| Females should be washed and trimmed around their vulva prior to breeding. This will reduce the risk of infection and the male’s penis being entangled in their backside fiber. It is also ideal if you can birth your cria after shearing. Some people say you may want to avoid shearing just before birthing but I have never had problems shearing pregnant females, especially if they are calm. I shear my pregnant females in June just before the heat begins in our part of the world. I believe that heat stress is more dangerous to the pregnant female than the 15 to 20 minutes of shearing stress.Juvenile females can have a persistent hymen (10% + or -). Be sure to do a pre-breeding check of the vagina. Either you (once you are trained by a competent person) or your veterinarian should check maiden females by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into their vagina and gently probing to discover whether the hymen is retained or open. If a persistent hymen is present it can be punctured or stretched with gentle pressure. This will allow the male problem free entry and help insure a successful mating.
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