Comments on: Tips For Breeding For a Great Foal

By: What if AQHA Had Genetic Evaluations? – America’s Horse Daily

What if AQHA Had Genetic Evaluations? – America’s Horse Daily — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 02:22:46 +0000

[...] wouldn’t perfectly identify every animal at birth. They would simply help us make more right decisions than wrong ones in breeding [...]

By: Rowan

Rowan — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:02:49 +0000

As an amateur person who bred my older grade mare to a stallion I selected, I would like to weigh in with my comments – both for and against “designing” your own cross.

Breeding because you want the offspring of a favoured horse is perfectly acceptable, if you plan on keeping the foal and don’t have high expectations for its abilities. Picking the best stallion for your mare is only expected, and may be of far superior or different breeding to your mare. I agree that throwaway horses are unacceptable, but denying someone the joy of breeding their next companion is a little harsh. Perfectly servicable horses can be bred this way, and the owner can have a lifetime of happy riding.

I bred for sentimental reasons (I wanted the foal of my first horse), and, in spite of the quality of the stallion, I now have a mediocre horse. I love her, and will keep her for the rest of her life, but it wasn’t an intelligent choice. I can buy an untrained youngster with the exact conformation I am looking for and ride it in 6 months, instead of waiting 4 years and paying SO much more than I would have.

Also, if you want to compete in a field populated with purebreds with ancestors were bred for 100’s of years to a particular standard, it is a pretty unlikely that you (or me) will be able to match that standard with a mostly random cross of two horse types.

Just know what you are getting into.

By: Creating Incentives Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily

Creating Incentives Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:02:57 +0000

[...] industry hasn’t quite reached the point to where everyone wants to get in on the ground floor of raising their own colts to ride or sell as [...]

By: rachel

rachel — Sat, 01 May 2010 18:33:23 +0000

hi. I have an old Standardbred mare. She’s old (but I’m not sure how old..) and never was bred before..that I know of..but I was wondering if I should try to breed her though..should I?
Thanks.
–Rachel.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:52:53 +0000

Stephanie, does your mare have any particularly strong bloodlines (I see that you mentioned she is 96% foundation… We have a foundation stallion and I am always interested in those lines )?

Even though she’s not finished maturing, how is she now in regards to disposition / willingness / demeanor etc? And build?
Sheila

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:42:55 +0000

Emily I would definately think about just buying a foal. You are never guaranteeded on conformation with a cross.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:07:02 +0000

Oh! I should clarify, I prefer Baroque Friesians, I like the draft and draft-like horses. Thanks for the help.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:01:42 +0000

I want to breed my Belgian/QH cross mare in the future, not in any hurry. She’s 7 this year and was a PMU mare for the first 4 years of her life. All her babies were sent to slaughter until she stopped going into heat and was sent to the kill pen herself where she was rescued. She loves to take care of people and babysit other children, human and animal alike. I want a foal from her to raise into a nice all-around horse, possibly hunter/jumper. She’s only slightly over 16hh and I like that height, both getting on and off her back, grooming and while I’m leading her from place to place. I really like the build of Gypsy Vanners, but I also like the build and high stepping of Friesians. However, since she’s already a cross (with excellent temperament and conformation by the way) I wouldn’t want to create chaos in the build, conformation and temperament of the foal. I think she’d have beautiful babies, both physically and emotionally, but I don’t want to ruin the life of any of them by being rash and stupid about this decision. I’ve read the article on choosing the perfect stallion, but that doesn’t help when it comes to crossing a cross. Any suggestions? Should I just buy a foal instead of breeding? I’m in dire need of advice.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:23:29 +0000

I am thinking about breeding my australian stock horse mare/filly in a few years time. I am only fourteen and am going to do it the natural way for her. But what I was wanting to know was that is that (i have never experienced breeding before. and am guessing that it is a serious buisness with not only having a foal but what would happen in the future if i decided to sell it) But I really need to no a few good sites on everything to now like breeding, vet, fee’s the works, so I can study and prepare for the future. I really think I can get alot out of my girl. She is only four and is extremely quiet! She has quite good blodlines and is starting to show some great ability. Any idea’s? Thanks

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:24:32 +0000

Thank you, I read the article and agree 100%. If I do decide to breed my mare it will be after she is five and I have ridden her more and to correct my earlier statement she turned three in May. I really like the way my mare looks already but want to evaluate her more after she is fully matured. I don’t want to make this decision half heartedly as I know how the market is. I feel I have plenty of time and I am not looking to rush so hopefully I can find the “perfect” Stallion for my mare if I can not i just will not breed her. I definatley appreciate any advise on the matter.

By: Jody

Jody — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:27:52 +0000

Hi, Stephanie. Be sure to read “Finding Mr. Right” http://americashorsedaily.com/finding-mister-right/ to help you choose a great stallion for your mare. We’ll be on the lookout for more great stallion-finding tips to help you and other mare owners.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:00:47 +0000

I am thinking of breeding my AQHA mare sometime in the future. She is only a two year old now and i would like to ride her a few years before i decide. I am looking for a conformationly correct Aqha stallion and i would also like him to be cremello or perlino in color. I would like to breed her with a stallion whose bloodline and conformation complement hers. Also no impressive breeding she does not have any i do not want the foal to have any either. I would appriciate any education on finding the right stallion. I intend to keep the foal as a riding horse for trail riding and maybe showing if i have the time. I also understand that i could just buy another already trained horse for as much or possibly less than what i am planning on spending for a stud fee and just might decide to do that instead.