[Arabgirl99]

Is it okay to breed an unregistered mare that isn't a purebred and can't be registered with any national Asociation?

[Oscar]

Depends what you want the foal for...

[Arabgirl99]

Just to have a part of Ruby when she's no longer around. Because she's such a sweetie.

[lucky_pine]

If you are willing to keep the foal as long as you possibly can and know there is a good home for him if you can't keep him, then go for it. Just remember, there are tons of homeless foals out there and unwanted horses, don't let the baby become one.

[harli36]

It's fine to breed an unregistered mare as long as she has the conformation and temperment to be an exceptional performer/athlete.

IMO it's not really ok to breed a mare just to have a part of her, because the foal is an individual. THe foal could be the total opposite looks and temperment wise from her. I once knew a person who had an excellent mare in all reguards but her temperment, she was (to be nice) nasty. The foal ended up being one of my favorite horses because she was SOOOOOO sweet. So just because you want a little replica of your mare that doesn't mean it will happen.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Arabgirl99

Just to have a part of Ruby when she's no longer around. Because she's such a sweetie.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but these by themselves are not good reasons to breed a mare.

They aren't inconsequential by any means, but they should not be the deciding factors.

Conformation is a must. If you have good conformation, then having a great temperment on top of that gives you a better reason to breed.

Some people don't care about papers, but in reality, papers can make the horse easier to sell down the road. I realize you probably intend on keeping the foal forever, but things happen, and it's your responsibility as a breeder to give the horse the best chance possible to be able to perform some job and find homes the rest of its life.

This means breeding for good conformation, good temperment, and in reality, more often than not, for papers.

[Lightningsrider]

I think that it is just fine to breed a horse to always have a part of the mother/father. Of course, you should be careful about the stud that you choose, etc etc. Don't do it if you don't think you will keep her forever. Just because you want to breed her in order to have a part of your mare, does not mean that you want a little replica. Yes, every horse is different but you'll end up loving the baby just as much as you do the mother. My mare is a sweetheart and my foal is a brat, but I love them both dearly.

[Jenje!]

Depends on who you ask. Thank goodness everyone gets to make their own decisions.

For myself... no, it wouldn't be "okay". I'm of the mind that there are far better reasons to breed. I wouldn't call it selfish, exactly, that seems harsh... but consider this: we're slaughtering so many horses each year. Some of those that are "wasted"/die without love* are impeccably bred and were brought into the world after a lot of thought (and for more than the one reason). Why would you bring a foal into the world with a disadvantage "just because" you want something around to remind you of the baby's mother when she's gone?

In my honest, possibly brutal opinion? If you want something to remind you of the mare that will be around after she's gone, take pictures. Make videos, and love her like crazy while you have her. If you have other reasons for wanting to breed her, okay. Otherwise, there are an awful lot of homeless foals out there who come from unregistered mixed breeds who could use a loving home with you.

* I'm pro-slaughter for a variety of reasons and am not at all interested in starting up a slaughter debate, for the record. Still, I'm not exactly gung-ho about contributing the numbers who die each year.

[Heavenly Jumper]

Well, for the reason you gave. I don't think so. You are putting your mare at risk and the foal at risk for (IMO) selfish reasons.
Your mare could have a hard or even fatal pregnancy.The foal could end up unwanted.
If you want a baby (think long and hard about the financial cost and the time cost before you decide) there are many out there. If you want a memento from your mare, there are lots of different ways to remember her.

[MyBabyTex]

Originally Posted by lucky_pine

If you are willing to keep the foal as long as you possibly can and know there is a good home for him if you can't keep him, then go for it. Just remember, there are tons of homeless foals out there and unwanted horses, don't let the baby become one.

Agreed!!!!!!