How old...

Reyven · 05-09-2007, 02:05 PM

Well I don't really know much about actually breeding, so I thought to myself, what better place to ask a question than HGS breeding forum?!

So this is just a quick question, not because I plan on breeding my horse, which I wouldn't mind doing for myself because I love her to death, but doubt I probably ever will!
What ages should horses start being bred, and at what age are they considered too old to breed?? Are there more health side effects when they are older/younger??
Thanks!

Acme Acres · 05-09-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reyven

Well I don't really know much about actually breeding, so I thought to myself, what better place to ask a question than HGS breeding forum?!

So this is just a quick question, not because I plan on breeding my horse, which I wouldn't mind doing for myself because I love her to death, but doubt I probably ever will!
What ages should horses start being bred, and at what age are they considered too old to breed?? Are there more health side effects when they are older/younger??
Thanks!

A lot of it depends on the horse. I've seen mares as young as 2 bred that could physically handle it, then I've seen 3 and 4 year olds you'd never consider breeding. When a mare gets up to the 15 and older age, it's not always a wise idea to breed them if they're maiden. Think about their uterus as a rubberband. After a while, the elastic gives out and it gets crunchy

Horsefeathers3 · 05-09-2007, 04:30 PM

As acme acres said, alot has to depend on the horse. I personally would never breed a horse before 3, preferably 4. Their bodies are still growing at that age and having a foal inside is taking nutrients from them that they are needing to finish growing. I've heard of mares as old as mid to late 20s still breeding, but of course they weren't maidens are were experienced broodmares. A vet can do a breeding exam on an older mare and if she checks out clean and the vet gives the OK, breeding shouldn't be a problem.

Reyven · 05-09-2007, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the info!

05-09-2007, 02:05 PM	#1
Reyven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,044 Images: 14 Blog Entries: 4	How old... Well I don't really know much about actually breeding, so I thought to myself, what better place to ask a question than HGS breeding forum?! So this is just a quick question, not because I plan on breeding my horse, which I wouldn't mind doing for myself because I love her to death, but doubt I probably ever will! What ages should horses start being bred, and at what age are they considered too old to breed?? Are there more health side effects when they are older/younger?? Thanks!

05-09-2007, 04:30 PM	#3
Horsefeathers3 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,165 Images: 51	As acme acres said, alot has to depend on the horse. I personally would never breed a horse before 3, preferably 4. Their bodies are still growing at that age and having a foal inside is taking nutrients from them that they are needing to finish growing. I've heard of mares as old as mid to late 20s still breeding, but of course they weren't maidens are were experienced broodmares. A vet can do a breeding exam on an older mare and if she checks out clean and the vet gives the OK, breeding shouldn't be a problem. __________________ -Chelsea Secretary of the Player Fan Club

05-09-2007, 06:21 PM	#4
Reyven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,044 Images: 14 Blog Entries: 4	Thanks for the info!