Breeding at 4

Lindsayanne · 02-15-2007, 07:19 AM

I don't remember who said it... kathy? But they said breeding a horse at 4 is less stressful to them than starting them under saddle at four. I thought that was interesting, and would like more info on that.

Quote:

not to mention mental maturity! It aint a good idea for a 14 yr old girl to have a baby, her body may be ready, but her mind aint. Same principle

Breeding at 5 may be like she's 14 or 15, but with such a long gestation period, she doesn't have to be a "mom" till she's 18 or 19.

Sondra · 02-15-2007, 07:19 AM

I don't like breeding most horse mares untill they reach five ro six. Pony mares on the other hand mature much faster so four isn't such a bad age for them.

Sondra · 02-15-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

I don't remember who said it... kathy? But they said breeding a horse at 4 is less stressful to them than starting them under saddle at four. I thought that was interesting, and would like more info on that.

I can understand that seeing that breeding at four is more natural for a horse than being ridden at four. In their wild & nautral state, if a horse has reached sexual maturity chances are she will be bred to maintain herd numbers. I am not saying that I support horses being bred so young, I am simply stating a fact.

Lou3 · 02-15-2007, 01:34 PM

Four is not so bad. Is she was going to breed her as a three year old I'd be worried but from a veterinary POV four to foal at five is perfectly acceptable. By that point the "fast" growth period is well and truly over.
However I'd have worries about the stud. I make a rule never to breed an unproven mare to an unproven stud. If possible I want BOTH thoroughly proven in both performance field and breeding field. Where thats not possible only one should be "green" in either field.

Top Dun · 02-15-2007, 05:45 PM

No bones on ALL breeds of horses grow at the same rate generally. All horses on average have a total bone maturity between the ages of 6-7 years of age. with only minor variations. A Tb and a Draft basically have the same growth rate as applied to bones, but some horses will LOOK more mature on the outside then others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil nicky

I have a question...don't tb's bones grow faster? I'm

tbtrainer · 02-15-2007, 05:53 PM

I dont think that comparing a 4 yr old horse to a 14 year old girl having a baby is realistic. If the mare has a mild temperment she will most likely make a good mother, and you dont have to worry about her leaving the baby and hanging out at the mall!

02-15-2007, 01:34 PM	#14
Lou3 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 7,088 Images: 30 Blog Entries: 1	Four is not so bad. Is she was going to breed her as a three year old I'd be worried but from a veterinary POV four to foal at five is perfectly acceptable. By that point the "fast" growth period is well and truly over. However I'd have worries about the stud. I make a rule never to breed an unproven mare to an unproven stud. If possible I want BOTH thoroughly proven in both performance field and breeding field. Where thats not possible only one should be "green" in either field. __________________ Do not condemn another persons culture until you have lived a lifetime in their shoes. FFFL

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02-15-2007, 07:19 AM	#12
Sondra Full Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NEPA Posts: 553 Images: 59 Blog Entries: 2	I don't like breeding most horse mares untill they reach five ro six. Pony mares on the other hand mature much faster so four isn't such a bad age for them.

02-15-2007, 05:53 PM	#16
tbtrainer Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 5,652 Images: 320	I dont think that comparing a 4 yr old horse to a 14 year old girl having a baby is realistic. If the mare has a mild temperment she will most likely make a good mother, and you dont have to worry about her leaving the baby and hanging out at the mall!