Preparing Mare for Stud

[Lady Equine]

When and with what would be best to prepare a maiden mare for stud? Decision made, April's going to stud in 2011 and I want to make sure that she is the best condition and to improve her fertility. I've had a look at all the different stud mixes and balancers and have only found one that promotes the maiden mare prior to going to stud, all the rest are geared towards mared infoal or lactating.

Can any one offer me any suggestions.?

Thanks

LE
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[specialsparkle3]

For best fertility a mare should be on a rising plain of condition . That is she should be fairly lean ( not thin) and just starting to put on condition. You do not need to feed her anything special other than her usual maintenance ration and her vitamins and minerals. A fat horse is MUCH harder to get in foal.

There are ways of bringing mares into season early using lights, but I would imagine that as a first time breeder, you would be aiming for a mid April to May foal so you can let nature take it's course.

May I recommend you buy " From Foal to Full Grown " by Janet Lorch. This is the very best book I have ever seen on breeding and bringing up a foal, and after well over 30 years of breeding is still my bible.

What Stallion have you chosen to use and what breeding is your mare----------------I'm really nosey ;D

[clara81]

As long as she's getting all the right vits and minerals she should be fine, I'd just give her a supplement or balancer and look after her feet and worming. The worst thing for any potential broodmare is to be fat, they actually take better if they are on the leaner side. I never feed my broodmares (native ponies) any sort of higher protein stud diet until after Christmas when they are around eight months gone. Good luck, it's so exciting planning babies!

[clara81]

Oops must have posted at same time lol!

[Lady Equine]

SS3 I am so pleased you saw this did infact put it to you in the header to start with..!!

I received the book for xmas and have started reading it, it seems an old school text book which I like as I do believe the old ways are sometimes the best ways.

I aim to produce a large RH or LW Hunter for the show ring, April has the pressance but she still has a few ridden hang ups so fear the show ring riden would send her into orbit..! Her breeding is TB X Sec D although she looks more TB she has the attitude of a sec d..!! Flighty little mare..!! She is 15.2 and i would like to go up a hand. I do like the traditional NH TB's although wouldn't mind something with a little warmblood too. April does have a few confrmation faults that will probably help define who i use.

My list of stallions are: Kings Composer - Groomsbridge May I (a little small) Athens Abracadabra - Powerblade who has just come over from Ireland and at the moment is my ultimate fav. Siren's Missile - Hollins Hall.

I only intend to do this once so i really am trying to learn as much as I can to ensure that April and foalie get the best possible care.

I am going to go to the stallion Showcase at Addington in Feb so fingers crossed, i can make my decision and lay my deposit.

I am very excited but very nervous too not having done this before, it's amazing how much there is to think about..!!

If anyone else has any good stallion suggestions i would love to hear them, i have spent hours googling sires and progeny and stallions but sure I have probably missed something special..!!

Thanks again for your replies.. SS3 any advise will be greatfully received.

LE
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[jackiedo]

If you were looking for a performance horse, I quite like Calcutta, who is reasonably priced and finished sound.

[Lady Equine]

Thanks Jackie he does have a super intelligent looking head, i will go away and do my progeny seraches although i beleive they are yearlings. He reminds me of Trifolio who i liked innitialy, but concerned that together they would produce more of a Hack, which at County level is not a prob, but i would prefer to start local and progress, albeit 5 years away..!!

My concern is if i breed fine she will produce fine as she's not overly chunky herself, apart from her apple botom....!!

LE
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[specialsparkle3]

One of the most important things you must consider in your mare's case is to use a stallion with an amazing temperament and who throws it. When you are breeding for the ring it is no use breeding a fabulous looking horse if it is too potty to show One of your earlier choices would DEFINITELY not be a good one !
You obviously realise that you should also use a stallion who is exceptionally correct in the areas where your mare isn't so good. Height wise mares often breed a bit smaller with a first foal but do not be tempted to go for something huge to counteract that .I believe that a hand higher is quite big enough to go on a maiden mare. Also in breeding a show horse an amazing length of rein and outstanding movement are all important. You can pretty up a plainish head but you can't alter limbs and quality of bone.

By all means look at Stallions at Addington but before making your final choice, make sure you visit them at home and meet them in the stable to ensure you really know their temperment.Hopefully you will also be able to see their stock and do try to use something that has stock out under saddle and WINNING in the ring. Speak to the owners and ask what THEIR temperament is really like. You do not want to breed something that can only be shown by a clever and experienced Producer. This horse is being bred for you to show

I will pm you my phone no if you like if you think I can help in any way. ;D

[specialsparkle3]

ps Personally I would stick to full TB to breed out the welsh as much as possible You don't want a Riding Horse or LW showing any welsh characteristics ( no I'm not anti welsh before any one screams at me-------- that breeding is just not appropriate for what LE is wanting to breed ) Warmblood breeding is creeping into these classes and gives good elevation and movement BUT what you have to avoid is the prodgeny LOOKING like a warmblood ie set of ears and hind quarters /movement , especially. Most judges STILL do not approve.

[Lady Equine]

Brilliant SS3 thank you. i know you're a show ring/breeding expert so would happily take any advice from you.

I agree with ever point you raised, Aps issues are not soley temperamant they are man made on the hunting field, lets just say she's been wound up so much she's still uncoiling....!!

I guess Addington will give an idea of how the stallions temperament golds away from home although being in the show world i know lots of tricks to passify....!! We do plan to visit at home, just a pain that the best studs seem to be up north.

I do have an amateur producer helping me and she has an excellent eye for conformation and rides Aps so she knows what we need to move away from she infact said the same about the welsh in her..!

It's such a long way off yet but i am still getting butterflies..!!

LE
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[specialsparkle3]

8-)I know it is a pain when everything you like is miles away but remember, it costs the same to bring up a bad foal as it does a good one, and to a large extent breeding is a lottery. That is why you have to do everything you possibly can to ensure that YOUR foal is what you really set out to breed. ;D

[jackiedo]

I absolutely endorse everything SS has said.

[bertie666]

Can I ask if you are planning on keeping the foal for yourself? Im sort of playing devils advocate here but being as we are in a recession and so many horses are getting sent to slaughter is breeding another one a good idea? Sorry to be a cowbag :/

[specialsparkle3]

I believe that LP has made it clear that she wants to breed one foal only for HER to show ( read her reply to Jackiedo) and I also believe she is setting out to try her hardest to breed a correct, quality horse.

We may be in a recession but top class horses in their field always have a market. Since October 2009 I have sold an unbroken 4 year old, a 2 year old and a foal, all for the sort of money I have always expected for my stock, regardlessof the economic climate, and all to first class homes.

Remember there are breeders, then there are RESPONSIBLE breeders it does make a difference.

[bertie666]

Sorry i didnt get from her post she was keeping it for herself to show, I thought she was just after breeding something for that genre.

I guess my thinking comes from a couple of threads where others have been jumped on for breeding or accidents in this time and the amount of horses for sale etc

I do wish you luck with it though LE, im sure it will be an engrossing project!