[AtomicTop]

I have a Welsh Mountain Pony mare. She was given to me by an old gentleman who has gone into a retirement village. He does not remember too much except that she has a pure welsh mountain dam. Not too sure about the sire at this stage. My question at this stage, as a complete novice, is it ok to breed a horse with no pedigree? The idea is to have a foal that will grow into a horse for my children. I realize you should not perpetuate badly conformed horses but she is an absolute beauty. What is the acceptable thing with this situation? And is she too old to be a first time mother at 16 years of age?

[RiddleMeThis]

Not too old, but it may no be easy to get her in foal. Personally I say no to breeding her for a bunch of reasons. Read the sticky at the top of the board for a really good explanation of things.

[sirius-dressage]

I agree...you will find most people on this board will say no to breeding her. There are plenty of horses and ponies a dime a dozen that I am sure your children would enjoy that you can get for very cheap right now that were bred for the same reason (no pedigree but mama is just beautiful) that are flooding auctions or sitting in someone's back yard.

Your children would probably enjoy it just as much if you went out and picked up a baby from auction for $300 and let them see that one grow up, as they would be if they saw it born out of your mare.

[kyryah]

I personally do not believe in breeding horses that have no pedigree or history. For one, there are many genetic diseases with horrific results that are traced by bloodline. For two, there are many horses and ponies that need homes right now. You can get a good quality, even registered weaniling baby for next to nothing in the current market.

Please refer to this thread Considerations for breeding your horse / pony

It can cost upwards of $2000 to get a good quality, healthy baby on the ground. I realize you can find studs with very cheap stud fees, $200 and less, but IMO if they are that cheap to breed to then they are not worth anything as a sire. Vet fees and vet checks are a harsh reality. I just had a mare that foaled (I bought her in foal) and she is grade (no pedigree/papers.) Not only did she retain the placenta and require a uterine flush and shots of penicillan, but the baby also was born with contracted tendons in his front legs. There are no guarantees in breeding. The problems had nothing to do with her actually being grade, but because she is grade I will not be rebreeding her.

Kristina

[Tymacs Girl]

Where's Heavenly? We need her list again. Haha.

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by AtomicTop

I have a Welsh Mountain Pony mare. She was given to me by an old gentleman who has gone into a retirement village. He does not remember too much except that she has a pure welsh mountain dam. Not too sure about the sire at this stage. My question at this stage, as a complete novice, is it ok to breed a horse with no pedigree?

IMO - The first question should be "What does she do?" You don't tell us anything here. Is she "just a mare" or does she excell in some specific job? If she is a very nice riding horse that is sane and sound, then you can find 100's of them already broke and finished with proven performance every day. However, if she is a childrens jumper who outshines others in the ring and has fablous "type" and a fantastic mind, then maybe, if you find the right stud.

But right now all we know is that she is a horse with overies. In that case, I say no.

[Simply Savvy]

If this is the same pony mare you are talking about in this thread: Difficult pony then no, I would definitely pass on breeding her.

[imjustjoking22]

Originally Posted by Simply Savvy

If this is the same pony mare you are talking about in this thread: Difficult pony then no, I would definitely pass on breeding her.

Haha good point!

I think you will get a definite no from 99% of the members of this forum. It's not worth it financially, and takes a lot of time, attention, etc even for an uncomplicated birth. Buy a baby that is cute at an auction or something, you will be happier that way.

[doublebarr]

Oh, good catch Savy.
This horse:

I have recently been given a pony. She is 16 years old and has not been ridden/handled for 5 years. She's gone a bit wild. Has never previously lived with other horses and had never been floated before. I managed to get her on the float no trouble at all and she let me handle her reasonably happily. Then, after meeting my other 2 horses (big Standardbred gelding and other gelding pony), she didn't want anything to do with me. Would not let me approach, would nip when touched anywhere. Have now got her at the point where she let me put on the halter. Lets me groom her to about half way down her back. Get's edgy when handled near the back and really fights when you try to pick up her legs. I have been very keen to ride her (I know it's naughty when the ground manners are lacking) but I could not resist. She was ok. Did not buck or anything. Was VERY goey though! She is so insanely attached to my big gelding that she wants to run to him all the time. This is where my biggest problem starts. She gets so anxious when separated from him, that I can't attempt any successful training. She gets so worked up, she literally runs over me. Can't lunge or do anything with her. Is the key to this trying to wean her off him by keeping her separate from him for more and more time every day. Also I have a suspicion she may have cushings. Could the hormones released due to this condition be messing with her head? I have the vet coming out to test for cushings in a few days but I am just keen to know who has any ideas about what I can do about her manners. Thanks!

Reading all that, then NO! You have an unproven mare with no history and possibly Cushings. Even with papers and a history she does not exhibit the attitude I would want to pass on.

[kyryah]

I read the above posted thread, and I agree. If that is the horse that you are considering breeding, I most certainly would not do it, in the very least because she may have Cushings. I am not claiming that it is hereditary because I do not know, but would it be fair to a mare that has a potentially life threatening disease, to make her carry/nurish a foal? I think not. Cushings also can cause founder/laminitis, and the extra weight of being preganant could be dangerous for the mare, and harm her feet irreperably. If she was to retain the placenta after foaling, chances of her founding go up signifacantly.

Also, it sounds like she has some major behavioral issues, and not a lot of handling. You do not know if she has a good mind yet or not.

I would retire her as a happy, well cared for, loved horse, and consider buying a foal if you are insistant on having one. However, in my honest opinion, your best bet is to find a well broke, oldy but goody kids horse. There is no gaurantee that any foal is going to grow up to be a good children's horse... What would you do with it if it is not? I would get a proven horse for your children, and cut the guesswork.

Kristina