Framework for Breeding

Before Considering Breeding

  • Is your mare in the top 1/3 of what you want the foal to do after its birth? Is the stallion in the top 1%?

  • Are you truly being objective about whether or not your mare deserves to be bred and what will happen to the foal?

  • Is your property ready to handle a mare and foal? Have you made it safe and taken the necessary precautions to reduce injury?

  • Have you reviewed the monetary aspects, do you have enough to cover multiple rounds of breeding, accidents and veterinary visits should the worst occur?

  • Have you considered the veterinary costs of care for the mare and foal after birth, as well as specialised farrier care for the foal?

  • Have you considered the health of your mare and what alternatives there are if you want to avoid her actually being pregnant?

  • Is her weight in the right range, does she have any outstanding health issues?

Preparation

  • Have you consulted with a vet and a nutritionist in order to ensure that your mare is receiving the required nutrients and reducing the risk for the foal?

  • Do you intend to sell the foal, and if so, have you considered not only the market, but the costs involved in doing so?

  • Have you created a list of the requirements for your foal (the negotiable and non-negotiable)?

  • What kind of performance history do you expect from the stallion?

  • Do you want to keep using your mare, and if so, are there other options that you are open to and what are they?

  • Are the facilities that you require nearby (eg mare boarding and breeding facilities)?

  • Does it matter if the stallion is nearby or are you open to Artificial Insemination and are you aware of the risks associated both with live cover and frozen semen?

  • When you are choosing a stud, have you visited the facilities, have you asked for a written and legally binding contract and does that include a live-foal guarantee and is that something that you want?

  • Is your mare a carrier for any genetic diseases? Is the stallion? How can manifestation be avoided in the foal?

  • Do you have all the fees from the stud in writing with a signed contract and genetic testing results for both the mare and the stallion?

The most important question is:

Are you doing the best thing for your mare, for the future foal and for the breed?

Genetic Testing: Practical Horse Genetics

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