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A102 Care and Management of the Stallion
Sperm production in the stallion
Colts do not become reproductively mature until they reach one year old.
The stallion,s reproductive capacity will then remain constant until he is about twenty one years old.
A mature stallion, during the peak of the breeding season, will produce up to 150 milliliters of semen with a sperm count of around 6 million sperm.
Conditions influencing Sperm Production
Season
Although stallions produce sperm throughout the year, they are seasonal breeders.
The best months for testicular size, development, and function are May, June & July.
From Sept. – Feb the testicles are regressed, especially in November and December where the sperm count may be 50% of that during June & July.
Adding artificial light during the winter months can increase stallion fertility.
To increase fertility for spring breeding starting in mid to late December, the stallion should be exposed to 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness a day.
Supplemental Light
Artificial photoperiods do lead to early burnout and decline in performance at the end of the breeding season, but by the end of the summer the demand has also declined.
Age
Yearling stallions should not be depended upon for breeding.
A two-year-old should settle no more than around 10 mares per breeding season.
A three-year-old may settle thirty mares.
A mature stallion may settle fifty mares if carefully managed with a technician present.
About half this number can be pasture bred.
Feed Management & Exercise
The breeding stallion should be fed about 1 ½ pounds of grain and 1 pound of hay per 100 pounds of body weight.
Regular exercise results in increased sexual vigor and fertility.
Methods of Mating
Pasture Mating
Technician Assisted Mating
Pasture Mating
Reduces labor
Is convenient for the owner.
Catches the open mares
Creates a opportunity for a high settling percentage.
However, it reduces the number of mares a stallion can breed and increases some injury risk to the stallion.
Young stallions should be technician assisted mated, then turned out to pasture with older mares.
Pasture mating is primarily done with stock horses in range country. Horse owners that are concerned about injuries to the mare and stallion rarely use pasture mating.
Technician Assisted Mating
Is safer for both the stallion and the mare but must be carefully done to avoid injury to the owner or technician.
Some sort of pre-breeding staging area should be built with the safety of the stallion and technician in mind.
The staging area may be a teasing post, a sturdy stall, or heavy built corral.
Staging & Breeding Area
Technician Assisted Mating
The stallion and mare are brought within proximity of each other but are still separated.
This commences the hormonal process in the stallion and allows the technician to read the mare and evaluate were she is in her estrus cycle and whether she will be receptive to the stallion.
A breeding area should also be created to protect the stallion and the technician if the mare should try to kick.