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This article goes into the behavior of stallions and mares. It also shows courtship, wild vs. domestic breeding and much more. For more information on horse breeding and courtship this article is fantastic.

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Mares can be restrained to prevent injury to the stallion by being controlled with a twitch and hobbles to inhibit kicking

Studs can have wire muzzles put over them to prevent them from biting.

All of these restrainments can however decrease libido, which in turn decreases success rates.

Hand breeding or controlled breeding averages around 50-60% success rates.

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http://articles.extension.org/pages/9786/horse-breeding-behavior

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/behavior/normal_social_behavior_and_behavioral_problems_of_domestic_animals/social_behavior_of_horses.html

http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-breeds/stallion-mare-mating-207.aspx

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In wild horses, dominance patterns are seen in herds and the stud will control mares and compete with other stallions. Modern stallions no longer have these dominance patterns because they are kept by themselves often and do not have their own herds to control in domestication on most farms.

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Stallions will prefer to mate with the dominate mares of the herd. Mares will even try to keep the lower ranking mares away from the stallion during mating times. Our book also references there could be other factors that influence stallions decisions. "Color and odor can influence the preference of stallions for certain mares. Pickett reported that stallions spent more time investigating passive mares weather or not they were in estrus" (Price 124).

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Different breeds and herds can actually have different vocalizations and noise frequencies. With domestication, the squeals by stallions have actually gotten quieter and are not as high of frequency.

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Miniture studs can be used as "teasers" which are used to detect if the mare is ready mate. Full size studs can be used too that are wearing shielding so they can't inseminate the mare. Both are a common practice on large horse farms with expensive stallions.

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A mare will squeal, kick, and bite the stallion preceding estrus. The stallion will follow the mare around until she reaches estrus. Once in heat the mare will urinate and raise her tail to expose her clitoris, showing the stallion she is ready to be bred . The stallion will show flehmen during courtship.

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Stallions typically great a mare with a prancing gait, neck arched, and tail raised high. The stallion will stomp or paw while nickering at the mare. Courtship is aggressive and the stallion will nip and strike the mare in the flank or shoulder to detect if she is in full estrus. Copulation lasts about 20-90 seconds on average.

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Documentary Behavior Animal Planet Burro & Horse Donkey Animal Mating Live

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Fully natural Horse mating scene (no human intervention)

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My two horses mating in the field few days ago. They got to know each other for weeks before this could happen. I am so happy now. Thanks for watching

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Stallions will exhibit herding techniques when another stallion is close by during breeding season. Herding is where a stallion runs their herd away to a new grazing area. While doing this, the stallion will have his head lowered, ears pinned back, and sways his head back and forth.

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There are three types of breeding today
- Pasture breeding
- In-hand breeding (haltering the mare and stud)
- Artificial Insemination

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Horses cycle every 21 days during spring and summer and are considered to be seasonally polyestrous. A mare will be pregnant for about 11 months before foaling.

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Harem groups are herds of horses in the wild. They generally have one high ranking stallion of the herd and he gets to do most of the breeding. However, some harems will have 2-year old colts that will be occasionally tolerated in the group, and are allowed to do some breeding.

Our book went on to point out that mares do prefer older and more sexually experienced stallions as mates (Price 136). With this being said, pasture breeding still can reach a 100% success rate.