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Research Article

A 17-year survey of reproductive efficiency in Polish Konik horses

Marta J. Siemieniuch¹,² , Zbigniew Jaworski²,³

¹Research Station of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Popielno 25, 12-220 Ruciane-Nida, Poland

²Department of Immunology and Pathology of Reproduction, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland

³Department of Horse Breeding and Horse Riding, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 2, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 17(1), 2018, 31‒40
2. DOI: 10.21005/asp.2018.17.1.05

Abstract. The Polish Konik Horse (PKH) is the only conservation breed of horses that descends directly from tarpans. Since 1949 the Research Station in Popielno houses one of the largest breeding PKH centers. Retrospective studies were carried out on a group of Polish Konik breeding mares from stable farming in the number of 14 to 22 mares, depending on the season (311 observations in total), aged 3–20 years and weighing 380–430 kg. The basic criteria for assessing breeding activities of stud farms were analysed, including conception, pregnancy and foaling rate. Over the period from 2000 to 2016, the conception rate was 94.21%; pregnancy rate was 93.24% and foaling rate at parturition was 86.17%. The 70.73% of mares became pregnant after the first course of mating, whereas 18.64% became pregnant after the second course of mating. The cases of early embryo resorption or twin pregnancies were sporadic (0.96% and 1.29%, respectively). The high conception, pregnancy and foaling rate is the evidence of a high reproductive potential of PKHs.

Keywords: Polish Konik Horse; conservation breed; conception, pregnancy and foaling rate; breeding