Inducing Early Estrous and Ovulatory Cycles

The goal of any breeding operation is to maximize reproductive efficiency and minimize the cost of producing live offspring. The reproductive performance of broodmares can be assessed by determining pregnancy and foaling rates for a season or, preferably, for each cycle. Mean pregnancy rates per cycle are 50% to 60% under current management conditions. However, the rates vary widely depending on stallion and mare fertility. To improve these rates, equine practitioners can use various techniques to induce early estrous and ovulatory cycles to increase the number of breeding cycles during a season. In addition, techniques to synchronize estrus and induce ovulation can be used to make reproductive services time efficient and cost-effective for clients. This article discusses these techniques as well as the treatment of postbreeding endometritis in susceptible mares to ensure that pregnancy is established and maintained to term.