If you own a mare, you may at some point consider breeding from her. Whilst breeding from your mare may be a rewarding and worthwhile experience, you should always ask yourself the question: Should I breed my mare? There are several things to consider, including costs, welfare, ethical issues and practical considerations. This blog article outlines some of the things owners should consider before breeding from their mare.
Before breeding your mare, you need to objectively assess whether your mare is a good candidate for breeding. Conformation, temperament, genetic conditions, and other health issues all need to be taken into account.
Firstly, you should ensure that your mare is in good health before you breed her. A healthy mare is more likely to conceive, and less likely to experience complications before, during and after foaling.
Furthermore, you should be aware of any health conditions that could be passed onto the foal. These could include genetic diseases, or health problems that may be influenced by genetics. Breeding from a mare that has genetic health problems is a potential welfare issue for the foal or that foal’s future offspring.
Your vet should examine your mare to check for various issues that may impact fertility and the chances of successfully putting your mare in foal. They will be able to advise you on the risks associated with breeding your individual mare.
Your mare’s temperament is another important consideration. A mare that is straightforward to handle is likely to be calmer, happier, and easier to work with before, during and after the pregnancy.
Furthermore, a mare with a good temperament is more likely to produce a foal with a similar personality. This is more likely to result in a foal that is easier to handle and ultimately more straightforward to back and train when the time comes.
Breeding horses can be incredibly exciting and rewarding, but it can also be expensive. Complications can and do occur, and it is important to factor in expected and unexpected costs associated with breeding your mare.
The costs of breeding a horse can include, but are not limited to:
Working with a knowledgeable equine vet before, during and after your mare’s pregnancy will help provide the best chance of a positive outcome. You will also need to work with your farrier and other professionals throughout the process. You can read more about the costs of breeding a horse in our other blog.
The work does not stop once the foal is born. Not only will you need to budget for the financial costs of owning an extra horse, but you will also need to make a number of practical considerations.
The things you will need to plan for include:
All these things should be carefully considered before you put your mare in foal. It is important to not underestimate the financial and practical commitment of breeding your mare.
We are an independent equine vet practice based in Ratley, near Banbury. Our equine breeding services are led by Naomi de Pennington, who has a particular interest in stud and foal medicine. From our equine vet clinic, we can offer a number of equine reproduction services, including artificial insemination (AI), equine infertility investigation, caesarean sections, management of the pregnant mare, post-foaling care and intensive care of the foal when required. If you have any questions about our stud medicine services or are considering putting your mare in foal, call our Reception on 01295 670 501.
