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Australian veterinary journal2010; 88(5); 169-175; doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00565.x

Reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in north-east Victoria.

Abstract: To evaluate the reproductive efficiency of horse farms in north-east Victoria and identify aspects of management to be targeted for improving reproductive efficiency. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Records from seven Thoroughbred (TB) and four Standardbred (STB) studs in north-east Victoria from 1990 to 2001 were reviewed; 8813 cycles in 4455 mares were analysed. TB mares were inseminated by natural mating, whereas STB mares (89%) were artificially inseminated. Results: The overall early pregnancy rate per cycle was 68.8% for TB mares and for STB mares, 68.3%. Multiple pregnancy per cycle was more frequent in TB (8.3%) than in STB (4.6%) mares (P < 0.001). Early embryonic death occurred in 7.1% of TB and 7.5% of STB pregnancies. TB mares had fewer inseminations per cycle (1.03) than STB mares (1.43) (P < 0.001). There was a significantly lower proportion of barren reproductive status within the TB than the STB mares. Pregnancy rate per cycle among stallions ranged from 48% to 79%. Conclusions: On-farm pregnancy rates in both breeds were higher than previously reported and likely reflect improvements in reproductive management. The disparity between breeds in the inseminations per cycle and proportion of barren mares exposed the differing structures of the two industries, and presents a target for improving the reproductive efficiency in STBs. The difference between breeds in the multiple pregnancy rate per cycle likely reflects the higher ovulation rate of TB mares. The variability in pregnancy rate per cycle between the 22 stallions was associated with differences in individual inherent fertility and the quality of stallion management.
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Publication Date: 2010-06-10 PubMed ID: 20529022DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00565.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study is an investigation into the reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse breeds on farms in northeast Victoria, analyzing management practices that could potentially improve reproductive success.

Research Method and Data

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective study examining records from eleven stud farms in the north-east Victoria region between 1990 and 2001.
  • These records represented a total of 8,813 cycles in 4,455 mares, including both Thoroughbred (TB) and Standardbred (STB) horses.
  • The breeding method for Thoroughbred mares was natural mating, while for Standardbred mares artificial insemination was predominantly used (89%).

Key Findings

  • The overall early pregnancy rate per cycle stood at 68.8% for Thoroughbred mares and 68.3% for Standardbred mares.
  • The study discovered that the incidence of multiple pregnancies per cycle was higher among Thoroughbred mares at 8.3%, compared to 4.6% in Standardbred mares.
  • Early embryonic death was witnessed in 7.1% of Thoroughbred and 7.5% of Standardbred pregnancies, a relatively similar percentage for both breeds.
  • Thoroughbred mares required fewer inseminations per cycle (1.03 times) than Standardbred mares (1.43 times).
  • There was a notably lower proportion of barren reproductive status among Thoroughbred mares as compared to Standardbred mares.
  • The pregnancy rate per cycle varied widely among stallions, ranging from 48% to 79%.

Conclusions Derived

  • The on-farm pregnancy rates for both breeds were higher than those reported in previous studies, which may indicate improved reproductive management practices over time.
  • The differences noticed between the two breeds in the number of inseminations per cycle and the proportion of barren mares highlights the unique structures and procedures of the two industries.
  • The researchers identified a potential opportunity to boost reproductive efficiency in Standardbreds.
  • They also pointed out that the higher rate of multiple pregnancies among Thoroughbred mares might be due to their higher ovulation rates.
  • The variability in the pregnancy rate per cycle among different stallions could be attributed to differences in their inherent fertility and the quality of management.

Cite This Article

APA
Nath LC, Anderson GA, McKinnon AO. (2010). Reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in north-east Victoria. Aust Vet J, 88(5), 169-175. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00565.x

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 88
Issue: 5
Pages: 169-175

Researcher Affiliations

Nath, L C
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne-Werribee, Victoria, Australia. lfennell@unimelb.edu.au
Anderson, G A
    McKinnon, A O

      MeSH Terms

      • Animal Husbandry / methods
      • Animals
      • Female
      • Horses / physiology
      • Insemination, Artificial / methods
      • Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
      • Male
      • Pregnancy
      • Reproduction / physiology
      • Retrospective Studies
      • Statistics, Nonparametric
      • Victoria

      Citations

      This article has been cited 17 times.
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