Page 351
Baoye A Sai: [But how are the horses on your ranch? This isn't usually their mating season, is it? Would it be difficult to get them to mate?]
Shi Wen: [We're already trying to figure something out. I asked A Sai from the construction team to come and help install the lights, planning to artificially extend the horses' lighting time.]
Strong light can help mares ovulate.
Some studies suggest that the longer estrus cycle during spring and summer is a significant factor in why mares typically go into heat.
Nowadays, many horse farms also keep the horses' lights on until quite late during the breeding season.
Shining lights on the horses is a fairly common way to induce estrus in them.
Shi Wen little experience, I decided to try the method described in the book.
Baoye A Sai's horse farm has bred so many horses that they are very clear about this.
He said to Shi Wen, "[That's a good method. If all else fails, you can also try ovulation-inducing injections.]"
Shi Wen, "[Let me think about it some more. If it really doesn't work out, we can arrange breeding again next year.]"
Baoye A Sai: [Yes, yes, it's your horse, you're in charge. If it needs anything, just tell me.]
Shi Wen: [I won't stand on ceremony with you. Didn't I just send Shi Suo and Yan Shi to your horse farm?]
After exchanging a few words and making arrangements, Shi Wen first Shi Wen Shi Suo and Yan Shi off, and then began the work of breeding the horses.
His family bought a total of twenty horses, only nine of which were mares.
There are more stallions than mares, which means that mares have a wider selection.
Unless absolutely necessary, Shi Wen does not want to interfere with their pairing.
Animals also have their own choices, and given a sufficient number of options, they can usually choose the mate that best suits them.
Allowing them to pair up freely often yields more surprising results than forcing them to pair up artificially.
Of course, this is under the premise that Shi Wen are no specific requirements. If there are requirements, such as pursuing a certain trait, then manual screening will be necessary.
At least in the first year, Shi Wen didn't want to do this manual screening.
To ensure the smooth running of this breeding season, Shi Wen specially adjusted the horses' feed ratio, striving to increase energy levels and protein.
In addition, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins have been increased, and they have also been given high-quality grass and concentrated feed.
At this time of year, there's very little green grass outside, but Shi Wen still adds a touch of greenery to the mix, along with the usual carrots and fruits.
Under Shi Wen's meticulous care, the horses soon entered their second estrus cycle.
This time, without the Shi Suo, the mares no longer resisted the stallions.
They tentatively paired up and walked together affectionately.
It's difficult to tell if a horse is pregnant.
Generally, once they become pregnant, their estrus cycle ends, and they will not have another estrus cycle.
If they don't get pregnant, they will continue to go into heat according to their cycles until the season is no longer suitable.
Shi Wen we can do is wait patiently.
During this period, Shi Wen's main focus was on taking care of the horses.
He didn't have much time to train the new puppy, so he asked Heiwa and the others to help with the training.
Four new puppies, led by six adult dogs, began their arduous learning journey on the ranch.
Heiwa is a good teacher, and the other dogs are also very qualified sheepdogs. Under their guidance, Miao Wa, Xi Wa, Shun Wa, and Xing Wa have been trained to be quite good.
They can understand Shi Wen or gestures.
It seems that these new puppies have done a good job of socializing within the pack.
After a busy day and night, the horses finally finished their mating season.
Based on the results, it appears that all the mares became pregnant.
They stopped being restless and stopped looking for stallions, and became peaceful again.
Shi Wen wasn't entirely sure about the result, so he specifically asked the veterinarian Sikewell, to come and take a look.
Sikewell arrived quickly with his toolbox.
He looked at the horses belonging to the Shi Wen family. "I've heard you keep a herd of celestial horses, but this is the first time I've ever seen them."
Shi Wen, "That means you haven't been coming to my ranch as often lately."
Sikewell smiled and shook his head, "Your livestock are well-raised, and you've learned some veterinary techniques yourself, so you don't really need my help anymore."
Shi Wen, "Who said that? We can never do without the guidance of senior colleagues."
The two chatted as they worked.
Sikewell quickly finished examining the horses, put down his stethoscope, and concluded, "Your horses are all fine, healthy, and pregnant."
Shi Wen a sigh of relief, "I also think they're pregnant with foals, but I'm not entirely sure."
Horses show signs of estrus, and signs also indicate the end of estrus. These signs can be observed from their udders and vulvas.
However, this is not absolute.
Shi Wen that he doesn't have much experience in horse breeding, he values Sikewell's opinion more.
Sikewell said, "Don't worry, the horse is very healthy. It doesn't even need any medication to prevent miscarriage; just a better diet will do."
Shi Wen, "Okay, I'll pay more attention."
There were no problems with the horses, Shi Wen invited Sikewell to handle the puppy's situation.
The puppies hadn't been examined by a proper veterinarian from birth until weaning, and Shiwen wanted to have them checked by Sikewell and vaccinated Shi Wen.
They have a lot of livestock here, so they feel more at ease after getting vaccinated.
Shi Wen didn't tell the puppies beforehand, but he left them in the main yard and didn't let them go out to graze.
Now that they need to be vaccinated, Shi Wen out and call out to them, "Miao Wa, Xing Wa, Shun Wa, Xi Wa-- "
As he called to them, Shi Wen gestured for them to gather in this direction.
Upon seeing the gesture, the puppies immediately came running over, their short legs wagging their tails, their mouths wide open.