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Questions and Answers
What is the typical height threshold that classifies a horse as a pony?
What is the typical height threshold that classifies a horse as a pony?
A horse under 14.1 hands tall is classified as a pony.
At what age should mares ideally not be bred to ensure their health?
At what age should mares ideally not be bred to ensure their health?
Mares should not be bred before 2 years old, with 3 years preferred.
What is the gestation period for horses?
What is the gestation period for horses?
The gestation period for horses is approximately 340 days or 11 months.
What signs indicate that a mare is in heat?
What signs indicate that a mare is in heat?
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Describe two breeding methods used for horses and mention their safety aspects.
Describe two breeding methods used for horses and mention their safety aspects.
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What is a common consequence of mares being bred back during the post-partum heat?
What is a common consequence of mares being bred back during the post-partum heat?
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What are the two primary methods used for pregnancy detection in horses?
What are the two primary methods used for pregnancy detection in horses?
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When does a mare typically begin to show signs of foaling, such as 'bagging up'?
When does a mare typically begin to show signs of foaling, such as 'bagging up'?
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What is the key indicator that a mare is ready to foal?
What is the key indicator that a mare is ready to foal?
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How often do mares go into heat during their breeding season?
How often do mares go into heat during their breeding season?
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What is the typical age range for calves to be weaned and what is the target weight at weaning?
What is the typical age range for calves to be weaned and what is the target weight at weaning?
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Why is bull selection considered important in cow-calf operations?
Why is bull selection considered important in cow-calf operations?
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What is the ideal weight range for stocker yearlings prior to finishing?
What is the ideal weight range for stocker yearlings prior to finishing?
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Describe two factors that should be considered when purchasing feeder calves.
Describe two factors that should be considered when purchasing feeder calves.
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At what age are calves typically bought for stocker-yearling operations, and what is the main goal during this phase?
At what age are calves typically bought for stocker-yearling operations, and what is the main goal during this phase?
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What health measures are included in a herd health program for cattle?
What health measures are included in a herd health program for cattle?
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What are the ideal finish weights for feeder calves in feedlot operations?
What are the ideal finish weights for feeder calves in feedlot operations?
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How does the timing of calving in beef cows influence pasture management and feeding costs?
How does the timing of calving in beef cows influence pasture management and feeding costs?
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What is the time frame in which a foal should stand and nurse after birth?
What is the time frame in which a foal should stand and nurse after birth?
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How long does a foal have to ingest colostrum before the gut wall changes?
How long does a foal have to ingest colostrum before the gut wall changes?
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What should be done if the placenta is not passed within 6 hours of foaling?
What should be done if the placenta is not passed within 6 hours of foaling?
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At what age should colts typically be castrated?
At what age should colts typically be castrated?
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What forms of identification are used for foals?
What forms of identification are used for foals?
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What types of food should an adult horse primarily consume?
What types of food should an adult horse primarily consume?
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What are some clinical signs of colic in horses?
What are some clinical signs of colic in horses?
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What can be done to prevent colic related to diet?
What can be done to prevent colic related to diet?
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What is the average gestation period for cattle?
What is the average gestation period for cattle?
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How is rectal palpation used in cattle reproduction?
How is rectal palpation used in cattle reproduction?
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What are the signs that a cow is in heat?
What are the signs that a cow is in heat?
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What happens to male calves born to a bull twin?
What happens to male calves born to a bull twin?
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What is the dry period for dairy cows, and why is it important?
What is the dry period for dairy cows, and why is it important?
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What are the risks associated with first-time heifers at breeding?
What are the risks associated with first-time heifers at breeding?
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Study Notes
Equine Terminology
- Intact male: stallion
- Castrated male: gelding
- Adult female: mare
- General offspring name: foal
- Female foal: filly
- Male foal: colt
- Birth: foaling
- Breeding/mating: covering
- Measurement unit: hand (1 hand = 4 inches)
- Horse under 14.1 hands tall: pony
- Donkey: ass or burro
- Male donkey: jack or jackass
- Female donkey: jenny or jennet
- Mule: bred from jack and mare (sterile)
- Hinny: bred from stallion and jenny
Equine Reproduction
-
Sexual maturity: varies by breed
- Light breeds: 12-18 months
- Arabians: 2-3 years
- Draft breeds: 18-24 months
- Large breeds: mares not bred before 2 years old, 3 years preferred
- Seasonally polyestrous: many heat cycles during season (April-July)
- Heat cycle: every 21 days, heat lasting 5-7 days
- Ovulation: towards the end of the heat cycle
- Breeding: wait until after first 2 days of heat
- Heat signs: relaxation of vulva, frequent urination, mucous discharge
- "Teaser" males: used to test if a mare is in heat
- Behavioral changes: vocalization, squatting, lifting tail, winking vulva
- Infectious disease test: Coggins test
- Breeding methods: AI (some breed associations won't recognize), hand breeding
- Safety precautions: taken
Equine Gestation and Offspring
- Gestation: 340 days (11 months)
- Post-partum heat: after birth
- "9-day foal heat": 5-12 days after birth, potential for breeding
- Disadvantages: high risk of uterine infection, lower conception rate
- Advantages: foals born earlier in the year, competitive edge
- Foals: typically have one foal at a time
- Twins: very rare, one usually stillborn, mares cannot support more than one at a time
Equine Pregnancy Detection
- Methods: rectal examination (few weeks into gestation), palpate rectum through uterus, ultrasound (few weeks into gestation), blood and urine tests (60 days into gestation)
Equine Signs of Foaling
- Distended udder ("bagging up"), milk coming in
- Relaxation of vulva, waxing (film-like accumulation under teats)
- Wavy appearance, occurs due to foaling
Equine Foaling
- Labor begins: Once labor begins
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Care: Foal out within 10-30 mins of water breaking
- superman position
- vet notified for problems
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Post-birth: Dry foal with towels, place straw in nostrils to stimulate breathing
- umbilical cord treated with iodine.
- Standing and nursing within 2 hours ideal, 18 hours for colostrum ingestion
- Colostrum: Blood tests done within 12 hours, negative results warrant feeding previously stored colostrum
- Placenta: Passed within 3 hours; if not, consult the vet
- Inspection: Inspect for damage/infection after foaling, sutures as needed
Equine Dietary Considerations
- Foals (2-3 weeks old): gradually introduced to concentrates (grains), hay as well, maternal milk remains major source of nutrients
Equine Castration
- Colts: at one year of age in the early spring or fall
Equine Identification
- Methods: tattooing lip, branding, microchips
Equine Digestion
- Monogastric herbivores: well-developed cecum for fermenting cellulose
- Adult horse dietary considerations: roughages (hay, grass, plants)
Equine Colic
- Causes: abdominal pain, indigestion, intestinal obstruction (fecal blockage- constipation), inflammation of intestines, parasites
- Prevention: appropriate diet, feed at correct times, regular deworming, avoid moldy hay
- Clinical signs: pawing at ground, flank watching, kicking, sweating, anxiety, refusing food
- Treatment: stomach tube, increase water intake & mineral oil to help lubricate GI tract, enemas, removing fecal matter, oral/oral meds
- Severe colic: surgical intervention, fluid therapy, pain meds
Additional Care
- Calves: calves weaned, weight affects product, higher weight = higher profit. Disease decreases weight; calves left on mother 6-10 months, fed roughage
Cow-calf Operations
- Breeding heifers: First-time mothers (puberty: 12 months, bred at 15 months)
- Bull selection: important to reduce dystocia for successful delivery. Smaller cows are better
- Cattle: are usually polyestrous (no true breeding season). Breeding season is ideal for warm months
- Calf-crop: calves kept outside and fed
- Selection: Good libido, records (pedigree, good health). Implement herd heath program (vaccinations, deworming, herd checks, physical exams), weaning weights
Stocker-yearling Operations
- Calves: feeder calves bought, fed, raised until 1 yr old, bought around 6 months old; bought based on units of weight
- Considerations: Market price, cost vs sold, high feed costs; herd health program, shipping/transport exposes them to more illness/disease, purchase animals willing to gain weight easily ("big boned")
Feedlot Operations
- Calves: 800 lb feeder calves taken to be finished to market weight
- Ideal finish: 900-1300 lbs; calves finished in about 1.5-2.5 years, kept in a lot and fed large amounts of feed.
- Considerations: feed, herd health; maintaining facilities
Bovine Terminology
- Young female: heifer
- Female after 2 or more calves: cow
- Not lactating: dry cow
- Intact male: bull
- Castrated male: steer
- Parturition: calving
- Female showing signs of heat: bulling
Bovine Reproduction
- Puberty: 12 months
- Polyestrous: every 21 days
- Heat: 12 hours
- Gestation: 283 days
- Dairy lactation: 305 days
Bovine Pregnancy Detection
- Rectal palpation: 30 days into gestation, to detect gestation
Additional Bovine Notes
- Calving: labor 4-6 hours
- Dystocia: calf coming out in wrong position (not superman), pelvic opening too small, calf too large
- After calving: Beef calves remain with their mothers. Dairy calves taken away from their mothers 1st day after birth and raised separately. Dairy females raised for milk production, males sold for veal. Calves are fed for 4-8 weeks; then gradually nibble roughages.
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Description
Dive into the fascinating world of equine terminology and reproduction with this quiz. Test your knowledge on equine classifications, breeding practices, and reproductive cycles. From stallions to foals, understand the terms that define the equine world.
