Effects of  Musculoskeletal and Neurologic Diseases on Breeding Performance in Stallions

Benson B. Martin, Jr., VMD
Sue M. McDonnell, PhD
Charles C. Love, DVM, PhD

Focal Point
•  Musculoskeletal and neurologic diseases, which are important causes of poor breeding performance in stallions, can be recognized and treated to prolong the stallion’s breeding career.

Key Facts
•  Recognizing the role of the musculoskeletal and neurologic systems as a common primary cause of poor breeding performance is crucial to successful evaluation and therapy, p. 1160.
•  The most important steps in treating chronic back pain are to determine and treat the primary cause, p. 1162. 
•  The importance of weekly monitoring and the use of a good farrier for stallions with chronic laminitis cannot be overemphasized, p. 1163.
•  Poor performance in breeding stallions is typically multifactorial and may involve the musculoskeletal, neurologic, and reproductive systems; behavior can also be a factor, p. 1166.

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