Stallion Breeding
Jomega Gibson
Usually, this time of year I like to talk to you all about mares and foals and breeding your mare. Recently, however, we have had a few stallions come through the clinic and so I figured there is no time better than the present to talk about stallions and semen. I guess, I typically avoid the subject because, well, I lost my stallion status at a young age, and lets be honest, no one ever fully recovers from that. But alas, I must address the subject because, maybe you have a stallion and someone has approached you about breeding to him, or maybe you have your eye on a stallion that you would like to breed your mare to. The desire to breed is the first step, however, stallion collection and semen evaluation and shipping involves many more steps.
As you can imagine, teaching a stallion to be collected artificially and learning their preferences is not always an easy task and often dangerous, however, once the stallion learns his job, the whole process becomes routine for the stallion and my docs.
Now that my docs have collected semen from the stallion, it is time to evaluate and process the semen. The first step in evaluating semen is to figure out the volume of semen collected. Once a volume is measured, a sample of semen is used to evaluate the concentration of sperm in the semen. A stallion may have produced a large amount of semen, but there may be a very low sperm concentration, or conversely, there may be a small amount of semen that has a very high concentration of sperm. Either way, my docs can determine the concentration, and from there they can use their fancy shmancy math and determine the appropriate dose of semen to use to breed a mare. During semen evaluation, my docs will also look at a sample under the microscope. While looking at the sample they evaluate how the sperm are moving, in what direction they are moving, and if there is a high ratio of dead to live sperm present. All of these factors play a role in what my docs determine is the correct dose of semen to breed a mare with.
When semen is collected artificially it must be processed before breeding the mare. This is done to extend the lifespan of the semen and allow for transport of semen throughout the world. There are two ways in which semen can be processed, it can be cooled and shipped immediately, or it can be frozen and stored for later use. Once the semen has been thoroughly evaluated by my docs, they will then add in a semen extender which has nutrients for the semen to live off of for a couple of days prior to being inseminated into a mare. The benefit of cooled semen is, a stallion owner can obtain several doses of semen to send to multiple mares from only one collection of the stallion. On the mare owners end of things, cooled shipped semen is very popular as they can get semen from almost anywhere in the world to use with their mare. Compared to live cover, a concentrated dose of semen is inseminated directly into the uterus whereas, with live cover, semen is deposited into the vagina and has to find its way through the cervix and into the uterus. Frozen semen is a completely different ball game and involves the use of liquid nitrogen, storage tanks and a lot more steps than this cat cares to know about. However, frozen semen allows for stallions to be collected and their semen stored indefinitely even once the stallion has died. Once a mare owner has decided to use a dose of frozen semen, it is thawed, and inseminated in a similar manner as cooled semen.
Fertility rates are decreased with the use of semen extenders and in the cooling and freezing process. However, with appropriate mare and stallion management, conception rates can be as high as 33%, meaning that with one breeding cycle the mare may become pregnant. Given the technology and medications available for use by my docs, 33% change of a pregnancy in 1 go around, seems pretty darn good to me. Although all of this collecting, processing and breeding stuff, is way to much for this cat, I think I am thankful that my stallion status was removed all those years ago, I can spend so much more time sleeping.
But, if you have a stallion that you think you want to collect and may want my docs to spend a few days teaching him about the phantom, give my minions a call and they will get your stallion on the schedule for a date with the phantom.
Stallion owners know filing a stallion breeding report is an important part of the registration process. Stallion breeding reports are due November 30. Filing a stallion breeding report online makes the process convenient.
Note: You will need to allow account access to link your membership ID number to your online account. Do this in Edit Customer Profile before starting your report, or learn step-by-step how to edit your profile.
If AQHA can provide further assistance, please contact the AQHA Member Experience team at 806-376-4811 and ask to speak with the Stallion Breeding Report Department or use the Stallion Breeding Report inquiries form at www.aqha.com/contact-aqha.
A successful breeding program depends on having a happy, healthy stallion who is willing to do his job. Good stallion managers have mastered the art of keeping their horses happy, confident and well behaved, which involves considering each horse as an individual.
Stallions are seasonal breeders, therefore longer daylight and warmer temperatures will begin the process of readying the stallion for breeding season. Stallions should enter the breeding season in optimal health and body condition. Ideally, the stallion enters the breeding season in a BCS (Body Condition Score) of 5 or 6 to help support his increased energy demands. While the act of breeding itself may not require a substantial amount of additional energy, stallions typically show more overall excitement and activity. Monitor weight throughout the season and adjust feed intake accordingly.
Housing can also affect stallion behavior. Stallions are often housed and handled much differently than what they would experience in a natural setting. Stallions are often isolated from other horses to ensure the safety for them and other horses. Stallions kept in barns away from other horses may actually decrease libido in some cases. In nature, young stallions congregate together in bachelor bands, in contrast to the stallion with access to mares, known as the harem stallion. Stallions which are around only other stallions show decreased testicular size, thus, lower libido. This strategy allows them to live together with less conflict, but may adversely affect breeding stallions. Housing stallions around mares may help horses who are disinterested or reluctant breeders.
The mare used for breeding should also be considered for a stallion that is a reluctant breeder. While some stallions may do quite well with an ovariectomized mare (one with ovaries removed and provided synthetic estrogen) used for semen collection, most stallions do prefer a mare in natural estrus. A reluctant stallion may be more interested in a mare closer to ovulation versus early estrus. Allowing mares to exhibit the most natural behavior that is safely allowed will encourage a reluctant or novice breeder. For example, mares that are hobbled and twitched will not be able to show the same posture which shows acceptance to the stallion. Some stallions may even have color preferences in mares. Paying close attention to stallion preference can lead to success in the breeding shed.
Consider the breeding shed environment as well. Some stallions can be distracted by any extra noise or movement that may occur. If using a phantom or breeding dummy, check that it is firmly in place and does not rattle or make other sounds when mounting. Have only the required personnel present for safe handling of the mare and stallion. Extraneous people can be distracting for some stallions.
Selection and/or training of stallion and mare handlers is important. Sexual behavior in horses often can be intimidating to novice handlers, which can quickly lead to poor handling decisions. Overly timid behavior by the handler or excessive punishment for what is actually normal stallion behavior is likely to cause an increase in bad behavior. Vocalization, nipping and striking are all normal behavior for stallions. Good stallion handlers remain calm and do not overly punish or act punitively to punish the stallion for even adverse frustration behaviors.
The vast majority of stallions have learned to accept a variety of handling and breeding methods that may not mimic their natural breeding state. However, some stallions may show abnormal behaviors that may be either dangerous or otherwise unwanted.
Overall, remember that most poor stallion behavior is human induced. Systematically examine all handling procedures, and set fair and reasonable expectations for the stallion. Remember to pay attention to your stallion and what he needs for success. Normal sexual behavior should be allowed and provide the most predictable, comfortable routine possible. Most importantly, ask for professional help if needed.
Under the same roof of the stud barn at Brazos Valley Stallion Station, breeders can find the leading sires, along sires of the future, in the Western performance horse industry. Conformation, pedigree, performance and production are the keys to success and breeders can find those qualities in abundance.
The leadership and staff of Brazos Valley Stallion Station is unsurpassed in the equine breeding business. Securing a pregnancy in your mare is our number one priority and we will take the measures necessary to ensure your mare has the best opportunity to achieve that success. From your first call to the farm to the time your foal is born, we will support you all the way.
My former stallion was gelded about a year after selling him at age 12. He has gone on to become a schoolmaster for the daughter of a professional-a job that he dearly loves and excels in. Im very proud of him and all he has accomplished, both when he was mine and now in his new home. Our boy moved up-town.
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