The Horse Mating Process

Even though horses mate naturally on their own, breeders often bring a specific sexually intact female, or mare, and male, or stallion, together for the purpose of producing a foal with predetermined attributes. Whether the horses mate while grazing in the pasture or assisted mating is performed, the process is the same. Owners breed their horses for a variety of reasons, including preserving bloodlines and producing a foal with desirable characteristics or sporting abilities.

  1. Natural Mating

    • Natural mating removes the breeder's selection of mare and stallion, but has advantages from a safety standpoint. The mating process can be rough or even violent, depending on the stallion's manners and disposition as well as the mare's reception to his advances. Natural mating may be preferable for handlers who lack experience in the assisted mating process.

    Assisted Mating Preparations

    • The mare and stallion can be tested for compatibility before initiating assisted mating to increase the likelihood that the mare won't reject the stallion and that he will behave appropriately. In assisted mating, the mare and stallion should have their genitals washed with warm water to ensure dirt and smegma aren't introduced during mating or are a hindrance to successful fertilization. The mare's tail can be wrapped in a plastic bag, with the end wrapped with duct tape, which will prevent her tail from getting in the way. At least two experienced handlers must assist with the mating process, one to secure the mare and the other to handle the stallion. Both handlers should wear protective riding helmets. The stallion should be secured in a separate area while the mare is being led into a round pen. The stallion must not follow the mare into the mating area, as it can create a dangerous situation if he becomes impatient.

    Assisted Mating Process

    • While the mare's handler steadies her in the round pen, the stallion should be walked in slowly. He will most likely be eager and anxious. His handler should remain calm and not tolerate unruly behavior. If the stallion senses weakness from his handler, he could overpower him once they reach the round pen. The stallion should approach the mare diagonally from the rear and allowed simply to nuzzle her genital area for several minutes. When both are ready and relatively calm, the stallion can mount the mare from behind. The handler must maintain control over the stallion at all times to ensure the mare is not hurt during the mating process. It may be necessary for the handler to guide the stallion's penis inside the mare. The stallion will rest heavily on her back but will not thrust. It is highly important that the mare's handler keep her from moving while the stallion ejaculates. The process takes only a few minutes before the stallion will groan and dismount. While he is led back to his stall, the mare must be walked for several minutes to allow the semen to settle.

    Equine Breeding Season

    • In assisted mating, the breeder must make certain the mare is in heat. Mares follow a seasonal ovulation cycle that correlates with spring, when daylight hours increase. Mares are typically in heat between May and August and do not ovulate in February, March or April.