Breeding Basics
If you’re breeding your mare this year you may have already done a lot of research. If you’re at the beginning though, there are several things you should consider.
First of all you need to pay attention to your mare's reproductive health, ideally a year before you breed her. Talk to your veterinarian and have the appropriate tests done. One big consideration is how strong your mare shows her estrus [heat] cycle. Does everyone on the farm know when she’s in heat or is she a stealth mare? This will be an important factor come breeding time.
Next you want to decide what you will do with your new horse when it arrives. Ask yourself these questions. Are you breeding for a horse to raise? To sell? For which discipline? Is your mare from good bloodlines or a standard stock?
If you’re breeding for sales, you want to breed to appropriate, quality bloodlines that will be easy to market. Who’s popular in your discipline? What type? What genetic lines? In the end nature makes the decision about the quality of your foal, but you can stack the deck in your favor. It’s worth the time to learn. And ask questions. That’s probably your best avenue of useful information.
In selecting a stallion, you probably already know the breed or type of horse you want, but if you’re unsure, do your homework and check the association websites, go to shows or inspections and talk with people. Once you’ve narrowed things down you can look at individual stallion prospects.
Ok, let’s say you have a short list of prospects and you’re making your final decision. What are some important qualifiers? First you want to be sure the stallion you select will be compatible with your mare. Matching is an important consideration. If your mare is small and you want a larger horse, you need a stallion that will pass on height. If you want bigger bone, better temperament or any specific quality, talk with the stallion owner to determine if it’s a good match. Be sure to look into the history of the stallion’s get. If a stallion is a consistent producer, you have a better chance of getting what you want.
Next you will be selecting the breeding modality that works for you and your mare. AI breeding is very common these days, but it takes knowledge and attention to be successful. We have a few articles on the subject on the site, so take a look at those for more information. There is also a DVD, Guide to Successful Breeding with AI, that gives expert advice and information that will be useful to help the process go smoothly. It's available in the ISF store.
Frozen semen breeding gives you, as the mare owner, a nearly limitless pool of possible stallions to select from. Any location, any time of year. This is a bit more involved than fresh chilled semen breeding, but it’s done successfully all over the country. You need to double check that your chosen stallion has good quality frozen semen if you select this method, not all stallions freeze well. See the Frozen Semen Breeding article for more information.
In all these decisions, be sure to include discussions with your veterinarian each step of the way. If you have a fairly inexperienced vet, you don’t necessarily have to find another, but make sure he or she is committed to learning and being available and attentive, otherwise you’ll be accumulating re-breeding fees. Open communication with the stallion farm is imperative. They can give you invaluable help and ease your way through this exciting experience. A healthy new foal is a most wonderful gift. Best of luck to all of you who are breeding your mare this year!
