Neurologic issues can affect horses at any age, and clinical signs can result from infectious and non-infectious causes. Increased understanding of equine neurologic conditions has enabled earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes, and vaccines have reduced the spread of infectious diseases. However, diagnosis and treatment remain challenging in some cases.

Whether using fresh, cooled, or frozen semen, the key to a successful pregnancy lies in timing, mare health, and proper semen handling. Here’s what you need to know to optimize conception rates:

Using an objective fear assessment, fearful horses can be identified early on in their lives, before they are weaned from their dams, reports a recent study. This early identification presents an opportunity to place these more fearful horses in the care of experienced handlers from the start, which could help reduce the risk of accidents and enhance the overall well-being of the horse.

Recent research shows that increasing parental age at conception has a detrimental effect on race speed. When a split-second can separate the horses at the end of the race, the slightest advantage can give the winner the edge. Research from the University of Exeter found that the speed of Thoroughbred horses declines as the age of their parents when they were conceived increases.