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Influence of breeders education on introduction of new methods and programs for improvement and saving protected autochtonous horsebreeds in Croatia

After dramatical decrease of horse number due to mechanisation in agriculture and socio-economical changes caused by Croatian Civil War during the last ten years there is obvious and intensive increase and popularisation of horsebreeding. Number of horses arised from 3373 to 13578 in the last ten years and there are accurate indicators that it will continue in the next years. Our goverment stimulates breeding autochtonous horse breeds by protecting them and giving financial rewards to the breeders. Number of autochtonous horses rises permanently and gives increase of 3% of newborn authochtonous foals more per year. Total number of authoctonous horses rises 11, 74 % per year. Average fertility rate in 2007. for autochtonous horsebreeds consists 80, 71% for Posavina mares, 56% for lipizzan mares, 59, 94% for Croatian Coldblooded mares and 5% for Međimurje mares. Unfortunately we don't have any system of reproductive control of mares and stallions used in reproduction. There is absolutely no data about problem mares, sexually transmited contagious deseases, cases of abortions etc. Breeders are not educated to recognize problem on time and when they do so, there is absolutely nobody who they can seek for help. Some veterinary experts are enthusiastic and like to help but that is not sufficient and good enough when bigger problem arises like for example cca 400 abortions which happened during 2008 in protected autochtonous Posavina mares. The majority of croatian autochtonous horses, except lipizzan horses, are kept in woods as semidomesticated animals living in feral herds. They are collected only during winter months (november, december, january and february) to help them survive cold weather time. Keeping in mind all numbered problems it is easy to see why is so difficult to introduce modern methods of assisted reproduction (artificial insemination, embryotransfer, bank of embryos of very valuable horses) in our everyday praictice. In the same time it is necessery to introduce such methods to preserve specially valuable genetic animals and prevent their extinction. Our study combines educational, scientific and practical approach. Combination of 10 educational seminars for breeders combined with modified protocol for collecting and analysing reproductive data during winter 2007 on herd of 32 Posavina mares and during spring 2008. on herd of 32 lipizzan mares gave good perspective for improvement of breeding and monitoring reproductive success keeping in mind specificities of traditional way of croatian horsebreeding. We used clinical (vaginal, rectal and transrectal ultrasound) and laboratory (bacteriological, serological and cytological) examinations to monitor cyclicity and pregnancy in both herds. All lipizzan mares and stallions were examined before reproductive season according to modified international protocol. All lipizzan mares were examined twice for pregnancy checking: 18 and 35 days after mating. All mares were examined at 01. 10. 2008 to definitely confirm pregnancy rate in herd. Herd of Posavina horses which is kept free in the woods majority of the year, was monitored when it was only possible, during winter months. We performed pregnancy checking in the herd together with serological and bacteriological testing for nonpregnant animals. It enabled detection of problem mares and better preparation for next breeding season.It also enabled selection of mares and stallions for future use in assisted reproduction in both herds. We significantly improved fertility rate in lipizzan herd only (88% versus 56%), but more important is that we improved level of control in both herds and minimised risks of unknown fertility losses, sexually transmitted deseases etc. We had excellent attendance of breeders on our education seminars and 96% of members of autochtonous horsebreeds breeders organisations attended our lectures. Furthermore, we received letters of intent from 12 Organisations of autochtonous horse breeds who are willing to introduce obligatory education for their members. Combination of education for breeders together with strictly monitored reproduction gave good perspective for significant improvement of horsebreeding even in semiferal population of horses. It also enabled selection of mares and stallions for future use in asisted reproduction. It is essential to create unique databasis with all autochtonous mares and stallions used in reproduction together with introduction of obligatory education for breeders to make them capable to recognize reproductive problems on time and be collaborative in all national and international programs for protection and saving endengered and protected horsebreeds. Bibliography 1. Čačić M, D. Tadić, N. Korabi, M. Mlađenović, M. Čabrajec, M. Matasović, J. Ljubešić, M. Baban, T. Rastija, N. Prvanović (2008): Zbornik radova 2. hrvatskog simpozija o lipicanskoj pasmini s međunarodnim sudjelovanjem, Đakovo, 2008, 14-23 2. Zakon o stočarstvu, Ministarstvo poljoprivrede ribarstva i vodnog gospodarstva, Republika Hrvatska (Narodne novine broj 70/97 i 36/98) 3. Hrvatski Stočarski Centar (2008): Godišnje izviješće 2007, Konjogojstvo. Zagreb 4. Allen W. R, L. Brown, M. Wright, S. Wilsher (2006): Equine Vet. J.vol 39 no 5, 438-446 5. Heidler B, J.E: Aurich, , W. Pohl, C. Aurich.(2004): Theriogenology 61, 883-893 6. HBLB Code of practice (2007), Newmarket, Animal Health Trust

croatian autochtonous horses; education; assisted reproduction

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