Length of gestation periods of horses and ponies belonging to different breeds

Abstract

The mean gestation periods of mares belonging to different horse and pony breeds common in The Netherlands have been calculated using data from the birth registers of five stud-book societies. The following mean values have been determined: Fjord pony: 342.2; Haflinger pony: 341.3; Draught horse: 343.3; Shetland pony: 337.2; and Frisian horse: 337.7 days. The variation in the mean gestation period is greater in horses than in cows, sheep or pigs. Colts are carried a little longer than fillies. Differences between years are not significant, but differences between the various breeds have been determined. Shetland foals born before 1 June are carried longer than those born after 1 June. The gestation period for mares of this breed mated at 2 years, is significantly longer than for those mated at more than 2 years.

The length of the gestation period in horses is possibly affected by physiological factors other than those influencing the gestation period in some other farm animals.