[Lissette]

But at 17 years old, but tiptop shape
built nice

Do you guys think she can handle it(breeding)?
And how do you get a higher success rate of pregnancy?

[Magvns]

i wouldn't risk it personally.

[avasmom]

I have a similar aged mare-I went back and forth and back and forth, and decided not to take the risk. It's just not worth losing her over, it would be more at-risk than if she was 10 years younger. I figured if I really want a foal-I'll go buy one, and it'll be cheaper than if anything goes wrong if I were to breed my mare. I guess it's up to you though.

[RowdyRio1324]

With slaughter being illegal now, I wouldnt bring another horse in the world there are so many now, if you would be planning on selling the baby. But it's your horse so you make the choices.

Is she a maiden mare? If she is, tehn no I wouldn't risk it. I wouldn't bred a mare over 13 (that is just my preference,because i wouldnt want to risk it) But if she has had a foal before then she would probably be okay. But at 17 for her first foal(would it be?) i wouldnt think it would be a good idea.


*you might had said if she has had a foal before, i didn't read carefully.

[Mare]

Is she a maiden mare thats the question. My 22 year old mare just had a baby and did great. My maiden mare is 10 and just had one. So I would check with your vet and see what he thinks. If she is a maiden at that age I myself wouldnt do it.

[Heavenly Jumper]

Should I breed my mare?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then yes. Go for it because you know the risks and you are ready.

• Does my mare represent a good example of the breed?
• Is she free of major conformation and temperament flaws?
• Do you know whether or not she has any genetic flaws that she could pass on?
• Do I have the knowledge to choose a stallion who will compliment her?
• Will the resulting foal be bettering the breed?
• Do I want to have my mare pregnant and out of work?
• Do I have the facilities to have a foal born safely?
• Do I have the financial means to pay for:
  • Stud Fees AND mare care
  • Feed and Supplements for my mare AND foal
  • The many standard veterinary bills during the pregnancy
  • Unexpected emergency vet bills
  • The costs of raising that foal to ride-able age (feed, vet, farrier)
  • The costs of training for the foal
• Do I have 3-4 years to wait for the foal to be born and grow to trainable/ride-able age?
• Am I prepared to risk my mares death?
• In the event that she dies or rejects the foal, do I have the knowledge and means to care for the orphaned foal?
• Am I prepared to risk losing the foal?
• Am I prepared to risk losing them both?
• Am I experienced in handling and training a young foal?
• Do I have a plan for the foal if I can no longer care for it properly?
• Do I have an intended purpose for the resulting foal?
• After all this, am I willing to risk that the foal doesn't live up to my expectations?

My point is this: Look at the list above, they are the realistic responsibilities of breeding. If you said no to some of them, then you are better off saving the money, possible heartache, or whatever it is that turned you off from breeding and buy the horse that you want. I am not being mean or rude, just showing plainly things that need to be considered when lives are being created.

Should you breed your mare?

[Lissette]

thanks guys, this will be continued..soon