Breeding standardbreds?

Question

I am looking to breed my standardbred mare but don't know what type of horse to breed her to? I want a nice looking filly or colt. Any ideas?

Answer 1

What do you plan to do with the foal? If you plan to race the foal, then you had best breed her to another Standardbred. If you are planning something else, then you should research other breeds and decide what kind of riding or training you want to do.

Answer 2

I think a lot depends on what kind of Standardbred breeding your mare has.  If she has a lot of pacers in her pedigree, then you need to breed her to something that has a strong "trot" genetic background if you're going to try for a dressage baby;  as I'm sure you know, a successful dressage horse has to have a very fluid trot with the capability for a lot of extension.  

A good canter is also essential, and unfortunately a lot of Standardbreds, even those with a trotting pedigree, just don't have a good canter.  Some have a very "pacey" looking canter gait that dressage judges just don't care for.

If you're set on a dressage-type horse, I think you'd want to look for a Warmblood stallion that has a good strong fluid trot and a good canter gait.  Most warmblood breeders will ship s***n, so it isn't necessary for you to have the stallion physically close to you, you just have to have a vet who is good with artificial insemination.

I would think that a Friesian would cross well with a Standardbred, and that will certainly get you a dynamic trot.  Good luck to you!

Answer 3

it really depends on what you want to do with the foal and what your mare looks like. but i would think a standardbred with a strait top line, expressive face features, really strong canon, look for balance (like when you look at the stallion it should look even and symmetrical), a sloping shoulder and a powerful rear end with large gaskin muscles.

Do your best to find a stallion that matches your mare.

Her faults should be something that the stallion has. and you want your stallion to look masculine.

Good Luck and I Hope All Goes Well!