Covering problems

[Fuzzycat]

Does anyone have any experience of a stallion having difficulty covering a mare? The mare was in season, having been scanned a few days earlier and the vet confirmed she would be in season in 2 to 3 days time, and she did duly come into season. So she stood for the stallion, but he was unable to enter her completely (only partially). The mare is a 9 year old maiden, the stallion is an elderly very experienced stud stallion. They tried to cover her several times but each time there was the same problem. We are not sure if it was a problem with the mare or the stallion, given his age.

We won't be breeding from the mare now for a number of reasons but I'm curious whether anyone has ever heard of this problem before?

 

[Rollin]

I had a stallion who although experienced would not cover my mares. He went back to the vendor, who came to see me and could not believe his eyes. He had been running with mares before.

I have had a mare here for covering in-hand which went well. One morning though my young stallion was not quite ready, so we put him back in his box and 'teased' him for a few minutes more. A very experienced CB breeder told me of a stallion who was slow to draw when covering in-hand - he was very successful. Sometimes it is just a question of teasing. In your situation if he was an old stallion perhaps his breeding days are over.

 

[JillA]

My Shire stud neighbour was telling me this morning that all the mares seasons had been unpredictable due to the weather. maybe wait until she is cycling more regularly? It's still early - covered now you will most likely get an April foal, late May or June is better for the grass and weather,

 

[ihatework]

Has the stallion been used to cover anything else this season / successfully?
As they get older/arthritic it can make the task in hand more difficult for them.

 

[JanetGeorge]

A couple of years ago, we were going to AI a maiden mare. But she had an unbelievably tight stricture of the vagina - the vet could get his hand in - but that was IT! Another vet examined her and I was astounded when he had no trouble getting right in - until I got the bill and saw he'd given her three times the dose of tranquiliser as the first vet, lol. We gave up on her for unrelated reasons - and I've never come across anyting quite like it before.

But my old stallion ALWAYS had trouble covering - when I first got him, former owner said: 'when covering a mare, take sandwiches and a thermos flask' - he wasn't far wrong. He would take anything from 15 minutes up to get around to it - hell, he was even known to have a roll first! And he ALWAYS had to be given a helping hand. Until his last pure-bred mare - at 22 - just 3 months before we lost him. He CHARGED to the yard, leapt straight on her and needed NO hand, lol. I named the filly Legacy - she's probably the best filly I've ever bred.

 

[Fuzzycat]

Thanks for the replies, food for thought.

 

[Equi]

A couple of years ago, we were going to AI a maiden mare. But she had an unbelievably tight stricture of the vagina - the vet could get his hand in - but that was IT! Another vet examined her and I was astounded when he had no trouble getting right in - until I got the bill and saw he'd given her three times the dose of tranquiliser as the first vet, lol. We gave up on her for unrelated reasons - and I've never come across anyting quite like it before.

But my old stallion ALWAYS had trouble covering - when I first got him, former owner said: 'when covering a mare, take sandwiches and a thermos flask' - he wasn't far wrong. He would take anything from 15 minutes up to get around to it - hell, he was even known to have a roll first! And he ALWAYS had to be given a helping hand. Until his last pure-bred mare - at 22 - just 3 months before we lost him. He CHARGED to the yard, leapt straight on her and needed NO hand, lol. I named the filly Legacy - she's probably the best filly I've ever bred.

lol i think some of them think about it too much. My two broods covered very differently, with one i had to hold him back a little cause he would jump on and hump air cause she was so keen she let him but if i held him off a little he would get himself in the right mind to do the job. The other mare, he had to be basically held until he was no longer in the mood cause she was keen as get out until he came near her....she was a mare that needed to be wooed and would only accept him if he was sweet as pie and very gentle which was usually about 6 hours after greeting! She never let him cover the first time he asked, it was always on her terms. A visiting mare however was not up for any wooing or small chat, she was a case of get in, get on, get out! Never spent anymore than 2 mins with that mare.

 

[Tetrarch 1911]

Sounds like the old fella might have a physical problem, like arthritis. He sounds eager enough, just inhibited by physical issues. Perhaps trying him on a mare or two in warmer weather might be the answer, or just pension him.