I plan on breeding my mare?

Question

Hello, first i would like to say this.

I will be most likely either breeding her next spring, or this spring. I have the money to do it properly, and to take care of her. well my dad does lol. I will have the time to take care of her as well, and to take care of the foal. The vet is five minutes away, and will be helping us through the whole process. I will be there when the foal is born. (blah sleepless nights await) And if for some reason i am unable to keep the foal (which i doubt there will be any) i have three homes that will be willing to take her. However i do plan on keeping her, no matter what she looks like, or what gender she is. And if it is a colt, he will be gelded. I know how to take care of a foal, i know everything that can go wrong with breeding, i will not adopt for one reason. There are no foal rescue organizations any where near us, and i don't want to drive up to get one. And i don't think my parents will let me rescue one.

Now to my question. My mare is a blanket appaloosa. And i would either like to breed her to another blanket, or to a leopard. But I'm the only one around my area with an appaloosa.

So i was wondering about transporting s***n. I have never delt with anything like it before. So if someone could tell me a little bit about it. Thanks.

Answer 1

I would like to put my two cents in. Why do you want a foal exactly? Are you not happy with your current horse? Do you just want another horse? Why dont you buy another one? Are you breeding because you want a foal from your specific mare? Does this mare have an "textbook" talents? Or is this just a senitmental breeding?

Im not going to argue about whether or not you should breed your mare cause in the end people do as they wish. Its not about having enough money to take care of the foal its a question of is there really a point to it?

Now to my next cent of my two cents. I understand why you dont want to adopt a foal/horse. I myself went through the process of adopting a standardbred and I personally will never do it again. I understand they have rules for a reason (specific fencing, turnout etc.) but it really isnt like owning your own horse at all.

Now for the helpful part. Go and SEE with your OWN eyes these two studs (if possible). Look at their conformation, watch their attitudes and ask if you can see them ridden. Choose the stud that brings out the "best" features about your mare and will "improve" the worst. For example(not exact), if your mare have a "roman" nose and you do not want a foal with such a feature you wouldnt go and breed to a horse with a roman nose. Not that its important its just an example.

Just remember that breeding is a hit and miss. Dont expect to create a super foal (as im sure you already know). Bring a horse savvy adult along with you to help critique your stud choices. If you cant see them in person ask if they can send you a video or conformation pictures.

Once you choose your stud contact the farm he is standing at and inquire about how they transport the s***n. Some farms transport it for you, others have a pick up only.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Here are 2 links to start with.  If your going to breed, ALWAYS breed to  upgrade!!!!! Always find a stud/mare better than the one your breeding.   I mean really great foals, not just mid grade, toooooo many already. Then if your going to breed for Appaloosa, breed for REAL Appy's not those quarter horse muscle head look a likes!!!!! Breed a Nez Perce Appaloosas!!! The real deal!!!! Awsome history!! GREAT horses that are thinkers!!! VERY smart horses!!!! The Nez Perce Appy's are a upgrade!!!!

http://www.nezperceappaloosas.net/index....

http://www.appaloosa.ca/forsale/stallion...

Answer 3

You have asked this question before - you must first find the prospective breeder and inquire as to their process and costs to do this.

There a the base costs for the stallion service

costs to actually collect the s***n

costs to prepare the s***n

costs to ship the s***n

costs to "rent" the container the s***n comes in that are only returned when the container is returned in time in good order

there may be other costs or these could all be rolled into one.  Requests a contract including all costs and conditions, read it thoroughly before agreeing to anything.

After all the wisdom of the audience here with years and years worth of experience and education, you're still going to do this - and I can't believe how self centered you are.  The reason there are no foal rescue organizations is becuase there's a ton of people out there who THINK they have it all planned and controlled.  The foals that would otherwise be found in rescue organizations end up in the rescue organizations for older horses or they can be found starved, beaten or otherwise abused at people's homes - most even unknowing the horse is in neglected or abused conditions.

I will pray every day that you get your eyes open and your dear parents you are relying on so heavily have the funds and fortitude to pay the few thousand dollars at least to get that foal in the ground, raised and trained to a sound and healthy horse - as well as the funds to prepare the library of books and videos and the training and instruction fees that are surely attached to your having become such a professional with horses.  

Sure wish I'd have had parents that rich before I invested thousands of dollars into my babies and what I've learned from them with my own hard-earned money from my career over years and years of making mistakes and having the pay big bucks to fix them.

Good luck with that.

You don't need to ask such questions again - get in touch with the breeder with the prettiest horse you like and let them teach you the ropes - that's how the rest of us who know better had to learn.

Answer 4

Op buffy is making good points, ive rescued mares that have been in foal. You could end up losing your mare, and yes it is a possibility!

You will not be able to ride your mare for at least 3 months before shes due and for 6 weeks afterwards. Even when you can ride you must have the foal at foot until it is 6 months.

It can change a mares personality, my own mare would rear if she seen her foal go a different direction than she was going.

I lost one mare when foaling (even with a vet there) and i nearly lost another one. I have never gone and put a mare in foal, they were rescued already in foal.

You may need help when starting to halter train your foal too, i know when i tried to put a headcollar on the foals that it took 2 people.  

Answer 5

Listen kid Buffy isn't being a troll Buffy is right. If anyone here is a troll it is you.

Answer 6

Wow.  Without all the information people are able to make judgments like that?  They've got some serious psychic skills...

Riding the Dream - some valid points were made but the whole picture definitely was not painted and you don't deserve to be quite so quickly judged.

What is the breeding on your mare?  What makes her a good candidate for breeding?  Your vet can explain the complexities of doing AI.  It's not difficult but breeding a horse is expensive (regardless of who is paying for it) and not for the faint of heart.

There are some great Appy lines out there (I love the Waps Appaloosas - http://www.jgappaloosas.com/)

Answer 7

I would look up Appy breeders on the internet. I know, lame answer, but that's all I can think of. Your vet, or local tack store may have some suggestions as well. Good Luck!