Effective methods of horse reproduction in the production of mare’s milk.

Research Overview

• This study investigates reproductive health issues and their impact on breeding success in Kazakh and Mugalzhar horse breeds used for mare’s milk production.
• It evaluates infertility rates, common reproductive pathologies, pregnancy outcomes, and milk yield performance across different ages and management systems.

Study Objective and Subjects

• The aim was to study the dynamics of reproductive system pathologies in mares belonging to Kazakh and Mugalzhar horse breeds.
• These breeds were selected specifically for their use in mare’s milk production.
• Experimental groups were formed using the pair-analog method to ensure comparable study groups.

Reproductive Health Findings

• The infertility rate among the mares ranged between 13.8% and 25.0%, indicating a significant challenge to reproduction.
• Common reproductive diseases among infertile mares included:
  • Subinvolution of the uterus (8.3-10.7%)
  • Endometritis, an inflammation of the uterine lining (16.6-23.3%)
  • Atony and hypotonia of the uterus, conditions related to weak uterine muscle tone (8.3-13.3%)
  • Ovarian diseases, ranging widely from 19.6% to 43.4%
  • Other unspecified reproductive diseases (10.0-39.4%)

Pregnancy and Foaling Outcomes

• Overall pregnancy rate in Kazakh and Mugalzhar mares was 78.8%, a moderately high success rate.
• The rate of abortions, weakly born foals, and stillbirths was relatively low at 2.8%.
• Successful foaling occurred in 76.0% of mares across the study.
• Age-related differences in reproductive success were noted:
  • Mares under 5 years old had a 65.6% successful foaling rate and a 74.4% pregnancy rate.
  • Mares aged 6-9 years had the highest success, with 79.5% foaling and 88.0% pregnancy rates.
  • Mares 10 years and older had slightly reduced success relative to peak age, with 74.6% foaling and 82.0% pregnancy rates.

Milk Productivity and Quality

• Milk yield was notably higher in first-lactation mares reared on farms specializing in mare’s milk production.
• These farms also recorded slight improvements in milk fat and protein content, suggesting better nutritional and management practices.

Implications and Conclusions

• The study highlights how reproductive pathologies directly affect both breeding efficiency and mare’s milk production.
• Management factors such as nutrition, reproductive health monitoring, and appropriate husbandry greatly influence reproductive success and milk yield.
• These findings suggest that strategic interventions to reduce reproductive disorders and improve overall mare health can enhance productivity, which is important for local breeds valued for their milk.
• The results also emphasize the importance of age considerations in breeding programs to optimize mare fertility and foaling outcomes.