There has to be an objective consideration of the value of the mare as a broodmare, and whether or not her temperament will create a foal that has commercial and personal value.

There are many risks to consider before putting your mare into foal, not just for her but also for the unborn foal. You should also think about the future of the breed and whether this breeding decision is one that is truly ethical.

The mare should be in the top 1/3 of what you would want her foal to be doing, be that a riding school pony, a show jumper or elite dressage horse. This is not to say that you absolutely should not be breeding your horse unless the foal is likely to have Olympic potential, but rather that the foal will be one of the best in its field. There is still a high demand for good riding school ponies and there will always be a steady requirement for gentle hacks and pony club rides.

Stallions should be even more carefully considered, and only the top 1% of colts should be allowed to grow into stallions. As stewards of the population, and the ones who are in control of equine health and reproduction, it is imperative that the future of the breeds and the individual horses are considered before placing any horse to stud.

If you want to know more about the equine over-breeding crisis and the requirements for mares to be considered for stud, see More Information.

Genetic Testing: Practical Horse Genetics

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Show me More Information or Stallion Listing.