What age can a race horse have a foul?

Question

What age can a race horse have a foul?

Answer 1

I assume you mean a foal?

As with every other breed of horse a thoroughbred filly is able to conceive from about the age of 18 months, although it is not advisable as their skeletons are still developing and the added pressure of carrying a foal could cause damage.

Most mares will have their first foal aged about 4 or 5 and can continue to breed every year until they are about 20 - sometimes older.

A colt can get a mare pregnant again from about 18 months of age, but as most of them have at least an attempt at a racing career, they are usually about 4 years old when they first go off to stud.  Stallions can keep covering mares for as long as they wish to, providing they are physically able.  It is not unusual to hear of stallions covering until they are in their late 20s.

Sadler's Wells is 26 now and still covers over 100 mares a year.

Answer 2

If you mean a foal, usually breeders wait until the horses are at least four years old, both mares and stallions. It is possible for both mares and stallions to breed at an earlier age but it is not usually done due to the stress it would place on a developing mare's body. With the stallions, usually you wait until they have raced and had some kind of career which will increase their stud fee. To some extent, you like to see mares have a decent career, too, before they are bred. Most race horses would not retire until age 3 or 4 so most are not bred until age 4.

Answer 3

foal? best to retire the mare first

Answer 4

I'm sure you mean a foal. He can foul any time he wants from the day he is born! Generally speaking a mare can foal from about four years onwards. She is mature enough at that age.