This message is from: "Gail Russell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Well....I did a little research on Carol's assertion that size does matter. Looks to me like she is right. I did not immediately find anything to back that up in the horse-related literature, although the breeding soundness exam for a stallion does include a minimum size requirement.
However, in a ram's breeding soundness exam, there was a notation that greater size is positively correlated with greater fertility, and possibly even greater fertility in the female offspring of a lamb. See below: Given that sheep breeding is all about fertilit(more so than the multitude of things we select for in horses) it is logical that the sheep industry would be more likely to make this correlation "Scrotal circumference (width of the testicles at the widest point) should be measured as it gives a good indication of a ram's breeding ability. Sperm production is directly correlated to testicular width. Scrotal circumference will vary with season and body condition, but should be at its maximum peak during the fall breeding season. Ram lambs with a scrotal circumference of less than 30 centimeters and adult rams with a scrotal circumference of less than 31 centimeters should probably not be used for breeding. There is some evidence to suggest that rams with larger testicles will sire more prolific ewes. 75% White Dorper Ram Scrotal circumference is a good indication of a ram's breeding ability. Scrotal Circumference (cm) Questionable Satisfactory Exceptional Ram lamb 8-14 months < 30 30-36 >36 Mature ram > 14 months < 32 32-40 >40 "
