Breeding

The decision to breed from your mare should not be taken lightly. There are many costs involved and care of the pregnant mare and the impending foal is quite specialised. Nevertheless, breeding can provide a unique challenge and when successful is very worthwhile.

If you are considering breeding from your mare you must first ensure that she is fit to breed. She should be examined by your vet to ensure her reproductive tract is normal, that she is free from disease, and that she is in good general health. All being well, you can choose a stallion and the breeding process can begin.

Most people have pre-conceived ideas about how delicate and fragile a pregnant mare can be. In a natural setting, the mare does comparatively well reproductively considering how relatively poor her reproductive performance is, compared to other domestic animals. Good brood mare management is essential for a successful pregnancy, but being over-protective is not necessary.