Can a stallion cover a larger mare naturally?

Question

We have a 14.2hh arab stallion who lives loose with our TB mares who are 15.1-16.2hh. We have always had a 17hh stallion till recently, and i didn't even give it a thought, until somebody said he might not be able to cover them? I like to do things the natural way and HATE covering inhand. He is much happier and more relaxed with his girls and babies. Do you think he will get them in foal? Thanks!

Answer 1

He shouldn't have a problem, infact in my opinion he's more suited to covering them than the 17hh stallion - a 15.1hh mare covered by a 17hh stallion could lead to a big foal that she may have difficulty birthing.

A yard I worked at had a 14.1hh Welsh stallion who covered mares up to 17hh - he never struggled.

I agree than having a stallion run with mares is a much better solution than covering inhand, provided they all get on. It can result in higher conception rates doing it naturally :-)

Answer 2

I don't think you will have to worry about that.  In the natural state, horses don't have any difficulty.

Answer 3

In the past I have bred smaller stallions to bigger mares (14.0 to 16.1) by simply using a creek bed, I would place the mare into the edge of the bed and leave the stallion slightly higher. It work flawlessly. If you don't have anything like this you can always dig a ramped hole.

Answer 4

Yes.

I sold a filly to a man a few years ago.

She was a twh.  He had TINY shetland ponies.  

Somehow, the tiny shetland stallion got her...through the fence.

Where there's a will (and raging hormones), there's a way!!

Answer 5

what does this mean? covering?

Answer 6

It sounds like he will be fine.  The size difference is not too much.  You may have to lead the taller mares into a hole or put them on the low side of an embankment (this is how they used to have donkeys cover horses to get mules).  You could tie them there for a little while.  But I think they can mangae without it.

There is a downside to putting a smaller stud in a pasture with larger mares.  If the stud gets chased and kicked too much he will not cover the mares anyway.  I have seen that happen repeatedly.  Small stud put in with mares and mares go nuts wanting him gone, whoop the tar out of the stud until he is completely cowed, stud no longer willing to approach mares even when they are in full blown heat.  

In fact the last time I saw it happen was our next door neighbor.  The studs owner was going to bring the stud over and let him breed the neighbors mare in exchange for use of a round pen.  Stud's owner drops stud off when mares owner not around and is unaware.  I find stud trying to get into pen with my gelding and BIG gelding ready to KILL small stud!  That gets broken up shen I plug electric fence back in but then stud shows interest in mare.  Stud gets chased all over mare's pasture, round and round, and round.  I finally get a hold of mares owner and mare comes in heat.  Stud left for over amonth but no breeding occurs because stud will not come to the same end of pasture as mare even though mare is in full heat.

bee.

Covering is a term used for proper mounting of a stud onto a mare.  Versus improper mounting because the stud is too short and can not reach mare.  In other words the act of the stud climbing on the mare to breed.

Answer 7

i would think so?

Answer 8

ya i think so

Answer 9

Just be patient.

Answer 10

yes!  he will get them in foal one way or another.  I mean I know mares who have gotten pregnant from a miniature through a fence!  if they really want to get pregnant, trust me, they will.

Answer 11

hear something to think about a Shetland stallion can get a TB mare in foal. a mare will sit down for a smaller mare don't worry it happens all the time.

Answer 12

At the heights you mention, no problem.  I know some folks who bred an Arab stud to a Clydesdale mare, for her they had to stand her in a hole, but things still worked out and she conceived.

Answer 13

I have seen draft mares get pregnant by small ponies. Where there is a will, there's a way. :) I wouldn't worry about it in the least.