[Serenity]

to a comment posted above.

Of course I have the means of having a foal, I wouldn't do it other wise. I am not some kid with this mare I am in love with. Most of the mares I have breed have been under 13, and I just wanted some opionons and experiences both positive and negitive to know what people have gone through. If the mare was a year older, I would have a harder time considering.

That is another reason I wanted to know what people have experienced with their maiden mares.

Thank-you for your time and comments. Positive or negative.

[Equine Repro]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

There was a thread recently talking about risks associated with foaling and basically when you add up all the good years and all the bad years and all the well managed mares and all the barely-on-record mares you end up with about a 10-15% chance of losing the mare, the foal, or both during or just after labor.

I'm not sure where you got those numbers, but statistically speaking, the chances of a dystocia or problem with a foaling overall is about 2%! NO where near 10 to 15%. Even when dealing with an older maiden mare, the chances are no where near that high.

I've literally foaled out 100's and 100's of mares, including LOTS of older mares. Those stats are pretty much right on the money, thankfully. Obviously, attending all foalings helps to minimize catastrophic problems, although it will never completely eliminate them.

Hope that helps!

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[Lou3]

I would not personally breed a maiden mare older than 14 (when she foals) - EVER.
however if you really feel you want to take the risk, make sure you have a full breeding soundness exam, and preferably have her foal out at a specialist vet clinic just to be on the safe side because complications are much more likely.
I wouldnt do it - the risks are unnecessarily high for my liking but at the end of the day its your mare and your choice. If you have the money to spend on regular vet checks and a specialist foaling facility then its up to you.

[County]

Lou3 do you have any stats to back up your claim? I've seen nothing that would indicate there at all true.

[Buckshot]

If she's registered, and you have a good repro vet to work with you, I'd give it a try.

I'm sure you're fully aware of all the risks involved with ANY breeding--not just breeding an older maiden mare.

[Lou3]

Originally Posted by County

Lou3 do you have any stats to back up your claim? I've seen nothing that would indicate there at all true.

I posted several papers on the last thread on this topic showing that they ARE true.

[Serenity]

Yes, Breathless is registered. She is really an amazing mare. My partner owned her for her first 8 years of life, and then sold her to a wonderful home, and just a few weeks ago they wanted to give us her back, they owned her for over 10 years, and her pasture mate pasted away and they wanted her to go somewehere where she would be taken care of.

Breathless gets worked pretty much daily now, light work, nothing hard on her. She has good weight, and is very happy. She also gives lessons to beginners and younger children.

Our plan was to breed her to our Lusitano Stallion, whom is a good match for her in atheltic ability and movement. That way if by chance she has trouble taking, or there are other issues, we don't have to worry about cost in the sense of shipping semen across the country and that way we don't have to work with timing as much.

My Partner has also over his life owner Breathless's Grandmother, Father, and various other relatives. The lines carried by her grandmother are dominate in every generation. Quiet, well mannered, good movements, good temperment, quite to learn.

We are also only 5 minutes from a vet office, and 20 minutes from another
vet who has alot of experience working with reproduction and foaling. He used to work at a breeding farm for a good length of his life. He also helped in getting my maiden mare, who was 8 at the time, take AI the first time.

Anyways, I attached a photo of the stallion, whom we have owned since a weanling.

[Poke]

Yes there are risks. Like it was said, it can be a maiden mare or a proven mare. I would weigh the facts and risks involved. I've been fortunate to witness all of my births. And help the mare when it's needed.
I consider every pregnancy at risk so I take measures to make sure I'm there at foaling time. I have a camera system set up and monitor the mare. I also have my vets that are on call for the "just in case something happens". And sometimes it does happen.
Just my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps.

[Serenity]

I will definately have a vet involved. To at least min. the things that can go wrong.

[County]

Lou3 I'd be interested in seeing them in over 40 years of breeding I've never seen anything that indicates martes over 14 have any more problems then others. Nor that even mares in their 20's do. If the mare is healthy and sound I've never seen age as a factor nor have I ever had any of the repro vets we use say they are.