An Introduction to Equine Breeding
The horse is a majestic creature that has a long-standing relationship with humanity; horse breeding enabled people to shape a species to be more suited to their purpose. There are hundreds of breeds of horses and for racing purposes, there are specialist facilities that offer an equine breeding program, where mares are artificially inseminated by trained staff.
It’s all about genetics
Winning stallions are highly sought-after and their sperm is used to artificially inseminate selected mares; a client can choose the bloodline of both father and mother and the foal would be of a very high quality. Some of the top equine breeding facilities are here in Australia, where you can study the history of the many horses on their books.
Cloning
This is when a perfect genetic copy is made of an animal; you may remember Dolly the sheep, the first animal ever cloned by scientists, which was way back in 2003. Of course, cloning has come a long way in two decades, particularly in the equine field, where a client might wish to have a genetic copy of a horse.
There are 4 main steps to the cloning process:
- Gene banking
- Creating embryos
- Transfer of embryos
- Gestation
The cloned horse will be a perfect replica and using similar training, the cloned horse will achieve similar heights as the original donor animal. Experts would say that the cloned horse has every chance of equalling or even surpassing the donor; a lot depends on care, diet and training.
Base colour and markings
While the clone is a genetic copy, it will not be 100% identical to the donor, it would have the same base colour and similar markings, although never identical. If you would like to learn more about cloning horses, Google can take you to the website of a leading Australian company that specialises in equine cloning.
Initial breeding examination
If you have a mare and you are interested in artificial insemination, you can book the animal in for an initial breeding examination.
This includes:
- Ovaries ultrasound
- Uterine swab
- Cervix examination
- Overall assessment as to suitability
If the mare is suitable, a breeding plan can be compiled and a timeline set. You would be given detailed care instructions to prepare for the breeding program and there would be regular communication from this point.
Talk to the experts
Equine breeding is a science and the best facility in Australia is only a few mouse clicks away. You can explore the many possibilities by consulting with specialists, who can help you identify breeding objectives and explore the many options.
Search online for Australia’s number one equine breeding facility and see what technology can be utilised to enhance your horse breeding program. Many breeders consult with an outfit that uses cutting-edge technology to enhance the breeding process and outcomes are always positive.
