Equine Breeding and Reproduction in Citrus Heights
Effective equine breeding and reproduction practices help ensure the safety, longevity, and performance of horses. Our team of equine reproductive specialists in Citrus Heights can provide proper breeding management tips to maintain desirable genetic traits in horses, improve breed standards, and prevent hereditary diseases.
Proper reproductive practices not only keep horses healthy and ensure a safe pregnancy, but they can also reduce breeding costs and minimize chances of complications. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and get started on your breeding journey.
The Importance of Using a Reputable Equine Breeder
Finding a reputable breeder in {city] is critical to ensuring the mare’s pregnancy goes smoothly and you get the results you’re looking for. Here are some of the biggest benefits of using a high-quality breeder.
Genetic Improvement and Performance
Economic Value
Health and Welfare of the Mare and Foal
Why Choose Family Friends Veterinary Hospital for Equine Reproduction
At Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, we deliver customized breeding programs to cater to each guest’s specific needs. Our highly-trained team has years of experience in advanced reproductive training. Additionally, we provide state-of-the-art facilities and technology to ensure a smooth and successful breeding process.
We realize that pet care, and chiropractic care especially, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our vets practice a personalized approach to ensure each pet receives the best possible care. Each animal’s unique anatomy, condition, and health history plays a key role in what types of treatment our team recommends and performs.
Specialized Reproductive Team
Our staff has decades of experience in equine theriogenology. We provide advanced care in insemination, reproductive ultrasound care, post-breeding care, and more to ensure you’re achieving all of your equine breeding goals while ensuring the health of the mare, stallion, and foal.
State-of-the-Art Facilities & Technology
Our state-of-the-art facilities include ultrasound machines, endoscopes, and other specialized tools used for accurate reproductive assessments. Our modern breeding lab stores semen at optimal temperatures and conditions for success, and we also provide comfortable, stress-free housing for mares and stallions that improve overall breeding outcomes.
Comprehensive Breeding Services
Mare and Stallion Management Our specialized team of experts delivers high-quality care for mares and stallions. We provide a plethora of services such as breeding soundness exams and semen collection to ensure successful breeding.
Customized Breeding Plans Every horse deserves its own specific breeding plan. When breeding equine, we use each horse’s specific breed, performance goals, and health history to come up with a comprehensive plan to generate the best possible results.
Stallion Reproductive Services at Citrus Heights
Our veterinary team also provides a wide range of breeding services for stallions in Citrus Heights as well, such as:
Stallion Health Evaluations
Our team can conduct semen analysis and provide general health checks for stallions ahead of the breeding season.
Semen Collection and Handling
We provide semen collection and transport logistics for fresh, chilled, or frozen use. For frozen semen, we provide safe storage to preserve genetic material for long-term use.
Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE)
BSEs assess the reproductive health, sperm quality, and overall fertility of a stallion. Our team conducts comprehensive physical exams, reproductive tract evaluations, and semen quality testing during the BSE process.
Mare Reproductive Services at Citrus Heights
At our facilities, Mare reproduction is treated with care, compassion, and with measurable results. Here are some of the services we offer to mares during the reproductive process.
Mare Breeding Soundness Exam
Mare BSEs include a thorough physical evaluation and health history examination, uterine culture and cytology and biopsy (if needed), a full ultrasound, and rectal palpation, and a full external reproductive examination.
Ovulation Tracking and Timing
Ovulation tracking ensures that insemination or natural mating occurs at the most fertile time. We use specific techniques such as ultrasounds, hormonal monitoring, and behavior tracking to determine the most optimal breeding time.
Hormonal Treatments
Hormonal treatments regulate the estrous cycle, induce ovulation, and enhance fertility. We utilize treatments such as prostaglandins, hCG, deslorelin, progesterone, and progestins to optimize breeding timing and efficiency.
Compassionate Care Throughout the Breeding Process
Our team understands that equine breeding requires careful, compassionate care to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of the horses and guarantee a successful result.
Initial Breeding
Our staff is skilled and experienced in understanding horse behavior and de-escalating stressful situations when they arise. When applicable, we can also provide socialization opportunities for the horses with other equines, which helps reduce anxiety.
Breeding Soundness Exams During the breeding soundness exams, we conduct a thorough examination of both the mare and the stallion to ensure they’re healthy and ready for breeding. We will never recommend or agree to breed horses who are not healthy enough to handle a pregnancy. The BSE process also includes a discussion with you about any pre-existing conditions or concerns that might affect the mare’s fertility or her ability to carry a foal to term.
Tailored Breeding Plans We also offer customized breeding plans based on the mare’s reproductive history, age, and overall health. When needed, we can utilize advanced techniques such as artificial insemination or an embryo transfer to ensure a successful pregnancy without putting the mare at risk.
Gentle Handling and Stress Reduction One of the most critical parts of our care is the handling of each horse. We take pride in our staff handling each mare and stallion in a calm, low-stress environment to reduce breeding-related anxieties, and ensure the horses are safe from potential injuries.
Pregnancy Monitoring and Foaling
During the pregnancy, we monitor the horses carefully, ensuring certain milestones are hit and the foal is growing properly. We also perform regular exams such as ultrasounds and palpations to track development and viability and prepare the mare for safe foaling.
Physical exams To check the horse’s overall health profile and ensure they are equipped to handle the surgery.
Blood tests To assess organ function and check for infection.
Sedation/anesthesia protocols A vet will give the horse a sedative to keep it calm, followed by intravenous anesthesia to induce unconsciousness during the surgery.
Post-Foaling Care and Neonatal Support
The post-foaling period is also critical to the health and comfort of your mare and foal. Here is what we look for during this important period, and how we provide specialized care to each horse.
Immediate Care There are several important benchmarks we check for during the immediate minutes and hours after foaling. The foal should be able to stand within the first one hour of its birth, and should nurse within the first few hours, as it needs colostrum, which is rich in antibodies. Within 12 hours, the foal should have its first urination and stool. Mares are checked closely following birth for excessive bleeding, discomfort, or signs of infection.
Neonatal Examinations Our team conducts several neonatal exams on the foal following birth. We perform a full physical exam to check for heart rate, temperature, mucus membranes, and other important factors, as well as check for any congenital issues. Vets will also schedule out any vaccinations and deworming that are performed during the foal’s development.
Mare Recovery Mares are examined carefully postpartum to check for any infections or complications. The placenta is examined (it should pass within three hours), and a uterine clearance may be performed to help the mare pass any excess fluid.
Potential Complications During Equine Pregnancy
While our goal is to ensure a smooth pregnancy for every mare, complications do happen. Our team is trained and prepared to handle all common complications in equine pregnancy, including:
Early Pregnancy Loss
Uterine infections, hormonal imbalances, poor embryo quality, or stress could cause a horse to lose its pregnancy within the first 60 days.
Twin Pregnancies
Horses are rarely ever able to carry twins to term. If a twin pregnancy is detected, it is a major risk for both foals and could result in death. If a twin pregnancy is caught early, steps can be taken to reduce one of the embryos to increase the survival percentage for the other.
Placentitis
This refers to the inflammation of the placenta caused by bacterial or fungal infections.
Hydroallantois
Hydroallantois is caused by abnormal placenta function, leading to excess amniotic fluid buildup.
Signs of Dystocia (Difficult Birth)
When labor exceeds the normal estimated timeline or the foal is malpositioned, it could result in dystocia and requires immediate vet intervention.
Post-Foaling Emergencies
Our vets are also trained to look out for common post-foaling emergencies such as red bag delivery (when the placenta has a red membrane), hemorrhages, and retained placentas.
Payment Options for Equine Breeding at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital
At Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, we offer flexible financing and insurance options for Equine Breeding. Sign up today with any of our payment plan partners or contact us for specific questions about insurance coverage. Read more about our financing options here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Equine Reproduction & Fertility
Mares typically reach sexual maturity at around three years old, although some may be ready during age two. Peak fertility occurs at around age six or seven. Having an equine veterinarian conduct a full exam on a mare before breeding is critical, as healthy mares at peak fertility increase the odds of a successful pregnancy.
A mare’s heat cycle typically lasts 21 days. Within that three-week period, the estrus period, in which the mare is receptive to a stallion, lasts around six days.
Several factors affect the age limit for a breeding mare, but fertility tends to decline at around the age of 15. If the mare has never delivered a foal, fertility may begin to decline in the early to mid-teens. If the mare has experienced complications during previous pregnancies or foalings, that could also cause her to begin to lose fertility at a younger age.
Book an Appointment at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital
New pets are always welcome at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital. Our friendly veterinary staff looks forward to providing our neighbors in Citrus Heights and surrounding communities with the veterinary care they need.
