Have you ever considered breeding your mare to create your dream horse? If so, there are some important do’s and don’t that you need to follow to ensure that both your mare and foal are healthy and happy. Let’s take a look at what you should, and shouldn’t, do.
Do Seek Professional Advice
If you own a mare and want to breed her, the first thing you should do is seek professional advice. Experienced breeders and horse industry experts will be able to direct you to the most suitable stallions. Remember, different stallions have different purposes (even within a specific breed). For example, some Thoroughbreds are bred for racing, while others are bred as sport horses. The very first thing you can do for your new foal is to ensure that he or she is bred for the purpose you want to use them for. Additionally, a consult with your veterinarian about the process of breeding your mare, as well as what to expect during the pregnancy will help you plan and be prepared throughout the process.
Don’t Choose a Stallion Without a Plan
Many amateur breeders simply go and visit a stallion, eyeball it, and then decide that it’s a suitable match. But unless you have a rigorous set of standards in place, you could end up with any old beast siring your foal. Experienced breeders always have a plan for evaluating a prospective mate for their mare, including specific measurements and gauges of the animal’s condition. Talk to experienced breeders and industry experts about their process and what they look for in determining a suitable match for their mares and do the same.
Do Be Honest About the State of Your Mare
To breed successfully, your mare needs to be in good health and be without significant congenital disabilities. It doesn’t matter how great the stallion is if the mare has issues with her own health. The mare could easily transmit these problems to the foal. So take an unbiased look at your mare and ask yourself whether it is wise to breed her. Perform the same checks as you would a stallion, and consider abandoning breeding plans if you spot an issue that you can’t solve.
Don’t Breed From Just a Photo
Many stallion owners advertise their horses using pictures and video, often online. But savvy owners never breed from photos and videos alone — if possible, you should insist on seeing the stallion in person first. If not, do your own, independent research including looking up the stallion’s show record, offspring show records and contacting other breeders and owners who have worked with the owners of your chosen stallion previously.
Do Ask Yourself If You Want To Look After a Foal
Looking after a mare already takes a lot of work and time. Do you want the added responsibility of having a foal in your care too? Be honest about the commitment and whether it’s something that you want to take on.
Don’t Just Think About Breeding Classes
There’s more to breeding than having a great two- or three-year-old. If you plan to own the horse for a long time, then you want to choose stock with excellent longevity and fitness, beyond the prime years. While there is tremendous value in breeding classes (both in hand and under saddle) and you should seriously consider supporting them, your foal’s life will (hopefully) last many years beyond breeding classes.
Do Make Sure It’s All Legal
A horse lawyer can give you advice on whether your breeding contract is set up correctly. They can also help you resolve disputes if you get into an argument with another party. You should have contracts in place for every part of the breeding process: from the stallion you use to breed your mare, to any boarding or hauling services you plan to use.
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