[Survey of the reproductive features and insemination/mating results in full blood Arabian and Haflinger mare herds on stud farms in west and middle Anatolia].

This research explores the reproductive traits and breeding results of Arabian and Haflinger mares on stud farms in West and Middle Anatolia. Among the key findings were that most mares experienced 1-4 day estrus cycles, but the length varied significantly, and a large number had longer cycles. Despite some challenges, conception and foaling rates were largely within international standards, aside from some inconsistencies which the researchers attribute to possibly inadequate data.

Reproductive Traits

• The study focused primarily on Arabian, Haflinger, and cross-breed mares living on large stud farms, with a smaller number residing on private farms.
• Three-quarters of both the Arabian and Haflinger mares had a heatspan of 1-4 days, a notably short duration, and the rest experienced a heat span of 5-10 days.
• The horses’ sexual cycles tended to last 18-24 days, although some mares were observed to have cycles exceeding 25 days.

Environmental Impact on Reproductive Traits

• The short heatspan was proposed to be due to an abrupt shift from winter to spring environment in the area under study.

Data Recording Challenges

• The team found difficulty in ascertaining an accurate cycle interval, citing potential discrepancies or inadequacies in the documentation of the data.

Conception and Foaling Results

• Arabian mares had conception rates of 83.4% and foaling rates at 78.8%. For the Haflinger mares, these rates were documented as 76.6% and 74.8% respectively. These results were considered to be within the international standard.
• Cross-breed horses had lower conception (72.3%) and foaling (55.3%) outcomes compared to Arab mares residing under the same conditions (96.9% and 70.8% respectively).

Need for Pre- and Post-conception Care

• The data suggested a need for improved care both before and after pregnancy under stud conditions and in private keeping to possibly raise conception and foaling rates.