PARENTAGE OF GREAT-BASIN FERAL HORSES

Nearly 1/3 of Equus caballus foals were not sired by the harem stallion. In only c 1/2 of the multiple male harem bands was 1 stallion the sire of all the foals. Harem stallions averaged 12.2 ± 0.7 (SE) yr old (range 7-25) and dams averaged 7.1 ± 0.4 yr (range 2-20). Mares 6-8 yr old were twice as likely to have a foal as mares either younger or older. For management of population growth in wild horses, sterilization of dominant males will reduce but not eliminate foal production; female contraceptive implants could be effectively targeted to specific age classes. -from Authors