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Master
Breeders
Breeding good quality Shire horses has been a long time skill
performed by only a few people called “Master Breeders.”
These are the successful breeders that have the ability to look at a
stallion and a mare and mentally calculate if they have the
characteristics that would produce an individual offspring that they
would consider to be coming close to what they determine as the
ideal.
Big money and computers have not and probably will not replace the
keen eye of that special breeder. Some have tried to replace the
breeding skills with money, computers, and even large numbers of
horses in order to produce the superior offspring. These can all be
aids in a breeding program; however, the experience and knowledge of
the breeder is the one essential ingredient to success. The
breeder’s skills are somewhat limited by the gene pool available
when trying to make the matings. This has been improved by moving
both mares and stallions longer distances to make the mating. The
natural covering are good; however, they certainly limit the use of
individual stallions and, in turn, limit our potential usage of the
gene pool that exists. For many years we have made great strides in
increasing the use of a stallion by collecting him and shipping
“cooled semen.” This has become a rather common breeding
technique that allows for a much greater use of some of the top
quality stallions. Some stallions will ship better than others. Many
times it is merely a matter of finding the proper extender for the
particular stallion being collected.
The life of properly collected and cooled semen is similar to natural
cover: approximately 48 hours after insemination. This technology is
very valuable in moving semen throughout the country when overnight
shipment from the collection point to the destination is
available.
Sometimes a gene pool is desired between countries. Shipment may take
longer than overnight or shipping regulations between countries may
inhibit fast export or import of the semen. At that point, one must
consider frozen semen.
Frozen semen is a real benefit to the breeder that seriously wants to
obtain a better selection of stallions for his mares. It is a
technology that is not applicable for every breeder. It requires a
serious commitment from the mare owner, a good reproduction
veterinarian, and an expanded knowledge about the handling of the
mare after you have the frozen semen. The collection, freezing, and
shipping of the semen are only the first steps. The largest
responsibility is in the hands of the mare owner and the reproduction
veterinarian. There are many papers written on this subject from
England, the United States, Holland, Australia, and others. One must
keep in mind that most of the articles do not specifically treat the
draft horse. There are a number of variables to keep in mind when
converting from the light horse to the heavy horse. It has been our
experience that the follicle develops more slowly. The follicle may
take longer to release and the chemicals needed to enhance the
breeding operation generally take longer to obtain the desired
effect. Frozen semen is not for every breeder; however, it is a
technology that provides us with exciting new frontiers in obtaining
a great range in the gene pool. This gene pool can remain with us for
years into the future when the semen is frozen.
For More Information Contact:
Jenson American Shires
9110 P-35, Blair, NE 68008
Tel: (402) 426-3198
FAX:
Internet:
ClarkJenson@huntel.net
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