Should you breed your mare?

HeavenlyJumper · 03-03-2006, 08:00 AM

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.

NeighNeigh · 03-03-2006, 09:14 AM

^Well, stated HJ.

My answer is "no" to pretty much all of the above in regards to my mare.

Cara · 03-03-2006, 11:41 AM

excellent questions...

shell · 03-03-2006, 11:49 AM

Yes.

Too bad if you think otherwise. I got 2 babies out of her already.

Friesiangirl · 03-03-2006, 11:56 AM

nope lol plus i have no interest in breeding at the moment

Commanderkins · 03-03-2006, 12:05 PM

This should be a sticky......

Shannon · 03-03-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commanderkins

This should be a sticky......

Ditto. It would save us from a lot of arguements

Great post Heather

bay_blnd jmpr07 · 03-03-2006, 01:24 PM

I'm not going to get into the whole "risking your mare's life and/or foal's life" but I can say yes to all those questions...

chester · 03-03-2006, 02:04 PM

HeavenlyJumper · 03-03-2006, 09:51 PM

Glad that this can be helpful...

03-03-2006, 08:00 AM	#1
HeavenlyJumper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Camden County GA Posts: 12,050	Should you breed your mare? 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. Last edited by HeavenlyJumper : 03-03-2006 at 08:35 AM.

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03-03-2006, 09:14 AM	#2
NeighNeigh Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: So Cali Posts: 1,654	^Well, stated HJ. My answer is "no" to pretty much all of the above in regards to my mare.

03-03-2006, 11:41 AM	#3
Cara Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: California Posts: 3,559	excellent questions...

03-03-2006, 11:49 AM	#4
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,588	Yes. Too bad if you think otherwise. I got 2 babies out of her already.

03-03-2006, 11:56 AM	#5
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 9,450	nope lol plus i have no interest in breeding at the moment

03-03-2006, 12:05 PM	#6
Commanderkins Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm Canadian, So right on Eh! Posts: 2,668	This should be a sticky......

03-03-2006, 01:24 PM	#8
bay_blnd jmpr07 Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N.Granby, Connecticut Posts: 10,549	I'm not going to get into the whole "risking your mare's life and/or foal's life" but I can say yes to all those questions...

03-03-2006, 02:04 PM	#9
chester Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: inland of the coral sea Posts: 8,236

03-03-2006, 09:51 PM	#10
HeavenlyJumper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Camden County GA Posts: 12,050	Glad that this can be helpful...