Although equine reproduction is not my favorite subject, this week I am giving you guys a brief overview of the behaviors we often see! I am also planning on going into more detail on breeding in the future so stay tuned for that!
Main Goals of Equine Reproduction
In this section, we’ll run through what occurs for each sex during reproduction.
Mare
- Produce oocytes or “eggs” from the ovary
- Display specific reproductive behaviors to attract a stallion
- Allow stallion to breed (live cover)
- Carry fetus for the entire gestation period (11 months for horses and 13-14 months for donkeys)
- Deliver foal and placenta (delivery can be 3 weeks before or after projected due date)
- Lactate to provide foal with nourishment
Stallion
- Produce semen (seminal fluid and sperm)
- Breed female or allow humans to collect semen
Reproductive Behaviors
Both sexes of equines display distinct reproductive behaviors.
Stallion
Olfactory (smell) stimulus
When a mare is in “heat” (estrus), the stallion can detect her pheromones through the Flehmen response. The Flehmen response is where the stallion will curl his lip up and draw the pheromones deep into his sinus cavity. This signals the brain that the mare is in heat.
Tactile (touch) stimulus
Stallions display tactile behaviors through rubbing his body and muzzle against a mare and may also nip or bite her. During this time the stallion will also be whinnying, very excited, and prancing around. And, of course, he will have an erection.
Visual stimulus
The stallion can also see that a mare is in estrus through visual stimulation. The mare will be squatting, urinating, or “winking” her vulva at him. Once again, these all show the stallion that the mare is receptive and wants to breed.
Mare
Estrus
Mares have a 21 day estrus cycle. When a mare is in estrus, she is ready to be bred by a stallion. She will squat and urinate around other horses and wink her vulva after. She will also have relaxed ears and may avert her tail to the side. During this time, she will also be releasing pheromones through her skin, urine, and saliva.
Diestrus
When a mare is not experiencing estrus, she is said to be in diestrus. During diestrus, the mare essentially will want the stallion to die. She will clamp her tail, pin her ears, and scream. The mare will also avoid the stallion and may strike and bite at him.
Thank you so much for reading my brief introduction to equine reproduction! Is there anything in this post that surprised you? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.
We post new content every week!
Check out our previous posts here!
Follow us on Instagram!