Estrus Detection Laboratory

Objective: The objectives of this laboratory are to:

1. Become familiar with the behavior of the mare in estrus and diestrus. You will look at videos of different estrus detection scenarios and learn to recognize a mare in "estrus"
   
   
2. Observe and evaluate different management plans for detecting estrus.

Before continuing with the laboratory, be sure to review the Estrus detection lecture material.

Terminology: There is some terminology that we must get straight in order to communicate effectively

• Estrous: (n, adj) Having to do with the reproductive cycle in the female animal of a species that has specific sexually receptive, fertile periods.
  
  
• Estrus: Having to do with the period that the female animal is sexually receptive to the male and fertile.

Laboratory Activities:

1. Management plans - examine three types of estrus detection systems that can be used at the University of Wisconsin-Madison equine teaching and research facilities. For each management plan you will be asked to consider a set of question you should be able to discuss.
   
   
2. Putting things together - you will view a series of video clips and identify behaviors observed and conclude if the mare is in estrus or diestrus.
   
   
3. Cases - Answer questions about several cases that involve estrus behavior to get a deeper understanding of the need for careful estrus detection.