Breeding Dummies
By Lindsay Healy
HISTORY:
It wasn’t until recently
that the Pennsylvania
State University
began using artificial insemination in the equine science program. Since the 2004 breeding season AI has been
the predominant breeding method used.
The future plans for the breeding program include offering cooled,
shipped semen for breeding services to our stallions.
This web page focuses on
an important element in the semen collection process, the breeding dummy. The
dummy used at Penn
State, figure 1, was
bought from the Breeder’s Choice
Company (1).
INSTALLATION and SAFETY FEATURES:
 A few key elements of installation and use of the
dummy ensure its stability and safety as well as provide positive experiences
for the stallion.
v
The holes for the
legs needed to be dug into the concrete floor deep enough to give it sufficient
stability. Fresh concrete is poured
around the sleeves that hold the legs in place.
v
The legs of the dummy
are metal posts that also contain handles to adjust the height and angle of
the dummy, so these can be a safety hazard if not properly covered. The legs of the PSU dummy are wrapped with
shipping foam to provide cushioning if the stallion would kick or somehow hit
the base of the dummy.
v
The flooring found in the breeding shed is concrete,
but the area around the dummy is covered by rubber mats to improve
traction.
v
A sheepskin cover can
be put over the dummy if the stallion appears to be getting rubs on his legs
from the cover material, or used at all times as a preventative measure.
ADVANTAGES:
The following are just a
few of the benefits to the model that Penn
State uses for their
breeding program.
v
The dummy in the
breeding shed is about 6 feet long and 21 inches in diameter. The recommended length of the barrel is 60
inches and the diameter for a normal quarter horse should be about 20 inches,
so the one at the barn is adequate in both of these dimensions (2,
McDonnell).
v
The adjustable height is a good idea when
the sizes of the stallions on the barn are going to vary. The ability to change the height in this
case will allow the stallions an easier mount and better ability to stabilize
themselves.
v
The PSU dummy does
not have a cut out design at the back end where the artificial vagina would
be held. The handlers at Penn
State have not found
this feature, available in some commercial dummies, to be as desirable as a
full barrel end.
DISADVANTAGES:
There are disadvantages to
any model of dummy that is available and a few are discussed below. The biggest factor of deciding what model
to buy is dependant on the horses that will be using it, the handler’s
preference, and the amount it will be used.
v
One decision that has
to be made when deciding what kind of dummy to buy is whether to get one that
is adjustable or is a fixed height.
The problem with the adjustable one is that they might shake and
rattle at times, even with a sturdy base, and this can cause some stallions
to be distracted or fearful.
v
When collecting semen
with this dummy design it requires at least two people; one to hold the
stallion and the other to hold the artificial vagina (A.V.) and collect the
semen. Another option if only one
person is available might be a “self serving” dummy, which has the A.V.
inside of the dummy to allow for collection with only one person holding the
stallion. While this has worked well
for many breeding programs, there are some concerns regarding the potential
for injuries to the stallion during mounting or breeding.
v
A single, wide base
might be safer in certain situations than 2 legs. As above, the legs can be padded and some will enclose both
legs in a single piece of thick padding in order to create a “single” leg
base.
References and Suggested
Readings:
- Site to the company where the Penn State Dummy
was purchased http://www.breederschoiceonline.com/
- Sue M. McDonnell,
“The Horse” April 2002. and information from the Havemeyer Behavior Lab
website at http://www2.vet.upenn.edu/labs/equinebehavior/TTS/stallionhandbody.htm
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