Breeding management of mares in late reproductive age considering improvement of welfare. A review

It is thought that mares being 20 years old can still give birth to foals, some individuals are even longer capable to be pregnant. However, each year mare owners should realize that the older mare the more decreased horse fertility. An aged mare that has recently had a foal has a greater chance to become pregnant again than a mare of similar age that has remained barren despite being bred over multiple oestrous cycles during the previous breeding season. The fact that an older mare has never been mated previously (maiden mare) does not indicate whether she will be fertile or not. Older mares may develop clinical problems that may adversely affect fertility, which leads to consecutive stressful and troubling interventions of breeders and veterinarians. So, strategies increasing the probability of pregnancy in horses are essential for breeding management and for sure will help to maintain animal welfare at high level.