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Posts: 2227
Apr 3 08 6:32 AM
Hobbling a mare is a safety issue for both the mare and the stallion. Some mares are a little feisty even when in full standing heat and will kick at the stallion. Some stallions are too valuable to risk an accidental injury. On the flip side, some mares are not receptive to a stallion even when an ultrasound proves they are ovulating. This condition is commonly referred to as "silent estrus". Breeds that allow artificial insemination have by-passed this problem. However, for breeds that only allow natural service, hobbling must be done to allow the stallion to breed a mare like this. Here's the caveat; a breeding issue like silent heat is heritable, so the question is, should we breed mares like this at all? If it is a top performance mare with a successful show career it's one thing but for your typical broodmare it seems counter productive to take a chance of passing it on.
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