New here, and new to breeding :)

[Jacquieb]

Hi to everyone,

I've enjoyed this board and website for quite some time but have never posted before. I thought this would be the perfect place to seek any helpful hints for my new breeding experience

After I graduate in late April with my coaching, horsemanship, riding, and equine management certificates, I plan on breeding my two mini mares for the first time. I feel that I am finally ready to take on such a responsibility and task after 6yrs of mini ownership and 3 yrs of full size horse ownership. However, I am in this 100% alone (family not into horses) and am quite nervous to breed my beloved mares. I want to be sure they are as healthy as ever and I would like to try to avoid all those scary complications I've heard about.

I am also curious of the hidden costs that are involved in raising two mini foals, important issues I should really take into consideration and if there is much more complications in breeding smaller mares(my one mini is just 27inch) and they have never been bred before.

thanks in advance for your time and help

Jacquie~

 

[Mona]

Ho Jacquie. Welcome to the Forum. You sound like you already have all your ducks in a row, and that is a GOOD thing! As for the expenses of a foal, I would say after it is born, the expenses would be the same as for any other horse pretty much, give or take a little. They still need all the routine farrier, vet, deworming, feed(smaller portions) etc.

As for the initial expense to get those foals, well, you will have to pay stud fees, which can range from just a couple hundred dollars, to a couple thousand or more. If you choose to buy a stallion, well of course that will vary greatly also.

Many folks(I personally don't, but I think I am the minority) give Pneumabort vaccinations to the mares at 5, 7, and 9 months. So multiply the cost of one shot, by 6.(3 per mare)

Then if you want to be fully prepared and want to invest in foal monitors, there is the expense of cameras, buzzers or both. These can be VERY costly, but very inexpensive devises can also be used. These would not be as good, but might prove to be better than nothing.

Good luck with your venture. Love "Little Miss Red Riding Hood's" outfit!

 

[kaykay]

sounds like your doing a great job getting ready. The biggest hidden cost imo is foal losses. We were lucky our first couple years and never lost a foal and then last year lost 3. 2 to late term abortions and one to dystocia. It was emotionally and financially devastating. I know alot disagree with me but the only mares I have had trouble foaling out are the small refined ones. Both had very refined foals but both had to have them pulled.

theres no doubt that in order to stay in the miniature horse breeding you have to live, eat and breath miniature horses

 

[Beccy]

Just want to say welcome to the board

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]Welcome from Richmond VA.... I have been doing this for over 25 years and have only lost 3 foals in all that time. I dont breed the tiny ones tho.... mine are in the 33-38 inch range. Sounds like you are doing all your homework and if you are careful and vigilent you can do well.[/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[Firefall]

Just wanted to add, I too raise mini's and do it almost 100% by myself, kids and hubby don't like them at all. Hubby will repair or get something for me but thats it, health care, feeding and anything else I do with them is me, myself and I.

Welcome to the world of minis! :aktion033: :aktion033:

 

[Magic]

HI Jacquie, welcome!!

First off, what I would do is have your mares checked by a vet for breeding soundness, and to make sure that they are big enough inside to be able to foal. A mare can *look* ok on the outside but not have enough width in the pelvic bones, etc, to get a foal out. Next, make sure that your mares are mature enough to foal. For smaller mares, many people prefer that the mares be a little more mature than for somewhat larger mares.

Then, look for a stallion or stallions to breed your mares to that are at least as refined as your mares are, and look at his previous get, to make sure that he is producing quality. The stallion(s) should also be about the size of your mares, not a lot bigger, as that could cause problems in foaling.

Expenses will vary widely, depending on your area, etc. For the last trimester, your mares will need additional high-quality feed, and even more after the foals are born. Vet bills are likely the biggest expense you will encounter, and those depend on if you have straight-forward pregnancies and births or have problems. Altogether, producing a foal can easily cost as much or more than buying one from somewhere else. Do realize, as well, that mares can and do have problems in foaling and mortality rates must be taken into consideration, for both mares and foals.

My biggest concern for you would be that you don't have help with the horses, and when mares are foaling, they MUST be attended (IMO). For me, that is fairly easy because I don't work outside the home, the horses are my job, so I can and do watch my mares 24 hours a day when they are due to foal. If you can't be there for them, there are foaling-out centers that will watch them and foal the mares out (for a fee of course).

I commend you for asking questions and getting prepared before you take on this challenge. :aktion033: Good luck!

 

[bitsy]

Hi and welcome, one thing you must remember, no matter how prepared, how well cared for, how well thought out, you can't stop the problems that occur in delivery. Dystocias occur no matter what we do. It's a fact of life when breeding minis. Personally I won't breed a mare that small, but I know a lot that do. Most say they have no more problems than the big ones, be sure you find her a very small stallion, especially since she is just a maiden and BE SURE TO BE THERE for your mares when their time comes.

 

[Miniv]

You've received some great advice........

Priorities include invest in birth - monitoring devices and extra vet expenses incase of a problem.

When we were breeding smaller mares, we would wait until they were at least 4 years old. And Magic had a good suggestion regarding having a vet check done.

One of the bibles for foaling out, in my opinion, is a book called "Blessed Are the Broodmares" by M. Phyllis Lose, VMD. Highly recommend all horse breeders read it and keep it in their horse-library.

MA

 

[Songcatcher]

Welcome to the Forum. There is an excellent thread by Little Wee Horse Farm about breeding. I highly suggest that you read it. I won't try to quote it all here, but it is really informative. Good luck.

 

[sedeh]

Welcome to the forum from Southern Oregon! This is only my second breeding season and my mares are due in the next month so I won't offer too much advice.....except to invest in a barn cam, it is by far my biggest help during foaling season! :bgrin

 

[Reble]

:aktion033: Welcome to the Forum :aktion033:

Just the best place to come to get the information you are looking for.

Great Looking little Minis.

Good Luck

: :saludando:

 

[Jacquieb]

Thank you all very much for your replies and warm welcomes. I appreciate all the help, advice and information. I will continue to do my homework and try to keep learning as much as I can on this subject.

Thanks again for your time