Equine Reproduction

This text is divided into three main sections: the mare, the stallion, and the neonate. Each is equally important to veterinarians involved in equine reproductive practice. Too often, interest in the mare wanes once her pregnancy is diagnosed. Monitoring of pregnancy and neonatal care are areas of prime importance, because presumably the aim of any breeding program is to produce viable offspring. In addition, education regarding stallion reproductive physiology and management is alarmingly sparse, and the stallion is often neglected despite being half the fertility equation. The discussions of the mare and stallion are divided into the following topics: anatomy, physiology, and endocrinology; breeding management; diseases of the reproductive tract; and reproductive surgery. Additional topics in the section on the mare are pregnancy, parturition, and the puerperal period. Discussion of the neonate is divided into neonatal care and diseases according to body systems. Ninety-five authors and co-authors have contributed to this work. The number of North American authors reflects their affiliations; however, readers should note chapters by numerous internationally recognized educators from both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Angus O. McKinnon, BVSc, MSc, Diplomate, ACT and ABVP, Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, Shepparton, Victoria, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Early Human Development, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. James L. Voss, DVM, MS, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.