How Old Till Too Old?
- Thread starter Honey_Bear
- Start date
My trainer's foundation broodmare carried her last foal successfully at, I believe 21 or 22. This was obviously a very experienced mare (had a total of 16 foals).
If Fannie hasn't had any foals yet, you wouldn't want to wait so long. Maiden mares often have more trouble as they get older. A friend considered breeding her FEI dressage mare at 16, and after talking to several vets, decided against it. She didn't feel it was worth the risk to the mare's life. I would talk to your vet to get a more accurate idea based on your particular mare. Personally, I think between 10 - 12 is probably about the oldest maiden birth I would risk.
Please keep in mind, everything that is involved in deciding whether to breed a dog goes for horses as well. Is Fannie a good representative of her breed or sport-type? Have you carefully evaluated her conformation to determine the good and bad points? Has an un-biased professional done the same? What do you hope to improve in her foal? Has your vet examined her for signs of any genetic abnomalities/illnesses? What are your goals for that foal? Picking the stallion is incredibly important. You need one who will balance out the weaker points in your mare. In turn, your mare should balance his. No horse is perfect, and beware the stallion owner who claims his is
Be sure his temperment is one that you will be happy having in your foal. DO NOT SKIMP on the stud fee - it is one of the cheapest parts of breeding your horse. Put the extra money into getting the right stallion, not just your neighbor's down the road because it is cheap or a pretty color.
Remember, breeding horses is very expensive and an absolute crapshoot. I'll be honest, if you know Fannie's bloodlines, I'd be more inclined to look for a similarly bred horse who is a couple of years old. It gives you the ability to really pick and choose the traits you desire.
Keep us informed! Having spent so much time on a breeding farm, I do love stallion shopping!
If Fannie hasn't had any foals yet, you wouldn't want to wait so long. Maiden mares often have more trouble as they get older. A friend considered breeding her FEI dressage mare at 16, and after talking to several vets, decided against it. She didn't feel it was worth the risk to the mare's life. I would talk to your vet to get a more accurate idea based on your particular mare. Personally, I think between 10 - 12 is probably about the oldest maiden birth I would risk.
Please keep in mind, everything that is involved in deciding whether to breed a dog goes for horses as well. Is Fannie a good representative of her breed or sport-type? Have you carefully evaluated her conformation to determine the good and bad points? Has an un-biased professional done the same? What do you hope to improve in her foal? Has your vet examined her for signs of any genetic abnomalities/illnesses? What are your goals for that foal? Picking the stallion is incredibly important. You need one who will balance out the weaker points in your mare. In turn, your mare should balance his. No horse is perfect, and beware the stallion owner who claims his is
Be sure his temperment is one that you will be happy having in your foal. DO NOT SKIMP on the stud fee - it is one of the cheapest parts of breeding your horse. Put the extra money into getting the right stallion, not just your neighbor's down the road because it is cheap or a pretty color.Remember, breeding horses is very expensive and an absolute crapshoot. I'll be honest, if you know Fannie's bloodlines, I'd be more inclined to look for a similarly bred horse who is a couple of years old. It gives you the ability to really pick and choose the traits you desire.
Keep us informed! Having spent so much time on a breeding farm, I do love stallion shopping!
*sigh* I don't hear that nearly enough .
Honestly, the costs of breeding a horse are insane. And that's if everything goes okay. One mare at our barn ended up having to have a c-section! I can't even imagine.... And this is an experienced breeding farm with international quality, approved breeding stock. Breeding a backyard horse because you love it? Like I said, I'd go looking for a horse from the same bloodlines. Much less risky all around.
.Honestly, the costs of breeding a horse are insane. And that's if everything goes okay. One mare at our barn ended up having to have a c-section! I can't even imagine.... And this is an experienced breeding farm with international quality, approved breeding stock. Breeding a backyard horse because you love it? Like I said, I'd go looking for a horse from the same bloodlines. Much less risky all around.
I agree with BostonBanker as well. Carefully evaluate WHY you want to breed. These questions are important:
Originally Posted by Boston Banker
Please keep in mind, everything that is involved in deciding whether to breed a dog goes for horses as well. Is Fannie a good representative of her breed or sport-type? Have you carefully evaluated her conformation to determine the good and bad points? Has an un-biased professional done the same? What do you hope to improve in her foal? Has your vet examined her for signs of any genetic abnomalities/illnesses? What are your goals for that foal? Picking the stallion is incredibly important. You need one who will balance out the weaker points in your mare. In turn, your mare should balance his. No horse is perfect, and beware the stallion owner who claims his is Be sure his temperment is one that you will be happy having in your foal. DO NOT SKIMP on the stud fee - it is one of the cheapest parts of breeding your horse. Put the extra money into getting the right stallion, not just your neighbor's down the road because it is cheap or a pretty color.
Please keep in mind, everything that is involved in deciding whether to breed a dog goes for horses as well. Is Fannie a good representative of her breed or sport-type? Have you carefully evaluated her conformation to determine the good and bad points? Has an un-biased professional done the same? What do you hope to improve in her foal? Has your vet examined her for signs of any genetic abnomalities/illnesses? What are your goals for that foal? Picking the stallion is incredibly important. You need one who will balance out the weaker points in your mare. In turn, your mare should balance his. No horse is perfect, and beware the stallion owner who claims his is
Be sure his temperment is one that you will be happy having in your foal. DO NOT SKIMP on the stud fee - it is one of the cheapest parts of breeding your horse. Put the extra money into getting the right stallion, not just your neighbor's down the road because it is cheap or a pretty color.
YOUR BREEDING FANNIE!!!! :yikes:
She has never won any shows or anything! :yikes:
I COMPLETELY AGREE with BostonBanker!
She has never won any shows or anything! :yikes:
I COMPLETELY AGREE with BostonBanker!
So, if you are 12, then it will be another six or seven years. How old is Fannie now?
Where are they and what are they doing? This should give you an idea if she is going to produce the type you are looking for.
If you would like an unbiased critique, feel free to post a conformation shot of her. I'd be happy to give my honest opinion on her strong and weak points.
She's a TWH, right? I just wonder because your videos seem to focus on your love of jumping, and she appears to be gaited. Not really the type of horse that is normally used for that type of riding. I obviously have no idea what your riding goals are, but if they involve a lot of jumping or competing, you may want to take that into consideration.
Where are they and what are they doing? This should give you an idea if she is going to produce the type you are looking for.
If you would like an unbiased critique, feel free to post a conformation shot of her. I'd be happy to give my honest opinion on her strong and weak points.
She's a TWH, right? I just wonder because your videos seem to focus on your love of jumping, and she appears to be gaited. Not really the type of horse that is normally used for that type of riding. I obviously have no idea what your riding goals are, but if they involve a lot of jumping or competing, you may want to take that into consideration.