Breeding Mares

[cowgurl_up]

Hello everyone,

I am sure this sounds like an extremely novice question, , but when you are breeding, what is the allowable size difference? I have been around farms and breeding for 5 years but it has always been with big horses. Now I have fallen for these little minis and have been thinking about maybe picking up a mare to try for my first foal. My boy is 34 3/4 tall at 2, he will be 3 next year. Just so I know where my cut off is, what size would be too small to him. Can I go an inch shorter, 2? What is safe?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice! It is much appriciated!

 

[Miniv]

A lot will depend on HIS bone structure and also what the horses in his immediate background are like. (Do you have a photo of him?)

Then, you need to look at how wide and long the mare's pelvic area is, no matter what her height is.

MA

 

[cowgurl_up]

Thanks for the reply! Here is one of the better pictures of him but he is also the horse in my avatar. I have a ton more, but I haven't put them on Photobucket yet and of course I am at work. You can tell just how busy we are today since I have been looking around on here all morning!! :bgrin

I think I have decided that I am looking for a mare that is already bred for next spring. Then I know how she foals, I have a baby to play with

: , plus I want something that has been there done that since it will be my first mini baby.

 

[Lucky-C-Acres-Minis]

Very handsome guy you have there.. Love his dapples!

When it comes to mares for us we try to keep our mares the same height or taller than our stallion mainly because I personally do not like the tiny tiny mares and the stallion we are using is more of a stock horse type so I want mares that can compliment and accomodate him and his type.. I also look for mares that are broader built in the body because I feel the more body and width they have the easier it is going to be on them to accomodate their foal and have the room to get the baby situated and moved around come foaling time.. Of course JMO

I think you are very wise in looking for an experienced broodmare, that's the way I started out, I bought a mare that had had 4-5 previous foals.. Some things you want to look for and ask their owner about are things like:

*Does she breed easily? Has she had any breeding issues?

*Has she had any gestational problems? (ex: has she previously had issues with early fetal abortion, placentitis, late term abortion etc?)

*Is she an easy foaler? Does she need assistance or does she foal on her own?

*Is she a good mother? Attentive and potective of her foal(s)? (yes I have seen mares who have literally tried to take their foal's heads off :no: )

*Ask to see previous offspring whether it is in person (prefered if possible) or photographs as well as the stallion(s) she was crossed to for that offspring as it'll give you an idea of what she produces..

Of course this is all just my opinion.. I'm sure there will be others that will chime in and give tips and pointers too..

Also, with the face white your guy has, you might want to think about having him OLWS tested just to be safe.. The results pending the test will influence your decision on what mare(s) to cross him on as well..

 

[cowgurl_up]

Thanks Lucky C!!! He is very special to me.

Thanks for the mare advice also. Those are all very good questions for me to remember to ask.

I also agree about his white face. I actually have the paperwork filled out for it, I just have to get my hair samples so I can get it sent. I don't want to risk anything, and having a lethal white foal born would be horrible!!!

Thanks again!

 

[Katiean]

Personally, I would use a smaller stud than mare. JMO

 

[cowgurl_up]

Thanks Katiean!

I am thinking I will stay as close to my boys size as possible. I am thinking the smallest I would go would be 34 inches. It never realized how much "fun" it can be to pay very close attention to size. The ones I spot so far seem to be too small or bigger then what I want as I don't want anything over 35 1/2 for fear that the foal will go "over" height.

Thanks!

 

[Tammie-C_Spots]

My stallion is 34" and I have successful bred him to mares 32-36" with no foaling problems. If the mare is smaller I'd make sure she's roomy and has wide hips so the foal can pass easily. I wouldn't breed a petite young 28" filly to my stallion but I keep it reasonable and figure the mare's conformation in as top priority (wide bodied, good pelvic width) and try to stay above 31".

Tammie

 

[cowgurl_up]

Thanks Tammy!

I am so glad that I asked this question on here. I am getting very good feedback and have been getting a lot of suggestions for things that I need to look for and ask about.

Thanks everyone!

 

[MooreAcres]

What are your opinions on a 36" stallion to a 32-33" mare?

 

[Lisa Strass]

I have a 35.5" stallion that I bred to a 32" mare and ended up with a nice healthy colt. Now having said that, would I recommend everyone do this... Not unless you know your horses. In my case the stallion is very refined, and the mare had popped out a couple of babies sired by some heavier boned 34" stallions, so I felt comfortable with it.

Most of the mares I breed to my 35.5" stallion are 33.5" or larger.

 

[Tammie-C_Spots]

What are your opinions on a 36" stallion to a 32-33" mare?

If the stallion is refined and not stocky and the mare has good width I'd consider that breeding. Have to make sure though that the stallion isn't too big physically to "enact" the breeding and hurt her so I'd only hand breed and just make sure all goes well.

Tammie