Closing In on OvulationBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 7, 2010
Pinpointing the time a mare is ready to ovulate is critical for getting conception on the first breeding.
In a Brazilian study, mares were implanted with a microchip that recorded body temperature and transmitted readings to a handheld scanner. Most mares showed a significant drop in body temperature about six hours prior to ovulation. The drop was not seen in non-ovulating control mares kept in the same ambient temperature.
This technique could be used to determine imminent ovulation without having mares palpated by a veterinarian.
