Time of foaling in Arabian mares raised in Tiaret, Algeria.

The study investigates the factors influencing the time of foaling in Arabian mares in order to improve reproduction management. It found out 78.07% of foaling occurs between 7 pm and 6 am and the foaling time significantly depends on the foaling month and the foal’s sex.

Research Method

The research was carried out at the National Haras of Tiaret in Algeria from the year 2003 to 2010. Using a large dataset, the research included:

• Information gathered from 255 Arabian pure bred mares, ranging in age between 3 and 20 years.
• This study looked into the time of foaling in these mares over a period of seven years.

Results of the Study

The study’s results are broken down into two significant findings:

• The research found that a significant 78.07% of foaling occurs between the hours of 7 pm and 6 am. This suggests an apparent preference or pattern for night time foaling in Arabian mares, which can be vital information for breeders and veterinary practitioners when planning for the foaling process and any necessary interventions.
• The findings also revealed that the time of foaling was influenced significantly by the month of foaling and the sex of the foal. Though the study does not specify the precise nature of these influences, these factors were statistically significant in their impact on the time of foaling.

Conclusions and Implications

From the results, the researchers concluded on the following:

• The research emphasizes the importance of the time of foaling in the management of reproduction in Arabian mares.
• The time of foaling is not random but influenced mainly by the month of foaling and the sex of the foal. Therefore, these factors should be considered by breeders in order to more effectively plan for foaling.
• Due to the significant percentage of night time foaling, special consideration and preparatory measures should be taken during these hours to ensure the well-being of the mare and the foal.