CONTENTS
PART 1
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
My personal observations and opinions. Founding of a stud. Building female lines.
CHAPTER 2 PRACTICAL BREEDING PRINCIPLES USING THE AMERICAN SADDLEBRED AS EXAMPLE
Evaluation of sires and broodmares. The influence of different types. Sire Ratings and Broodmare Hall of Fame mares. The performance of a sire is being influenced by the type of mare which is available at the time. Horse versus pedigree. Enhancing a pedigree by limited introduction of other types. Other breeds and other species. Summery.
CHAPTER 3 MANAGING GENETICS AND COMPILING PREPOTENT PEDIGREES
Foundation of EMERALDA SADDLEBREDS. Positioning of superior closely related mares (and stallions) in a linebred pedigree. The X-Factor, the Big Heart Factor, Michondrial DNA (MtDNA), and the ability to convert blood oxygen into muscle energy. X, Y and other definitions. Heart Score. Double Copy. Single Copy. What makes a Heart Score? Physical appearance and motion – phenotype. Disposition and attitude. The way a newcomer can get his hands on pedigrees of this depth.
PART 2
THE PRINCIPLES OF FREDERICO TESIO
CHAPTER 1 TESIO BASICS
The influence of individuals in a pedigree.
CHAPTER 2 PREPOTENCY AND CRITICAL MASS
Paying equal attention to the mare. Strengthening potency. The structure of a pedigree indicates its potential. Prepotency develops when critical mass is reached.
CHAPTER 3 INBREEDING, LINE BREEDING AND MARE LINES
Outcrossing. Practical super charged line breeding. The relative importance of stallions and mares.
CHAPTER 4 SIBLINGS (BROTHERS AND SISTERS)
CHAPTER 5 THE LARGE HEART FACTOR
Pocahontas’s large heart factor lasts till today.
CHAPTER 6 PEDIGREE STUDY
CHAPTER 7 STATISTICAL POWER OF POSITION IN A PEDIGREE
The pattern for producing exceptional mares or exceptional stallions.
PART 3
OPINIONS OF GENETICISTS
Questions to some of South Africa’s top geneticists, and their answers.
PART 4
FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 1 FEEDING OF MARES DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
by dr. Francois van Niekerk (PhD) (Agric) (PrSciNat)
Feeding requirements of the mare
Protein intake
Minerals
Breeding season
Feeding of non-pregnant mares
Feeding of the pregnant mare
Feeding of the mare during lactation
Summery of important phases in lactation and pregnancy
Nutritional requirements during various periods in the pregnant and lactating mare
Early pregnancy
Feeding during lactation
First 3 days after foaling
First 120 days after foaling
First 3 months of lactation
35 to 45 days after fertilization
Foal 3 to 4 months old
90 to 120 days after fertilization
Wean foals at 4 to 5 months
Months 7 to 9 of pregnancy
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF DR. VAN NIEKERK’S ARTICLE, BUT EXPERIENCE SHARED BY FRANCOIS VAN DER MERWE, WATERKRANS, GRAAFF REINET
2015-05-06
Improved conception rate, especially mares which are hard to get in foal.