DOCSLIB.ORG

The Stallion Advantage Than Other Horses

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Stallion Advantage Than Other Horses and HOOFCARE and It appears that total daily “ mileage is the missing link between domestic horses and their wild cousins... Movement stimulates the hooves, and being always ‘on the job’, means stallions are naturally inclined to move more The stallion advantage than other horses. The effect of excessive movement is amplified if body Not only can this lead to extremely low heels with a” soreness prevents correct biomechanical action. A classic correspondingly overworn and tender frog, but it also sets by Andrew Bowe, B.App.Sc, Master Farrier example of this would be a thoroughbred stallion that raced up ‘reversed angles’ whereby the hind hooves are less steep www.barehoofcare.com young (and hard) and sustained permanent sacro-iliac than the front hooves which means the hind quarters are less Photos courtesy of The Mayfield Barehoof Rehabilitation Centre damage for his efforts. He may be unable to move his hind capable of driving the horse forwards. legs with full action, but instead will be inclined to slide Fortunately, if a stallion is ridden, he will usually hold his hooves across the ground, thus wearing the heels away Stallions usually have first class hooves. and carry himself quite well, even in spite of old injuries. excessively. They are not often the subject of insightful hoofcare articles. Just feed Excessive, incorrect wear is mostly a paddock problem. them like a horse and they will grow good hooves... Actually, it’s a combination of constant movement and being an ‘entire’ horse that produces the hooves nature designed. Being ‘entire’ means that stallions have Hoof management a biological purpose to their existence and they generally enjoy great health and Management of stallion hooves is predictable and have magnificent coats that shine like no usually straight forward. Constant movement over other equines. Hooves are made of keratin paddocks has the effect of wearing hooves flat, just like hair, so in reality are simply an which if left untrimmed, tend to develop flares. extension of their coat. Healthy coat equals Bare-hoof care is not so much about lowering healthy hooves. the heels and toes, but is mostly concerned with trimming the quarters down to the level of the sole On the move plane and rasping the outer wall away from ground Stallions are naturally inclined to move contact at 45º to remove flares and maximise hoof more than other horses. It appears that capsule integrity. the total daily mileage is the missing link See photos 3 and 4 between domestic horses and their wild cousins. Movement stimulates the hooves. These photos show a typically flat stallion hoof before trimming and a trimmed hoof that is Stallions are always on the job; keeping sculptured through the quarters and outer wall to their mob moving and fighting off any facilitate function. competition. In a perfect world all stallions would get Excessive wear to live with their mob. But in the confines The issue most likely to arise with the hooves of of domestication this happens very rarely, stallions is not growing enough new hoof to cope and stallions are instead nearly always with excessive movement, especially if they are kept separate from their mob and kept in living on abrasive ground. solitary. There will still be plenty of movement, A whole of body approach even if only around the perimeter of their To counteract excessive wearing, new hoof growth Management of stallion hooves is predictable and Assuming that the stallion is an old fashion kind of guy paddock or straight up and down a fence can be maximised by supplementation with a usually straight forward. Constant movement over line. When the mob of geldings will be who still gets to meet his date in ‘person’, during the ‘complete’ hoof food. There are several products on paddocks has the effect of wearing hooves flat, which sleeping in the sun, the stallion will still be breeding season his front hooves should be barefoot and the market that contain essential amino acids as if left untrimmed, tend to develop flares. at work. well as a broad spectrum of minerals and vitamins. well rounded with no sharp edges that could cut a mare. Page 56 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected] www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • Page 57 and HOOFCARE and It’s a simple “equation: when hooves wear faster than they grow, they need protection. ” In a perfect world all stallions would get to live with their mob Handling stallion feet No matter who is down under with What about handling stallions for With experienced farriers, stallions close to mares or the area where they the trimming gear, caution should be trimming? are usually quite easy and well are bred. Stallions are probably best behaved to trim. Trouble only seems exercised and a stallion should be held trimmed in their own living quarters. In terms of handling legs for to arise through complacency (the by a competent and attentive handler If a stallion is familiar with either a trimming, stallions are mostly author is speaking from repeated when his hooves are being trimmed. chain or a rearing bit for handling, well trained and yield lightly to experience), such as absent Mobile phones should be kept out of then use it for trimming. But use it pressure. But if they get annoyed mindedly going straight from a mare reach of the handler. respectfully. One of the pet peeves with proceedings and push comes heavily in season to up close and Common sense should also prevail and of farriers is when a horse holder to shove, they can bite or kick personal with a hot blooded stallion. stallions should not be brought into a jerks a chain or a rearing bit without better than any mare (or gelding). Not a good move! place where they may have other things They should be trimmed by warning or finesse when the farrier is foremost on their minds; places such as experienced operators. somewhere underneath the horse! and However, there seems to be Although shoes may seem the only practical solution for stallion hoof protection, an increasing number of horse barefoot tips are a good compromise if they are mostly wearing away the toes owners who are doing their own hoof trimming, which means that a lot of stallions are getting Protection options If a stallion is wearing shoes in the trimmed by inexperienced paddock, they probably should be removed operators. This is not so much It’s a simple equation: when hooves immediately before breeding commences of a technical problem because wear faster than they grow, they need and not go back on until he has served his stallions usually have such healthy protection. last mare (unless there are several weeks in hooves. It’s just that they don’t respond well having their legs Shoes may be the only practical solution between ‘appointments’). handled by indecisive, nervous for hoof protection in the paddock If he has had a good diet and been well or slow trimmers. Stallions are (although barefoot tips are a good supplemented with ‘hoof food’ prior to the busy people who don’t have time compromise if the hooves are mostly breeding season, his hooves should be strong to stand around all day while wearing away at the toes). enough and growing fast enough to last the someone takes forever to trim Hoof boots may not be an option for hoof distance. their hooves. They just want the protection in the paddock. Stallions are Hopefully the extra curricular activity of job finished right now so they can notorious for trashing boots, especially if breeding season will reduce the amount of get on with their important work they are pacing a fence and turning hard paddock pacing! of pacing that fence or giving that at either end. mob of geldings over there the evil eye. But what about the breeding season? Passing on their genes What about when a stallion is serving As an aside, if you are assessing a stallion Stallions can sense insecurity from mares? (assuming of course that he is an for conformation as a breeding prospect, way off in the distance. If you are old fashion kind of guy who still gets to be aware that a number of conformational an inexperienced owner trimmer, meet his date in ‘person’). defects can be disguised by corrective get in and get the job done and shoeing. When checking, be sure to pick don’t worry too much about The front hooves should be barefoot and each hoof up and see that the shoe has polishing the hooves to perfection. well rounded with no sharp edges that been centred around the frog. It is the frog That way you won’t push the could cut a mare. that points the true direction of a limb. In boundaries of a stallion’s patience A stallion simply can’t be wearing shoes addition, the presence of any ringbone or and when you are busy with the when serving mares. Back shoes are okay, unilateral sidebone may indicate long term trimming gear you won’t have time but definitely no front shoes allowed. imbalance that may be conformation related. to be insecure. Page 58 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected] www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • Page 59.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • UNDERSTANDING HORSE BEHAVIOR Prepared By: Warren Gill, Professor Doyle G
    4-H MEMBER GUIDE Agricultural Extension Service Institute of Agriculture HORSE PROJECT PB1654 UNIT 8 GRADE 12 UUNDERSTANDINGNDERSTANDING HHORSEORSE BBEHAVIOREHAVIOR 1 CONTENTS Introduction 3 Planning Your Project 3 The Basics of Horse Behavior 3 Types of Behavior 4 Horse Senses 4 Horse Communication 10 Domestication & Behavior 11 Mating Behavior 11 Behavior at Foaling Time 13 Feeding Behavior 15 Abnormal Behavior / Vices 18 Questions and Answers about Horses 19 References 19 Exercises 20 Glossary 23 SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO BE ACQUIRED • Improved understanding of why horses behave like horses • Applying basic behavioral knowledge to improve training skills • Learning to prevent and correct behavioral problems • Better ways to manage horses through better understanding of horse motivation OBJECTIVES To help you: • Be more competent in horse-related skills and knowledge • Feel more confident around horses • Understand the applications of basic knowledge to practical problems REQUIREMENTS 1. Make a project plan 2. Complete this manual 3. Work on this project with others, including other 4-H members, 4-H leaders, your 4-H agent and other youth and adults who can assist you in your project. 4. Evaluate your accomplishments cover photo by2 Lindsay German UNDERSTANDING HORSE BEHAVIOR Prepared by: Warren Gill, Professor Doyle G. Meadows, Professor James B. Neel, Professor Animal Science Department The University of Tennessee INTRODUCTION he 4-H Horse Project offers 4-H’ers opportunities for growing and developing interest in horses. This manual should help expand your knowledge about horse behavior, which will help you better under T stand why a horse does what it does. The manual contains information about the basics of horse behavior, horse senses, domestication, mating behavior, ingestive (eating) behavior, foaling-time behavior and how horses learn.
    [Show full text]
  • Observing Wild Horse Behavior by Dr
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Cape Lookout www.nps.gov.calo Observing Wild Horse Behavior by Dr. Sue Stuska, Wildlife Biologist - have interactions with other stallions (and to occur over mares in estrus Horses, Cape Lookout National Seashore mares, if they have the chance). (breeding readiness). The wild horses in the park are Wild social behavior is fascinating. The result of any interac- managed as wild animals. Wild horse watching is so informative be- tion is usually a clear winner cause the whole horse society is there; they and loser. If a youngster is This means that they show us wild behav- have all grown up learning the behavioral involved, he may show his iors and interactions which are fascinating “rules”; and they have a large area in which teeth in a clapping gesture to to watch. The draw for visitors and locals to interact. Most notably, a number of stal- display his submissiveness alike is that these magnificent animals can be lions are present, the whole social “order” is and thus avoid being the watched from a distance without our inter- in place, and there are no artificial boundar- target of aggression. fering in their wild lives and, so, they show ies - only natural ones. us how wild horses act when not influenced When a stallion loses he by people. Instead of leading, stallions most often fol- doesn’t necessarily run away. low the mares as they move from place to You may see him suddenly What can we learn from wild place. As long as the mares are far enough be interested in grazing, or horses? he may walk to his mares and Horses thrive in the wild, Stallion herding posture involves a straight head-neck line, low- move them away to pro- and have evolved through ered nose, and pinned ears.
    [Show full text]
  • Mules and Hinnies Factsheet
    FACTSHEET: OWNERS MULES AND HINNIES Mules and hinnies are similar. They are both a cross between a horse and a donkey, with unique characteristics that make them special. Because they are so similar, the terms ‘mule’ and ‘hinny’ are used interchangeably, with hinnies often being referred to as mules. KEY FACTS ABOUT MULES AND HINNIES: Mule: The result of a donkey stallion mating with a female horse. Mules tend to have the head of a donkey and extremities of a horse. Hinny: The result of a horse stallion mating with a female donkey. Hinnies are less common than mules and there might be subtle differences in appearance. Size: Varies greatly depending on the stallion and mare. Ranging from 91-172 cm. Health: Hardy and tough. They often have good immune systems. Strength: Extremely strong. They pull heavy loads and carry much heavier weights than donkeys or horses of a similar size. Behaviour: Intelligent and sensitive. They can have unpredictable reactions. Appearance: Ears smaller than a donkey’s, the same shape as a horse’s. The mane and tail of a hinny is usually similar to a horse. Vocalisation: A mixture of a donkey’s ‘bray’ and a horse’s ‘whinny’. Sex: Male is a ‘horse mule’ (also known as a ‘john’ or ‘jack’). Female is a ‘mare mule’ (also known as a ‘molly’). Young: A ‘colt’ (male) or ‘filly’ (female). What is hybrid vigour? Hybrid = a crossbreed Vigour = hardiness or resilience • ‘Interbreeding’ (crossbreeding) can remove weaker characteristics and instead pass on desirable inherited traits. This is ‘hybrid vigour’, a term often associated with mules and hinnies.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect on Performance in Descendents of New Forest Pony Stallions, That Have the Clc-1 Gene Mutations That Leads to Congenit
    The effect on performance in sports in descendents of CLCN1 gene mutation carrier New Forest pony stallions Authors: D.M. Dickhoff; I.D. Wijnberg Abstract Aim of the study: To determine if ponies descending from a CLCN1 gene mutation carrier stallion perform better in sports, compared to ponies that do not descent from a CLCN1 gene mutation carrier stallion. Study design: Data analysis of 11.414 New Forest ponies, in which the relationship between the descent of the ponies and their sport performance are analyzed. Methods: Ponies were divided in jumping, dressage and eventing categories. They were listed categorically from the lowest category to the highest and descendents from mutation carrier stallions were marked. Statistical analysis with logistic regression between the sport categories and within the categories has been performed using SPSS version 19. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Ponies descending from a mutation carrying stallion are significantly better performing in jumping. The odds of finding a descent in the highest jumping category is 7.6 compared to the lowest. In dressage, descendents from a gene mutation carrier stallion are performing significantly better, with an odds of 4.1 for performing in the highest category. In eventing, the odds of finding a descendent from a mutation carrying stallion in the highest category is 2.9 compared to the lowest. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Ponies that are descendants of a mutation carrying stallion are performing significantly better in jumping, dressage and eventing. This conclusion might lead to breeding programs which includes stallions who carry this mutation, aiming to breed better performing ponies in equine sports, which is in contrast of the aim of the Studbook to eradicate the mutation.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Autumn Stallion Inspection RESULTS with Comment
    New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society 2020 Autumn Stallion Inspection As with most 2020 events, the planned April inspection had to be cancelled, but with Covid-19 restrictions easing into the autumn, all owners on the April list were invited to what was necessarily a ‘behind closed doors’ inspection held with strict adherence to the government’s current Covid-19 regulations. With most owners taking up the offer, it was a busy morning, on a lovely sunny day. The top colt, by a good margin, was Mallards Wood Saint John, bred by Robert Maton. It was most pleasing that two colts who had come through the Futurity Scheme, Limekiln Shamrock and Mogshade Quarryman, made the top five, with Shamrock being the top Forest-bred colt. All the approved colts must now complete the vetting and DNA and PSSM1 testing procedures before they are fully licensed. The top five colts were: Mallards Wood Saint John (Y59/097) Miss Victoria Edwards-Sonnex Sire: Applewitch Pure Magic (S34/105) Dam: Mallards Wood Goddess (M43/428) Nutschullyng Saint Raphael (Y60/093) Mrs Wendy Gover Fromm Sire: Brookshill Mustang (S46/096) Dam: Glamorous Gift (M52/273) Limekiln Shamrock (Y60/256) Mr Mike Eccles Sire: Cameron Luck of The Irish (S56/070) Dam: Limekiln Fudge (M46/654) Mogshade Quarryman (Y60/063) Mrs Jehanna Stride Sire: Rushmoor Dalesman (S57/150) Dam: Cuffnells Fun Fair (M49/542) Haywards Stormstruck (Y60/114) Mr P & Mrs A Pidgley Sire: Haywards Impressionist (S50/561) Dam: Wraggletaggle Gypsy (M42/420) The following colts were also approved: Berrywood Wind Dancer
    [Show full text]
  • Stallion Behavior and Management May 2018
    Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service ANSI-3935 Stallion Behavior and Management May 2018 Kris Hiney, PhD Extension Equine Specialist Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets are also available on our website at: facts.okstate.edu A successful breeding program depends on having a happy, healthy stallion who is willing to do his job. Good stal- lion managers have mastered the art of keeping their horses may do quite well with an ovariectomized mare (one with happy, confident and well behaved, which involves considering ovaries removed and provided synthetic estrogen) used for each horse as an individual. semen collection, most stallions do prefer a mare in natural Stallions are seasonal breeders, therefore longer daylight estrus. A reluctant stallion may be more interested in a mare and warmer temperatures will begin the process of readying closer to ovulation versus early estrus. Allowing mares to the stallion for breeding season. Stallions should enter the exhibit the most natural behavior that is safely allowed will breeding season in optimal health and body condition. Ide- encourage a reluctant or novice breeder. For example, mares ally, the stallion enters the breeding season in a BCS (Body that are hobbled and twitched will not be able to show the Condition Score) of 5 or 6 to help support his increased energy same posture which shows acceptance to the stallion. Some demands. While the act of breeding itself may not require a stallions may even have color preferences in mares. Paying substantial amount of additional energy, stallions typically close attention to stallion preference can lead to success in show more overall excitement and activity.
    [Show full text]
  • Lot 22 E L a S R E G 1
    Heart of America Haflinger Sale Phillip Chupp 1406 CR 1800 N. Sullivan, IL 61951 Lot 56 L o t 2 2 Genesis Farm & Due North Haflingers are proud to announce the arrival of Sternblick de L’our (Sternwachter x Bonnita) This exceptional stallion has been the Stallion Selection Champion the last two years in Holland as well as Belgium making him undefeated! Lot 1 We are beyond excited to welcome such an amazing stallion in the prime of his life to the United States! GENESIS FARM DUE NORTH HAFLINGERS John & Michele Dunkel Mike & Kathie Hanson 2274 Farnsworth Rd 2749 Vermilion Dr. Lapeer MI 48446 Cook MN 55723 [email protected] [email protected] Lot 2 248-231-2075 218-780-2902 LIVEESTOCK FEEDS AND ANIMAAL HEALLTHTH PRODUPRODUCTSUCTS Lot 6 *5$,10,//,1* ˨0,;,1* ˨ &86720 )2508/$6 '(/,9(5< 0ඈඇൽൺൺඒඒ )උංൽൺൺඒඒ ൺආ ඉආ 6ൺൺඍඍඎඋൽൺൺඒඒ ൺආ 1ඈඈඇ 85 E CRR 250 N - Arthur, IL 61911 Lot 11 Phone: 217-543-2195 | Fax: 217-543-33677 80 1 MILLER’S HARNESS LLC Schneider Blankets, Ropes, Collars Shaft Loop Blankets, Halters, Riding Tack Horse Care Products, Riding & Driving Bits, Whips, Bowman Bits, Quick Hitch Harnesses, Harness & Saddle Repair Lot 12 Lot 14 (mini - draft) Custom made Bio and Leather Harness & Halters The Grain Saver Roller Mill...introduces a new way to cut feed costs and improve your horses health and stamina. • Rolls Approximately 20 pounds of corn per minute 4-5 gallons of oats per minute • Adjustable rolls (for oats or corn • Commercial grade case hardened knurled rolls (4” diameter x 5” wide) • Sealed Bearings POWER OPTIONS: Gas or Electric 431 N.
    [Show full text]
  • Tail Docking in Horses: a Review of the Issues
    Animal (2007), 1:8, pp 1167–1178 & The Animal Consortium 2007 animal doi: 10.1017/S1751731107000420 Tail docking in horses: a review of the issues - D. Lefebvre1 , D. Lips2,F.O.O¨ dberg4 and J. M. Giffroy3 1Animal Welfare Counci-Ministry of Social Affair, Food Chain Security and Environment-DG4 (CITES and Animal Welfare), 40 Place Victor Horta, 1060 Bruxelles, Belgium; 2Centre for Science, Technology and Ethics-Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; 3Department of Anatomy and Ethology of Domestic Animals, Faculties of Namur, 6 rue Muzet, 5000 Namur, Belgium; 4Department of Animal Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium (Received 30 November 2006; Accepted 24 May 2007) Routinely performed painful procedures are of increasing interest and, in 2001 (Royal Order, May 17), Belgium prohibited docking in several vertebrates including horses. In 2004, opponents to this decision submitted a Bill (Doc51 0969/001) to Parliament, intending to obtain derogation for Belgian draught horses, which were traditionally docked. The Animal Welfare Council of Belgium, an official body advising the Minister of Public Health, was asked to evaluate this complex question, including biological, ethical and socio-economic aspects, on the basis of the available peer-reviewed studies. In this context, this study reviews legal aspects (overview of the European legislation), zootechnic aspects (uses of the Belgian draught horse) and biological aspects (pain potentially related to docking; horses’ welfare linked to insect harassment and hygiene, communication and reproduction) of tail docking in draught horses. We conclude that (1) there is no benefit for horses in tail docking, including Belgian draught horses, (2) potential advantages of docking are essentially in favour of humans and these advantages could be scrupulously re-evaluated, taking into account practices of other countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Edison-Thoroughbred Stallion
    Edison - Thoroughbred Stallion (2011 • 16.1h) Grade 3 Winner of $197,900 by Bernardini - Hearts of Grace, by Exploit Bernardini - Eclipse Champion 3YO colt - Earnings: $3,060,480. - $100,000 stud fee for 2017 - Proven sire of the superstar racehorse, the sales-ring smasher, and now making a name for himself as a sire of sires. - As per the BLOODHORSE’s Stallion Registry, there were 350 stallions that stood their first season in 2013 (for foals of 2014). - Of the 122 freshmen stallions whose progeny earnings are listed in the BLOODHORSE’s leading First Crop Sire List, there are four sons of Bernardini in the top 18 stallions listed, (and five in the top 28). - Bernardini has sired Ten (10) Graded Stake winners in 2016, with total progeny earnings of $ 9,859,116. (Nov28/16). Edison: Career Highlights 13 starts - 4 wins - 0 - 2 Broke his maiden second time out at Gulfstream; won allowance at Canterbury Downs then came right back to win his first added money event in the Harry Jeffrey Stakes (ASD – 8 ½ f). Edison then shipped to Edmonton for his romp in the G3 Canadian Derby. Also raced third in the Luke Kruytbosch Stakes at Turf Paradise. Blood-Horse (August 2014) - Edison Lights Up in Canadian Derby Romp (video) After setting in mid-pack early in the Canadian Derby Stakes (Gr 3), Edison took charge at the quarter pole and romped to an eye-widening 11 1/2-length triumph at Northland's Park. There was no catching the Florida-bred Edison through the stretch as he extended his command with each stride for the open-lengths triumph as the 5-2 second choice in the 11-horse field.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Train a Stallion to Use a Dummy Mount. AAEP Proceedings 57
    Close this window to return to IVIS http://www.ivis.org Proceedings of the 57th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners - AAEP - November 18-22, 2011 San Antonio, Texas, USA Next Meeting : Dec. 1-5, 2012 - Anaheim, CA, USA www.ivis.org Reprinted in the IVIS website with the permission of the AAEP Published in IVIS with the permission of the AAEP Close this window to return to IVIS REPRODUCTION I How to Train a Stallion to Use a Dummy Mount Sue M. McDonnell, PhD Author’s address: University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA 19348; e-mail: [email protected]. © 2011 AAEP. 1. Introduction able alternative for local owners who prefer to Training a stallion to use a dummy mount for semen maintain the stallion as an outpatient, the horse can collection can range from a quick and easy project be presented daily for 3 to 5 days during a week so accomplished in a few brief sessions within a couple that we have the option of two to three training days to a more challenging effort over many sessions sessions daily over a period of 1 week. or even over weeks to achieve organized and reliable At our facility, we very much promote the impor- one-mount ejaculation. With a good team and ad- tance of the process of training itself as a procedure equate facilities, many stallions are successful for that should be done and charged outside the context their first semen collection within the first session of actual need for semen for evaluation or breeding.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductive Behavior of the Stallion
    Behavior 0749-0739186 $00.00 + .20 Reproductive Behavior of the Stallion Sue McDonnell, Ph.D.* The article begins with a brief description of the reproductive behavior of semi-wild and feral horses, which is intended to provide a background on the reproductive patterns and the specific behavioral elements comprising courtship and mating in the horse. The remain- der of the article focuses on the domestic stallion. Various breeding conditions are described, including normal breeding performance. Fi- nally, considerable attention is devoted to sexual behavior problems. SEMI-WILD AND FERAL ENVIRONMENT Considerable observational information has amassed concerning the behavior of semi-wild and feral horses throughout the world. The following summary of reproductive behavior is based on descriptions of behavior of free-running horses in the Western United States and Canada, in the New Forest of Southern England, in Poland, and on islands off the coast of North America. 1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 21, 24, 25, 29, 30 Each of these populations, although free-running for most or all of the year, is subject to breeding or population management. Reproductive Patterns Free-running horses are polygynous, seasonal breeders with some overlap of the late spring to midsummer foaling and mating seasons. Breeding occurs within a harem group that generally consists of one stallion and several mares with their foals and yearling offspring. The harem group is a relatively stable social unit year-round. Most of the matings observed among the Pryor Mountain, Western Canadian, Pol- ish, and New Forest populations are between April and July. Although most harem mares will be bred by the harem stallion, younger mares may be bred by Syear-old colts that are occasionally tolerated as group members by a harem stallion.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparing the Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Mules and Hinnies to Horses and Donkeys
    Comparing the physiological and biochemical parameters of mules and hinnies to horses and donkeys Amy K. McLean [North Carolina State University] Figure 1. Mules and hinnies comparing the commonalities and differences of these hybrids to their parents the donkey and horse. One of the most challenging things to do is distinguish a hinny from a mule based only on its appearance. Which is the mule and which is the hinny in this figure? Abstract: Mules and hinnies are hybrid offspring from donkeys (Equus asinus) and horses (Equus caballus). Little scientific information is known regarding mules and even less is known about hinnies the reciprocal cross. There have only been a few studies that have attempted to define commonalities and differences of these hybrids especially in terms of comparing and contrasting them to their sires and dams (donkeys and horses). This presentation will take a closer look at hinnies and mules from around the world and how they are used today as well as comparing both physiological and biochemical parameters of these unique creatures while addressing many of the fallacies and myths commonly associated with such equids with special attention being paid to hinnies. Recent studies conducted by the author and colleagues on comparing physiological, haematological, and biochemical parameters of both hinnies and mules from several countries will be shared in this review. In addition, interviews from both hinny and mule owners and breeders from Mexico, Colombia, US, Spain and Portugal will also be included in the presentation for a more comprehensive understanding of behaviour and training and how hinnies and mules are used today (Figure 1).
    [Show full text]