Sexual activity of the horse
Ages of sexual activity
– female : from 18 months to 25 years
– male : from 2 years (the testicular descent that may occur up to 2 years)
Cycle in females
Sexual activity takes place from February to August. The cycle is 3 weeks on average. On this cycle, the duration of estrus (acceptance period of the male) is of 6 average days. The heats are spaced 15 days. Ovulation takes place at the end of estrus (1 to 2 days before the end).
Mating season
It begins in the spring because horses are sensitive to the lengthening of the days. Indeed, light stimulates the secretion of certain hormones. When a female is in heat, it emits so-called pheromones detectable by a male to several kilometers away. It rolls up in general his upper lip in a grimace feature called “flehmen“. In the presence of the mare, he begins his court : nostrils dilated, erect ears, head up, bringing its tail plume. It emits little short neighing, it turns around and comes, the side to prevent strokes, sniffing and nipping her rump and flanks.