Effect of β-carotene integration to Italian trotter mares in peripartum

Abstract

In Italy trotter horses begin racing activity in the summer, two years after their birth year, so that the foals born in the first months of the year are better developed than those born in late spring-summer. As it is known, mares are characterised by an oestrus cyclic activity, which founds its best time in spring. The management of trotter mares tries to anticipate the foaling at first months of the year and therefore the next oestrus cycle, too...

Keywords

• horse, mare, β-carotene, reproduction activity.