached five years, and some continue growing until they're even older. To ask a horse to support its own growth and to support a growing foal can be a big request. Therefore, you should also consider your mare’s age before considering breeding her. It's never a good idea to breed from a mare that has poor conformation or a bad temperament, or just didn’t perform well in the area they were asked to perform. These same poor qualities can be passed on to any progeny.

The Mare's Reproductive Cycle

Once it's determined that a mare is suitable for breeding—and that she has good qualities to pass on—a stud manager, owner or veterinarian will need to determine if she's cycling. This ascertains when she can be bred. Horses are seasonal polyestrous breeders. In English, this means that they have many cycles at a particular time of the year. Often, these cycles occur during the warmer months, when there's increased daylight, as these conditions help the mare cycle. The mare’s reproductive cycle is typically 21 days in length, from one ovulation to the next. Within these 21 days, she'll have a period of being in season (receptive to a stallion). During this time of being in heat, she'll generally ovulate, and there's a chance of conception if she's bred to a stallion before ovulation. Ovulation happens when follicles (fluid-filled sacs) on the mare’s ovaries grow and develop. Eventually, one matures, ruptures and releases an egg (ovulation). It's the follicles on the mare’s ovaries that vets can feel manually or see via ultrasound that determine what stage of their cycle any given mare is at. Once the mare has ovulated, the burst follicle undergoes a change and produces a hormone known as progesterone.  This causes the mare to be unreceptive—even aggressive—towards a stallion. She can't conceive at this time. It isn’t until a hormone from the mare’s uterus, known as prostaglandin, is released that the progesterone levels drop and follicles start to grow and mature again. This results in a release of oestrogen and the mare showing signs of being interested in a stallion, and she'll then go on to ovulate again. This cycle can continue throughout the spring and summer months if a mare isn’t bred. If a mare is bred when in season and before she ovulates, then there's a high chance of conception. The rate at which any given mare falls pregnant depends on the mare’s physical condition, how close she is to ovulation and the stallion’s fertility.

The Pregnant Mare

Once a mare has been bred and ovulated, it's common practice for her to undergo a series of pregnancy tests. This is especially common in the thoroughbred racing industry, the performance industry and the Standardbred industry. Veterinarians are able to see, via ultrasound, if a mare has ovulated. Around two weeks after this has occurred, the first pregnancy test will be carried out. Again, with an ultrasound, vets can determine if a mare is pregnant. This is known as the 15-day pregnancy test. A second test is carried out at 30 days. If a mare is still pregnant (most pregnancy losses occur during the first 45 days, and are known as early embryonic losses), then it's possible to see the heartbeat of the foetus on the ultrasound screen. A further test is done at 45 days, and if the mare is still pregnant, then this is when a client will be invoiced for the stallion’s service or breeding fee.

A Word on Twin Foals

It's possible for horses to have twins, but not identical twins. The mare’s egg undergoes a physiological change when a sperm penetrates it. This causes no other sperm to be able to do the same. Consequently, if a mare has twins, this always results from two different ovulations. That being said, mares typically struggle with carrying two foals to full gestational length. If a foal is born before 300 days, then its lungs won't be sufficiently developed to support life. If it's born before 320 days, other complications can arise. In the thoroughbred racing industry, it's illegal to register more than one foal from the same mare in a given year. Therefore, if a mare is found to be carrying twins via a pregnancy test—and this can easily be picked up on ultrasound—then generally, one of these pregnancies will be terminated. If this doesn’t occur, it isn’t uncommon for the mare to abort both foals later in the pregnancy. This can mean two dead foals and even a damaged mare, so for this reason, twin pregnancies aren't often celebrated.

The Mare's Due Date

Not all mares follow textbook gestations. They can have a shorter pregnancy than the typical 345 days, or a longer one. The pregnancy length is often described as 11 months plus a week, give or take 10 days. To determine a mare’s due date for having a foal, there's a simple formula that can be used, although it doesn’t take into account the varying number of days in each month. The rule is to use the mare’s date of breeding, minus one month, and then add a week and add a year. Examples: My mare was bred on September 1, 2017 (part of the Southern Hemisphere's breeding season). We go back to August, add a week to come to August 8, and add a year. That means the mare’s due date is August 8, 2018. Alternatively, a Northern Hemisphere date may look like this: Your mare was bred on February 3, 2017, so her due date would be January 10, 2018.

Foal Heat in the Broodmare

Mares typically come back into season just 10 days after giving birth. Because of their long gestation, anyone who's aiming for a foal each year must be mindful of how quickly they'll need to get their mare pregnant again. If she misses her first cycle, it’ll be another 21 days before she's able to be bred, and this could result in a foal being due at a later date in the following year. For those who breed to sell and race, an early foal is always preferred.

Usefulness and Care Are of Prime Importance

Evidently, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether to breed a mare. Whether the foal is going to be useful to someone in the future is of prime importance, as is the capability of the owner to look after the mare during her pregnancy. Not all horses that are bred should go on to be bred from. However, for a mare that has finished growing, with correct conformation and a good performance record, the idea of producing a foal can be a good one. image 1: Pixabay; image 2: Tania Gail via Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons BY) Click to Post