Management Strategies Aiming to Improve Horse Welfare Reduce Embryonic Death Rates in Mares

Area of Science:

• Equine reproduction
• Animal well-being and reproductive physiology

Background:

• High embryonic death rates impact equine breeding efficiency.
• Current management strategies may inadvertently increase stress in breeding mares.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of reduced social stress management strategies on pregnancy and embryonic death rates in Thoroughbred mares.
• To determine if improved animal well-being influences reproductive success.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1206 Thoroughbred mares over ten breeding seasons.
• Comparison of mares managed under 'Stress' versus 'Relax' protocols.
• Relax protocols included reduced teasing, less confinement, smaller group sizes, and stable herds.

Main Results:

• The 'Relax' group showed higher pregnancy rates in barren mares (91.8% vs. 84.7%).
• Embryonic death rates were significantly lower in the 'Relax' group for both barren (16.1% vs. 25.5%) and foaling mares (14.7% vs. 26.8%).
• Embryo loss on foal heat was reduced in the 'Relax' group (8.7% vs. 24.5%).

Conclusions:

• Management strategies that reduce social stress improve reproductive performance in mares.
• Lowering stress can decrease early pregnancy losses and reduce cycles per pregnancy.
• Implementing well-being focused strategies is beneficial for equine breeding programs.