From Broodmare to.....?

[Tremor]

I've had this lingering thought in my head for the past couple months.

We've totally revamped our herd, which was made up of 1 stallion, four mares, and their offspring. Since last fall we've sold two mares that didn't fit the herd into the herd very well because of their attitudes, and our stallion. Breeding is out of the question as our colts were gelded.

So, I've been thinking of what I've been wanting to do with my herd. Mostly everybody has a use except for two mares. (One is a dwarf who is getting into her teens)

Well, I have one mare who will be nine years old. She was shown as a weanling, and I think that's it. Well, she's been a broodmare since then. She foaled her first in 2006 and has produced something each year. This year is her last. Thank heavens!

She's a great mare who I just don't want to sit in a pasture for the rest of her years. She young still but beyond her years reproductively and maternally. I want to be able to do something with her even if its just taking her to a show once a year in whatever it may be.

Now, I'm not talking about anything this year. Maybe not anything next year. She deserves some time off just to be a horse in good physical condition.

Now, I'll admit that she isn't the nicest looking mare. At the moment she's pregnant, which detracts from her appearance. She's cow hocked, sickle hocked (maybe), toes out, and butt high. She may have more that I can't identify. It has been suggested that she even has a stretched pre-pubic tendon. I wouldn't be surprised since she's been pregnant six times.

But, I have a question.

Say, take the baby out of the picture here ( in the belly) and fast forward to either 2012 or 2013 after she's had some time off. By looking at pictures like this would you possibly suggest to the owner (my mom and I) that she'd be okay in some sort of discipline, be it driving, showmanship, jumping, etc....?

I'm just insanely curious as I want to get a feel for what I would like to do in the future with my herd.

Thanks,

Julia

 

[Molly's Run Minis]

i think she'd make a flashy driving or jumping horse. 9 isnt that old, she still has plenty of useful years ahead of her

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

How about teaching her to drive and doing ADS events? She looks sturdy enough and in that discipline the older they are they better they tend to do.

 

[Matt73]

Ditto. She is just coming into her prime

Most jumpers (big horses) and dressage horses are not considered seasoned pros until 9+ (usually 10-12 years of age).

 

[ClickMini]

I canNOT believe that mare hasn't popped yet! LOL!

It's hard to say where she might excel, but I would say it is a GREAT idea to teach any mini how to drive! You will have a blast, and there is definitely a place for any horse that can do that whether it be in shows, CDE, parades, or whatever. I really appreciate the way you think, and I think you are just the type of youth that are the future of our industry!

 

[targetsmom]

I'm retiring an 11 year old broodmare who lost her foal this week and I plan to teach her to drive. I may train her to be an "all around mare" cause I know she can do halter obstacle. As long as the hind legs are strong enough to do pivots, any horse should be able to do showmanship. Lots of possibilities for your mare! Agree with what Clickmini said about your attitude!!!

 

[Marty]

Add nursing home visits to your list too!

 

[AnnaC]

I love it when people suggest keeping their brood mares - giving them a couple of years off and then teaching them something new, so well done you! You have a nice mare there, a really useful type. I would think she would make a reliable driving horse, if only for the pleasure of both of you. Also, as has been said, there is the possibility of parades or therapy visits etc. But the main thing is for her and you to have fun together!

However to Bow I have just one thing to say ......... COME ON BOW, DONT BE A MEANY - WE WANT TO SHARE YOUR NEW BABY WITH YOU. IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU SHOWED HIM/HER TO THE WORLD!

Anna

 

[Eagle]

I agree with the others, Good for you Julia for loving your mare and not just keeping a breeding machine, Bow is a very lucky girl. Driving ia always fun even if it is just at home. My 11 year old will even go for a spin with my stallion and he doesn't like horses.

Bow, the sooner you have this baby the sooner your fun will begin.

 

[Tremor]

Thanks guys.

I think its my goal to be able to send her to a trainer in the next couple years, when she's had enough time to settle down, and when I've had enough time to find a suitable trainer and to save up the money for the said trainer. I don't want to be the one who messes her up because I didn't send her to a trainer.

It won't be anytime soon, but before five years is out.

I kind of doubt Bow would be a prospect for nursing homes, as she is kinda skittish and rude. We'll be working on ground manners excursively for the next couple years. If we're able to work out the kinks, then maybe.

So far Ive taught her not to charge through the gate when I'm letting her out. And to act like a good girl while somebody is trimming her hooves.

 

[BBH]

I bought a mare 2.5 years ago that had only been used as a brood mare but I love this mare.......it took alot of ground work and hours of just spending time with her but she has been driven since Sep. and loves it......any mini trained to do anything is better than sitting in the pasture.......she is now 8 and doing well.......there is a life for mini mares beyond being a baby machine. You may be surprised how quickly she will take to lessons after this baby is weaned. Start slow and get some basics down and build a relationship........good luck......and cde/adt/hdt is just plan fun!

 

[Sandee]

You say that she's "kinda skittish and rude." May I suggest that you work with her - after delivery and probably weaning- on groundwork. Simple stuff like you might use for obstacle. The practice with negotiating obstacles and listening to you will "pay off" when she goes to train for driving. Also in the mean time you might find out that it's a class that she would do well in. It also gives you something to do with her while she gets "back in shape". No training, no matter how little, is ever wasted.