Horse Breeding Information

By C.B. Lober, Five Star Ranch Staff Writer

• Thinking of breeding your horse?
• Want to upgrade your stock, but keep expenses low?
• Is your facility baby-horse proof?

Whether you're breeding your horse for the first time, an experienced horse grandmother, or in the early days of thinking of breeding, here are some things to consider to help you with horse breeding.

Why Breed Your Horse?

There are many reasons that motivate someone to breed their horse. Some people breed to be able to have a horse with the bloodlines they want but wouldn't be able to afford if they bought a mature horse. Others may have a horse with great traits, or speed, or some other desirable characteristic that they want to preserve. Some just want to experience the joys of a baby foal.

Breeding Considerations

Before you breed you should weigh many things:

• Cost – There are many fees associated with breeding that added up come to a considerable number. Make sure you have the money before you commit. Stud fees can be considerable depending on the stallion. Fees ranging from $500 to $1500 are common. There are many hidden costs associated with breeding including mare care costs, expensive supplements, increased feeding costs, and higher vet bills.
• Conformation and Temperament – Does your horse possess excellent conformation and a positive temperament? Since these are often hereditary, if your mare has serious conformation faults or a bad temperament, you may not want to risk perpetuating these faults in a youngster.

  

• Bloodline – Does your horse have an excellent bloodline that would make offspring easier to sell?
• Fencing – Does your farm have adequate and safe surroundings for a baby horse? Your older mature horse may not go near barbed wire fence, but a baby horse will test the boundaries. Barbed wire can scar or cripple a horse. It is unforgiving and is not recommended for any horse, and that goes double for baby horses. Smooth wire, metal pipe, board fence, PVC fence, mesh fences are all better and safer choices with horses.
• Time and Resources – Raising baby horses takes time and resources. Are you ready to commit to these toward raising and training a baby horse?

Breeding horses can be fun, exciting, and the experience of a life time. Just go into it with your eyes open.

Books on Horse Breeding