How often do you breed mares?

[MooreAcres]

Hey guys,

Just curious how many of you breed your mares every year?

Do you breed them a couple years in a row, then give them a year or two off?

E

 

[FoRebel]

Our mares are bred every couple years just so that we don't have all 25 mares foaling at the same time and that we only have 5 mares foaling at a time. Right now, for this coming season we only have 2 mares bred and we don't plan on breeding any mares this summer.

 

[weerunner]

I'd also like to hear everyones responses on this. I have bred one of my mares for two years in a row and am debating on whether or not she should be bred yet again. It is not a question of ethics on whether or not the world needs another foal from my mare. I am willing to keep any foal I produce as long as it takes to find it a perfect home, or keep it depending on what I get. The question is, is it ok for the mare? She had no troubles at all with last years pregnancy, and so far at day 282 this year things are coming along as planned. She does not lose weight and seems plain happy being pregnant and a mom. This year is her 4th foal and she is 11 years old,. What are everybody elses thoughts.

 

[sedeh]

I've changed to an every other year breeding program myself. I only want to have 1-2 foals a year. I have bred mares yearly but they don't always take. I think the most I've had a mare do was 2 years in a row.

 

[midnight star stables]

I don't breed - yet

I think it depends.

I have 2 mares currently - a 4 year old and a 16 year old.

I plan to breed both in 2009.

I do however plan to keep the 4 year old open for a year or two after. I'll give her a different job - more showing, nore driving, etc.

The 16 year old has had the last 2 years off. I plan to breed her every year I can (i figure only about 3-5 more times anyways - if that) as I would give anything to a look-a-like daughter of her's. I plan to give this mare a forever retirement home after her brood mare days.

I don't see anything wrong with yearly breedings.... I hate to see farms producing HUNDREDS of foals each year....

 

[Shari]

Last mini foal I had on my farm was Theia.....and that was 6 1/2 years ago.

 

[eagles ring farm]

We only have 6 brood mares we breed them every year so far

unless one has foaled late in the season then we will skip a year

or if 1 doesn't take and it would be a later foal if we tried again

The most we end up with so far are 5 in foal and that is plenty

for us. If it was less that would be fine too.

we are fortunate all 5 of our bred mares are due to foal by mid June

and we do prefer them earlier like Mar-June

One of our favorite mares is not in foal this year so she'll hopefully

take for an early foal in 2010

 

[Katiean]

I do not breed year after year. IMO if you breed a mare every year by the time she is 16 or 17 she is all used up and won't have a long retirement. I also do not approveof breeding a 2 year old.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I have never, ever given a mare a "year off".

They are horses, animals, they actually prefer to be in foal (if they are used to it) than they would standing around doing nothing.

Now, if you were going to harness train her, or show her, fine.

If my mares take a year off, that is absolutely fine, no problem at all.

But, basically, so long as they are healthy, there is no need to even think of it.

If you decide to take a mare out of the natural cycle you must be prepared for her not getting back in foal, or having problems doing so, anyway.

And you have also to be prepared for her not thanking you for it, too!!

If none of your mares were put in foal, and so no foals born that year, it would probably be OK, but an empty mare can be a lonely thing.

They do not think things through as we do, sometimes it is best not to anthropomorphise too much.

 

[End Level Farms]

My breeding is usually 2 years on 1 year off.

This does fluctuate occasionally due to mother nature.

That being said I do have an 18 year old mare that I plan on breeding for the next 2 years and then retire her to a wonderful part of my lesson and sharing program.

I also do not believe in breeding more mares than you have room to keep all of the foals. Chances are you are not going to have to but you have to be prepared for the worst case of not selling any as well.

 

[Reble]

I have my stallion running with his herd of mares every year, but mother nature usually makes the final decision.

 

[LAZY J MINIS]

I BREED SOME MARES EVERY 2 YEARS. THEN I HAVE TIME FOR THE BABIES AND IMPRINTING THEM AND LOVING ON THEM( MY FAVORITE).