Horse Breeding/Horse Mating
This article, from the Stephen Ashdown’s Horse Mating Veterinary Advice is about the horse breeding process, particularly the process of mating. It highlights salient points to inform horse owners and breeders alike if they are doing the right thing when it comes to equine breeding in general.
Before getting into the serious and daunting business of horse breeding, it is important to determine the advantages versus the disadvantages. During breeding it is better to use microscopes such as stereoscopic microscopes to further study the progress. Fundamental topics like the conformation and the bloodline of a horse are often asked. Owners who decide to breed from horses they already own need to assess this. Stereoscopic microscopes can be used to further study a horse’s blood. A pure bred horse has some financial appeal and is easier to sell. Also, what do they expect from the horse once it has become an adult? Is it a horse for breeding, or is it a racing horse? The temperament of the parents will also carry on in the foal. Would the breeders want a foal with the same dispositions as his mother or father?
There are some issues raised in concern with horse breeding. A new foal is not cheap by all means, and owners and breeders must be prepared. The stud fee is £500 plus, and veterinarian’s bills come up to £1-2000. These prices are derived from normal pregnancies and do not account for costs that may be incurred should there be a complication along the way.
The best stallion should be considered to father the foal. Stallions have a shortlist that includes bios and details for owners and breeders to look at and make it easier to choose from. These are available through the vet’s office or online at website specifically catered to the need. The British Horse Database, who publishes a list of stallions for competition purposes, may also be consulted. If there is a particular breed in mind then this article suggests contacting the British Equestrian Directory for the specific breed desired. When looking at prospective stallions, keep in mind the stallion’s history. Has it produced a superior foal before? Has the stallion been successful in what it is supposed to do, like racing or breeding? The conformation as well should be taken into consideration. Confirmations can also be done with the aid of stereoscopic microscopes. As much as possible breeders should not select a stallion with the same flawed temperament as the mare, as these traits carry on and become evident in the offspring. In equine breeding, size matters in the way that a larger stallion would produce a taller foal.
Horse owners and breeders are advised to take a look at the stud, or the stable where the mating is to take place before making a selection. The staff, location, the ambience and cost of the stud should also be looked into.
Those who wish to get into the breeding process should have the adequate knowledge, skills and financial capabilities to take on such a task. This article gives helpful hints, but research shouldn’t stop there. Horse owners and breeders are encouraged to read more articles about horse breeding and mating, as well as consult veterinarians and fellow equine breeders in the area.
ORIGINAL TEXT:
Submitted by Stephen Ashdown’s Horse Mating Veterinary Advice
Should I breed from my horse? Quite a fundamental question, I’ll think you’ll agree?
1. Conformation - are there any serious conformation faults?
2. Bloodline - a horse with good breeding is easier to sell.
3. Performance - what do you want the horse to do or become when adult? If a racer or an eventer a proven competition history is essential.
4. Temperament - Would you like to see your foal have the same temperament as his mother. Remember characteristics are passed on by both parents. If the answer to all these questions is positive - you do feel confident in breeding from your mare, the next issue is whether you want the mating to take place at a stud or at home.
These are some of the issues:
1: What does a new foal cost? First there is the stud fee of £500 plus; then there is stud livery and routine vet’s bills of £1-2000 and another £500 plus if you intend to send your mare to foal at the stud. These items do not allow for something going wrong with the pregnancy, birth or the foal’s first few days.
2: Get the best stallion for the job not the cheapest one or the one nearest to you. Make a short list of stallions you wish to see - studs have photos and details - then go and look them over.
3: Looking for a stallion. www.stallionsdirect.com is an equine breeding site. We suggest you start here. You may want to consult the British Horse Database which publishes a list of registered competition stallions (01933 274363) or if you want a particular breed make a point of contacting the appropriate breed society listed in the British Equestrian Directory.
4: In preparing your short list of stallions bear in mind
(a) Breeding Record. Has the stallion sired a suitable foal before?
(b) Performance Record. Has the stallion been successful in your chosen field?
(c) Conformation. Make sure you don’t select a stallion with the same faults as your mare.
(d) Size. A larger sire should yield a taller foal.
5. Stallion shortlist. You can probably make a short list from all the photos and details provided by the studs and your other research.
6. Checking out the stud. When you visit each stud check out the venue, staff, general ambience and the cost. You then need to balance the looks and character of the selected stallion with the perceived quality of the stud.:
More on horse breeding – do I foal at home or at a stud?
Horse Mating Veterinary Advice by Vet Stephen Ashdown Read more
