[Super_Trooper]

I agree! wink

[Lou3]

The trouble with spending so little on a brood mare is that you probably shouldnt be breeding from a mare worth that little anyway. Remember there is a huge overbreeding problem so if the mare isnt up to scratch chances are the foal wont be either so it wont have much chance of a certain future. If you're gonna buy a brood mare make it a good investment that if you put it to a high enough quality stallion you're gonna get a first class foal. At least make sure the mare's conformation is impeccable and her blood lines/performance record top notch. Im not saying buy a purebred - grades can be just as good - as long as the conformation and performance record are amazing.
Lou

[crazi4horses]

thanks...i never really thought about it...

[Miss Thunder]

1) buying a Mare-In-Foal
2) Adopting one of the premarian mares at the voluteer shelter i go help out at
3) buying a mare and then next year breeding her

Do not buy a mare in foal unless you know the insides and outs of breeding and foaling. Incase of emergency, you wouldn't know what to do. Not a good idea unless you know what you're doing.

For the second one, I think that's a good idea if the mare isn't bred! Then again, if you know the insides and outs, then it might be a good idea. However, you stated you wouldn't know the dam and sire of the foal - that usually isn't the case. Most PMUs ARE registered. Parents are easily found.

Finally, Again, don't consider it if you don't know anything about breeding. It'd be something to consider though. Get use to the mare, find out if she is what you want to get a baby out of (remember, the baby will have 1/2 of it's traits from it's mother.), or if she is even "mommy material".

But if you do know a lot about breeding, then I'd suggest get a non-bred mare and find the stud you want. Also, buy from a well-known breeder. That way if anything is wrong with the foal, then you can go back and get a free breeding or whatever the case.

[Blistering Winds]

It is always good to caution the way QHGirl did. She didn't make it derogetory. Just stated that if she wasn't that way, she should consider a different route.

Many people give advice thinking someone knows what they are doing, and then all **** breaks loose. Better to clarify everything and give both sides of the spectrum than just one side.

Anyways, you state you want to breed the mare? Why? What reasons?

The market is flooded with horses and foals this year and will be for the next few years. It will take time before the market starts heading back up in horses. So I caution you on even thinking about breeding a horse.

I would go with a PMU mare not in foal. Most PMU's I see are registered QH's lately. You can easily research the sire and dam of that PMU mare. And in the future, IF she has impeckable lines and Comformation, then you might think about breeding if she is an exceptional "HORSE" and say that without Emotion involved.

Anyways, Good Luck!!

[crazi4horses]

thank you...i thought about it after reading all the posts(thank you guys so much!!) and if probably will just try to get a mare for my mom and breed her a few years down the road..that way we know the mare and her normal behavoirs.does this make sense or am i WAY off???
i may look into the pmu mares NOT in foal.

The ONLY way i will get any mare in foal right now is if i adopt one from the rescue farm that i voluteer at right now. And if i do that i will probably keep it there until she foals so shes not going into a new home right before she foals..

Thanks for All of the help!

~*paige*~

[i_love_rocky]

personly i think its better to get a mare in foal!! the owner of my yard did that!

[Abbie22057]

If you have your heart set on a baby, get a PMU mare in foal. That way you are not responsible for the overbreeding problem, but you are taking care of a baby that otherwise might not be taken care of. You obviously have enough experience to train the foal, at least the basics. You would also learn how to train a sensible, older horse to saddle instead of working with a young, flighty horse your first time. As far as foaling, if you talk to your vet for advice, read up on it, and be prepared, you don't need a lot of experience to have a mare foaling. Most will do fine on their own, especially those that have had a baby before.