Whether you own, manage, or are just breeding to a senior stallion, there are some management details you should consider.

In this video, reproductive specialist Karen Wolfsdorf, DVM, DACT, discusses some of the challenges associated with breeding senior stallions and management strategies for addressing them. Wolfsdorf is a shareholder at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky.

(Editor’s note: The content of this video is the expert’s approach to the topic. Please consult with your practitioner if you have questions.)

Senior Semen

Wolfsdorf noted that as stallions age, “the quality, quantity, and progressive motility of the stallion’s spermatozoa is going to change.”

The aging process affects the testicles. “You can start to get testicular degeneration in these older horses,” Wolfsdorf noted. “It’s important to have your stallions evaluated so you know what he produces in an ejaculate (concentration, volume, motility, and morphology). This helps you determine the best management practices for breeding a specific stallion to a specific mare.”

Final Words

It is important to evaluate older stallions at the beginning of the breeding season so you know what he is producing and which management practices will provide the best quality insemination, said Wolfsdorf. This provides you with the knowledge if pregnancy rates change and gives you the best chance of getting a mare pregnant.

About Dr. Wolfsdorf

Dr. Karen Wolfsdorf attended veterinary school at the University of Florida and graduated in 1992. After completing her DVM, she began an equine field service internship at North Carolina State University. In 1995, Dr. Wolfsdorf completed a residency in theriogenology at the University of Florida and became board-certified in theriogenology. Before coming to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, she spent time working in Australia with Dr. Pascoe at Oakey Veterinary Hospital. In 1996, Dr. Wolfsdorf joined Hagyard as an Associate, and in 2002 she became one of the first two female members of the practice. Dr. Wolfsdorf’s main area of interest is infertility in the mare and problems during pregnancy. She has authored many chapters on equine reproduction as well as lectured worldwide and published research regarding progesterone, retained endometrial cups, and equine twin reduction with cranio-cervical dislocation.

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  • Kimberly S. Brown and Jewell

    Kimberly S. Brown is an award-winning writer and publisher. She founded My Senior Horse for Equine Network and Linda Mars in her retirement, and now she is an editor of the brand. Brown previously had spent 10 years at Equine Network. Prior to that she worked for three years in equine nutrition after she retired from nearly 30 years working at The Blood-Horse. Brown spent the last 15 years of her time at that organization creating and developing the award-winning The Horse and TheHorse.com.

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