Reproductive behavior of stallions and mares: comparison of free-running and domestic in-hand breeding

Based on observational studies comparing social organization and reproductive behavior of equids breeding under feral, semi-feral, and domestic conditions, a series of comparisons and findings on reproductive physiology and behavior are presented. Simple changes in management and handling of mares and stallions that can improve reproductive efficiency and fertility or that can overcome specific breeding problems are discussed. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.