1965-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1965 February Voice | Page 20

BREEDING HORSES
Without question more diffi­
culty is experienced in breeding
mares than any other kind of live­
stock. The percentage of mares
bred that actually conceive each
year will vary from 40 to a high
of 85, with an average probably
running less than 50; and some of
this number will fail to produce
living foals. This means that, on
the average, two mares are kept a
whole year in order to produce one
foal. By contrast, nationally, 80
per cent of all beef cows that are
bred calve; 90 to 94 per cent of
ewes lamb; and 80 to 85 per cent
of all sows bred farrow.
The lower percentage conception
in mares than in other classes of
livestock is due primarily to the
following; (1) research in the field
has lagged. (2) we try to get mares
bred in about 4 months instead of
12, and (3) we have arbitrarily
limited our breeding season (late
winter and early spring) to a per­
iod that at its best is only about
50 per cent in agreement with na­
ture.
In the bluegrass country of Ken­
tucky, where there are both good
horsemen and as desirable condi­
tions for breeding as can be se­
cured under domestication, 66 per­
cent foaling is considered as aver­
age for the area.
Recognition of the following facts
helps to increase the percentage
of foals produced:
1. Mares bred in the late spring
of the year are more likely to con­
ceive. If mares are bred out of sea­
son, spring conditions should be
duplicated as nearly as possible.
2. Mares bred as three and four
year olds and kept in regular pro­
20
duction thereafter are more likely
to conceive and produce living
foals.
3. Infections or other unhealthy
conditions of either the mare or
stallion are not favorable for pro­
duction.
4. More conceptions will occur
if the mare is bred at the proper
time within the heat period. Usual­
ly mares bred just before going out
of heat are more lkely to conceive.
5. Returning the mare to the stal­
lion for retrial or rebreeding is
important.
6. Mares in foal should be fed and
cared for properly so as to develop
the young. Balance of proteins,
minerals, and vitamins is impor­
tant.
7. It must also be remembered
that old mares, overfat mares, or
mares in a thin, run-down condi­
tion are less likely to be good
breeders. Unfortunately, these con­
ditions frequently apply to mares
that are bred following retirement
from the race track or the show­
ring.
A shift of the date of birth (the
January 1 birthday, for purposes
of racing and showing) to some­
where between March 1 and May
1 would improve conception rate
and foaling percentage, simply be­
cause mares would be bred under
more natural and ideal spring con­
ditions. Thus, it would have con­
siderable virtue from the stand­
point of the horse producer. On the
other side of the ledger, however,
it would create problems in racing
and in registrations, both here and
abroad. Also, such a deep-rooted
tradition would be difficult to
change; in fact, much considera­
tion has been given to this matter
from time to time. In the final
analysis, therefore, stepping-up
breeding research and improved
feeding and management are the
primary avenues through which
the deplorably low percentage foal
crop may be improved.
JACK MAIER, President
Announcing
The GREATER CINCINNATI
HORSE SHOW
at the CINCINNATI
GARDENS
(Indoor Stabling — Outdoor Tents)
MAY 5-9, 1965
Saddle Horse—Three Gaited
Five Gaited, Fine Harness
Tennessee Walking, Parade
Arabian, Hunter, Green
Working Hunter, Junior
Working Hunter
Conformation Hunter, Jumper
Saddle Seat Equitation,
Roadster Ponies, Pony Hunter
Hunt Seat Equitation
Reg. Quarter Horse
Three Gaited Pony
For Information Write:
A IRS. LEE EBERLE, JR.
613 Locust Corner Rd.
Cincinnati 5, Ohio
Phone: [phone]
VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse