How old do you retire a broodmare?

SouthernChick · 02-19-2007, 05:56 PM

This question has been bugging me lately because I know some people who are breeding a 20 year old app mare and besides there is no reason to breed her and she is in poor health dont you think that is a bit old? Or not, I really dont know. I've been trying to talk them out of it because they have no good or even fairly good reason to breed her, and she's in poor health another thing I try talking to them about. So what age would you retire a broodmare for example a healthy good bloodline, show qualtity broodmare? Above I was kinda venting because of how hard headed people can get.

prettyqtrs · 02-19-2007, 06:02 PM

It depends on each individual mare. We had one mare that had her last foal at the age of 24.
And I have heard of and know of mares that have been bred later than that- but they are healthy, have no issues foaling, produce nice foals, etc.

Jenje! · 02-19-2007, 06:06 PM

20 isn't too old, IMO, no.

Age isn't the only factor... past breeding history is a lot more important along with a breeding soundness exam from your vet.

Vengeance · 02-19-2007, 06:12 PM

I know a guy who has a broodmare that he just reitred last year. The mare is between 28 and 30, I think, close to that age anyway. She is in with a stallion, but hasn't gotten pregnant in about two years. (the stallion is about that age too, and they are just companions in their old age).

Lexy · 02-19-2007, 06:26 PM

Squeekie (Scotts Bar Lady) had her last foal in 1996. She was 30 yrs old. She had a total of 19 foals. (18 registered, 1 died shortly after birth). The reason we didn't breed her anymore was because we decided to take a break from horses, at least the showing and breeding part. She died 2 yrs ago. She was 2 weeks shy of her 40th birthday.

Here is a pic of her in 1997 at age 31.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...dy30yrsold.jpg

Lexy · 02-19-2007, 06:28 PM

Guess the photo links aren't working?

Circle C · 02-19-2007, 06:37 PM

I've seen 25-30yr old mares foal out fine

flyingmonkeys2 · 02-19-2007, 07:04 PM

This is Chance's last year, and she's going to be 23 on May first. She'll go down to IL to a friends to "make friends" with her stallion, and then she'll be done after that foal.
She's in great health and throws sweet babys.. but really, I just don't want to take the risk anymore, just incase there is an issue.
We've had 15 great years, i figure the last ten or so should be kid free.

ryu2832 · 02-19-2007, 08:20 PM

Age isn't the deciding factor, the mare's health should be the deciding factor. If she is in poor health, then I wouldn't breed.

Mare · 02-19-2007, 09:37 PM

My mare is 22 and due in April. The vet says shes in great shape. But she will be going on a diet after this baby. She has really packed the pounds on this last year.

02-19-2007, 05:56 PM	#1
SouthernChick Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Eustis Florida Posts: 261 Images: 14 Blog Entries: 1	How old do you retire a broodmare? This question has been bugging me lately because I know some people who are breeding a 20 year old app mare and besides there is no reason to breed her and she is in poor health dont you think that is a bit old? Or not, I really dont know. I've been trying to talk them out of it because they have no good or even fairly good reason to breed her, and she's in poor health another thing I try talking to them about. So what age would you retire a broodmare for example a healthy good bloodline, show qualtity broodmare? Above I was kinda venting because of how hard headed people can get. __________________ "Get thrown off 7 times, Mount back up 8" "Grab Life By The Reins"

02-19-2007, 06:02 PM	#2
prettyqtrs Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,107	It depends on each individual mare. We had one mare that had her last foal at the age of 24. And I have heard of and know of mares that have been bred later than that- but they are healthy, have no issues foaling, produce nice foals, etc. __________________ ~Meg~ ~ Poco ~ BG ~ Star ~ Deville ~

02-19-2007, 06:06 PM	#3
Jenje! Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,810 Images: 910 Blog Entries: 27	20 isn't too old, IMO, no. Age isn't the only factor... past breeding history is a lot more important along with a breeding soundness exam from your vet. __________________ ♥ Jen Zombies, Monsters &Ooze (a blog) That love is all there is, is all we know of love. - E. Dickinson *** VA Allure * BBA First Page * Instead Of Flowers ***

02-19-2007, 06:12 PM	#4
Vengeance Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gallant, Alabama Posts: 2,925 Images: 4	I know a guy who has a broodmare that he just reitred last year. The mare is between 28 and 30, I think, close to that age anyway. She is in with a stallion, but hasn't gotten pregnant in about two years. (the stallion is about that age too, and they are just companions in their old age). __________________ "Horses change lives. They give young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls. They give us hope." I Hath Been Snowballed! x3

02-19-2007, 06:26 PM	#5
Lexy Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 545 Images: 112 Blog Entries: 2	Squeekie (Scotts Bar Lady) had her last foal in 1996. She was 30 yrs old. She had a total of 19 foals. (18 registered, 1 died shortly after birth). The reason we didn't breed her anymore was because we decided to take a break from horses, at least the showing and breeding part. She died 2 yrs ago. She was 2 weeks shy of her 40th birthday. Here is a pic of her in 1997 at age 31. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...dy30yrsold.jpg __________________ *Dream if you wish.... Dreams are a nice diversion from reality and sometimes they are all that gets you through.*

02-19-2007, 06:28 PM	#6
Lexy Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 545 Images: 112 Blog Entries: 2	Guess the photo links aren't working? __________________ *Dream if you wish.... Dreams are a nice diversion from reality and sometimes they are all that gets you through.*

02-19-2007, 06:37 PM	#7
Circle C Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Meadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 3,010 Images: 59	I've seen 25-30yr old mares foal out fine __________________ "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ....and yes, I'm pro horse slaughter.

02-19-2007, 07:04 PM	#8
flyingmonkeys2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jefferson,WI Posts: 1,039 Images: 295	This is Chance's last year, and she's going to be 23 on May first. She'll go down to IL to a friends to "make friends" with her stallion, and then she'll be done after that foal. She's in great health and throws sweet babys.. but really, I just don't want to take the risk anymore, just incase there is an issue. We've had 15 great years, i figure the last ten or so should be kid free. __________________ His Neigh is like the bidding of a monarch, and his countenance enforces homage. William Shakespeare

02-19-2007, 08:20 PM	#9
ryu2832 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 2,959 Images: 43	Age isn't the deciding factor, the mare's health should be the deciding factor. If she is in poor health, then I wouldn't breed. __________________ Gene Pool: Warning, no lifegaurd on duty. "Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't." author Erica Jong

02-19-2007, 09:37 PM	#10
Mare Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 2,004 Images: 10	My mare is 22 and due in April. The vet says shes in great shape. But she will be going on a diet after this baby. She has really packed the pounds on this last year.

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