[jeda_horse]

yep, Im thinking of getting into breeding in the not so distant future. Its not something I will rush into and I have a load of support as it will be my first foal

Anyway Ive been offered a very nice mare, with exceptional thoroughbred lines (close relation to Makybe diva ) Anyway she is only 3 years old, almost 4 and too slow for racing. She is a BIG boned 16.1/2hh. Brown, 2 socks and blaze. Easy keeper, good confo suitable to be re-trained as a dressage/eventer/jumper. Very quiet.

Im pretty set on taking her.

Anyway before I start training her I was thinking of breeding her to a killer stallion I was also offered cheap breeding too. He is a BIG warmblood stallion, with paint lines (so their is a possiblity of my foal being a paint ( OMG can you say DREAM HORSE) and while Im not breeding for the colour it would certainly be a great addition He is owned by one of the top riders and trainers in the country (qualified for Olympics) and is seriously a top-notch stally with serious showjumping lines.

Anyway so that is the mix Im planning on, should I put my plan into action. This is happening sooner than I expected but Im set up for it now, and the best opportunity has arisen at this time.

I would breed the mare quite soon after she arrives, but would still like to put a few miles on her before she gets to far along.

How far into pregnancy can a mare be ridden for? It will be easy stuff, just basic flatwork to build her training.

Then how soon after foaling can you ride? It seems obvious that I should wait till the foal is weaned, can anyone elaborate?

One foal is all I want from her, the foal will be my future competition horse so I wont be selling him on. See, I figure I breed her now, while Im still competiting Denzell then by the time, I have her trained up for comps I'll be ready to retire Denzell, then when the foal is grown up and trained I'll have my future comp horse

So anyway, I still have to discuss all this with my trainer and get his advice as he knows both horses and stuff, nothing is set in stone, just floating around the idea at the moment

[doublebarr]

The only problem I have with breeding mares before they are "tested" is the fact that you have no idea if she has the "mentality" you want to pass on to a foal. All you know right now is she is a nicely put together mare. She may have the mind of a peanut and I sure wouldn't want to continue that trait through to a foal. I'm a big fan of either proving breeding potential through performance in the ring or at a job. JMO

[jeda_horse]

Originally Posted by doublebarr

The only problem I have with breeding mares before they are "tested" is the fact that you have no idea if she has the "mentality" you want to pass on to a foal. All you know right now is she is a nicely put together mare. She may have the mind of a peanut and I sure wouldn't want to continue that trait through to a foal. I'm a big fan of either proving breeding potential through performance in the ring or at a job. JMO

That is something for me to think about. Thank you!!! Thats why I came to you guys Anybody have anything else they can contribute?

[Appylvr]

doublebarr made an execellent post.

What I can add... it's better to ride consistently throughout the pregnancy up until (I would say) 9 months. Maybe very light work in the 10 month. It keeps them in shape so they can foal easier... like they tell pregnant women now to keep exercising.

I don't think you need to wait until weaning to start riding again. My friend started riding her mare a month after. She would just go out for short trail rides (1 or 2 hours) without the baby (which I thought was cruel). But baby got used to it and was fine.

Both mare and stallion sound very nice and seem like they would make an awesome baby... where's the pics of them??? Just wanted to add.... pinto, not paint. It would be a pinto if it had color.

[jeda_horse]

Originally Posted by Appylvr

doublebarr made an execellent post.

What I can add... it's better to ride consistently throughout the pregnancy up until (I would say) 9 months. Maybe very light work in the 10 month. It keeps them in shape so they can foal easier... like they tell pregnant women now to keep exercising.

I don't think you need to wait until weaning to start riding again. My friend started riding her mare a month after. She would just go out for short trail rides (1 or 2 hours) without the baby (which I thought was cruel). But baby got used to it and was fine.

Both mare and stallion sound very nice and seem like they would make an awesome baby... where's the pics of them??? Just wanted to add.... pinto, not paint. It would be a pinto if it had color.

lol thanks for that advice.

I know I know, Im one of "those" people that call all coloured horses paints hehehe

[Appylvr]

Originally Posted by jeda_horse

lol thanks for that advice.

I know I know, Im one of "those" people that call all coloured horses paints hehehe

That's funny! Cause usually American's do that... and Europeans and Aussies I would think would naturally say Pinto.

[jeda_horse]

Originally Posted by Appylvr

That's funny! Cause usually American's do that... and Europeans and Aussies I would think would naturally say Pinto.

I spend way too much time on this american based forum

[chevalgal]

i know im younder than all of you 'senior members' lol
but anyway. all the books i read and all the verbal advice i got pretty much said dont ride my mare after she has passed the three months to go mark.
so i stopped heavy riding at about 4 to go. her belly stuck out further than my legs. but she was an overwieght horse before she was pregnant.
and my great-uncle (who grew up around horses) said take the foal with u on trail rides. im a bit iffy about this.
i think he means literally TRAIL rides, however, i ride on the road, and trails, so i prob wont be taking bub with us... dnt know wat to do about that yet...
lol

gud luck
chevalgal

[chevalgal]

oh btw,
where abouts in SE Qld are you?
im about an hour north west of brisbane

chevalgal

[kyryah]

I agree with what Doublebarr posted. I would definately get to know the mare, and get some miles on her so that you know what kind of temperment and mentality that sheis going to pass on to her offspring.

Also, IMO, 3 coming 4 is not really all that old. If you can put the breeding off for a year, I think that would be best. Let her mature totally, and then breed her.

The mare sounds great, and I would definately take her if I were you, but I would hold off on the baby for a bit. Otherwise, your plan sounds pretty solid.

Kristina