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Estrus Detection
It is critical to determine the optimum time to breed
a mare either by natural service or through artificial insemination. Behavioral
changes in the mare proceed the release of the oocyte from the ovary. Estrus
is the behavior the mare exhibits when she is receptive to a stallion and
allows him to mount her as demonstrated in the image above. Determining
when a mare first comes into estrus is one part of the procedure to optimize
the time of breeding. Estrus detection in the horse is time consuming and
behavior is variable with individual mares and their interaction with different
stallions. Lack of reliable estrus detection is the major cause of poor
reproduction.
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