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Equine Reproduction This course will encompass the fundamentals of equine reproductive anatomy and physiology as a foundation for the understanding and utilization of that knowledge to study and become familiar with the care and management of the breeding stallion and the broodmare. Management and care of the pregnant mare as well as foaling procedures and complications will be addressed in detail. Immediate neonatal care and postnatal care of the mare and foal will be discussed. The practical aspects of the overall management of an equine breeding program will be detailed; including the status and practical aspects of artificial insemination, shipped cooled semen, frozen semen and embryo transfer in the industry today. Breeding farm record keeping and analysis will also be examined. I. Foaling A. Facilities B. Equipment C. Factors that Control Foaling 1. Hormones D. Signs of Impending Foaling E. Parturition F. Induced Labor G. Care of the Mare After Foaling II. Abnormal foaling A. Dystocia (labored birth) 1. Causes B. Abnormal Conditions Associated with Foaling 1. Hemorrhage 2. Uterine rupture 3. Retained placenta C. Maternal Behavioral Problems III. Lactation A. Mammary Gland B. Care of the Lactating Mare C. Abnormalities of the Udder IV. The Neonatal Foal A. Fetal Adjustments at Birth B. Treatment of the Newborn C. Newborn Foal Behavior D. Noninfectious Complications E. Infectious Disease V. Orphan Foal - Premature Births A. Immediate Needs B. Health Care C. Feeding the Orphan D. Discipline VI. Abortion A. Causes 1. Viral 2. Bacterial 3. Mycotic (fungal) 4. Twinning 5. Nutritional Factors 6. Toxic Chemicals 7. Lethal genes VII. The Mare's Reproductive System A. Anatomy B. Estrous Cycle 1. Seasonal variations C. Reproductive Lifespan VIII. Mare Infertility A. Management 1. Imposed breeding season 2. Selection based on reproductive capacity 3. Teasing 4. Correct time during estrous to breed 5. Foal heat B. Physiology 1. Reasons for mares not coming into heat (anestrous). 2. Prolonged estrous 3. Aggressive behavior 4. Failure to ovulate 5. Multiple ovulations C. Reproductive Infections 1. Predisposing factors 2. Types 3. Effect on fertility 4. Diagnosis and treatment D. Reproductive Abnormalities IX. Broodmare Management A. Breeding Soundness Exam B. Managing for Increased Productivity X. Heat Detection A. Recognizing Estrous 1. Teasing and teasing procedures B. Optimum Time to Breed C. Records XI. Breeding Methods and Procedures A. Pasture Breeding 1. Advantages and disadvantages B. Hand Breeding 1. Facilities 2. Equipment 3. Procedures 4. Advantages and disadvantages C. Artificial Insemination 1. Facilities 2. Equipment and supplies 3. Semen collection 4. Laboratory techniques 5. Insemination 6. Advantages and disadvantages D. Embryo Transfer 1. Procedures and applications 2. Applications of embryo transfer. XII. Fetal Development A. Conception B. Embryology 1. Early growth 2. Placentation 3. Organ development C. Controlling Factors D. Maternal Influence E. Tetratology 1. Incidence and severity of congenital defects. 2. Causes and control of congenital defects. F. Gestation Length XIII. Pregnancy A. Different Types of Pregnancy Tests B. Care of the Pregnant Mare C. Conditions Associated with Pregnancy XIV. The Stallion's Reproductive System A. Review of the Stallion Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology 1. Function of the testicles in hormone and sperm production. 2. Accessory sex glands and their role. 3. Understanding what happens in the erection and ejaculation phases. 4. Semen characteristics from the presperm fraction to the mature sperm cell. XV. Stallion Management A. Stallion Evaluation 1. Genetic potential 2. Reproductive exam and general health 3. Handling the stallion during breeding and training the young stallion to breed. 4. Artificial breeding aids 5. Stallion vices 6. Efficient use of the stallion XVI. Semen Evaluation A. When to Evaluate 1. Collection techniques 2. Necessary equipment 3. Handling the semen sample 4. Examination procedures 5. Normal semen parameters XVII. Stallion Infertility and Impotency A. Management 1. Too many drugs 2. Overuse B. Genetics Aspects 1. Inherent anatomical abnormalities 2. Hormone problems 3. Lethal genes C. Reproductive Disease D. Semen Abnormalities XVIII. The Foal's First Years A. Behavior B. Managing the Young Foal 1. Dentition 2. Hoof care 3. Preventative medicine 4. Disease 5. Infectious and non-infectious diseases C. Weaning |
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