Be sure to ask about additional fees outside of the actual breeding fee.  Some stallion owners require that the mare be examined by their own vet.  What is the cost of daily mare care while your mare is at the breeder's barn.

Have you considered just finding a young horse to raise and train yourself?  Here in the lower 48 you can buy a good quality weanling/yearling for less $$ than what it would cost to breed to a decent stallion!

Something else to remember...your mare will be out of commission for about 8 months while she is heavy in foal and nursing.

As far as your mare not having papers, that might be to your benefit.  Some breeders will reduce the stud fee for a grade mare since it saves them some paperwork.

Good luck.

Most stallion owners are going to want your mare to have had a uterine culture and possibly a biopsy, since she has foaled before, to make sure there isn't anything going on in there that would cause problems for a pregnancy.  It is a good idea to have your vet out to do a breeding soundness exam, anyway.  No one wants to waste a lot of time and money.  I'd get that done ASAP, because breeding season will be coming on very quickly. 

Are you doing live cover or artificial insemination?  If you are going to do AI, then make sure you have access to a good, experienced repro vet.  It can be a little tricky and timing is everything.  Frozen semen is more difficult than cooled, BUT if you can get your mare pregnant in one or two covers, you can save money with frozen, because it is usually sold by the dose or "straw" and is cheaper than fresh cooled, where the stallion owner will continue to send until you get a foal, subject to collection and shipping fees each time.  The frozen can be ordered early and stored in your vet's freezer until it is needed, where as fresh has to be ordered at the right time to get there just before you need it.  It has a very short lifespan.  Make sure you get a Live Foal Guarantee for fresh or live cover.  You usually don't get that with frozen, since you pay by the dose.  Find out what LFG means to your stallion owner.  Standard is usually stand and nurse, but recently I have seen offers of survival to weaning.

Be sure of WHY you are breeding.  If you are breeding with the idea of getting a replacement for yourself, then good for you.  I bred my prize mare to get her replacement and just took her 4yo daughter(who I adore) to her very first show this weekend and she was fabulous.  If you are breeding to sell, then save yourself the agony!  The market is very depressed and pedigree and papers ARE important trying to sell a youngster.  Once the horse is performing, not so much, but by then you have spent a fortune.  You can buy a nice younster (and SEE what you are getting) for less than breeding your own, which is a crap shoot.  Breeding is expensive, even if you don't have any complications.  I figure I had about $4K in mine when she hit the ground and easily have spent what it would cost to buy a horse of her quality and training right now.  However, it has been a wonderful experience and I am the only one who has been on her so far and I know everything that has happened to her.  It is a LOT of work raising a kid, though.

Think about what you want your foal to be able to do and evaluate the strong and weak points in your mare.  Maybe ask a vet or reputable trainer to evaluate your mare for you and tell you what things you want to look to improve and then look for a stallion that is strong in your mare's weak points and has shown that he produces those qualities.  My mare wasn't a very good mover and I was looking to improve her back legs.  Temperament was very important to me, because I knew I wanted something I would enjoy riding and hopefully, be able to start myself.  I found a stallion that had been documented in an evaluation by the Belgian Warmblood Society to produce very uniform foals with different mares and the report specifically mentioned strong hindquarters and good back legs.  The foal ended up looking very much like her mother, who is very much like her sire.  The stallion owner even commented that she looked more like one of her grandsire's foals than her sire's, but that is great, because they are lovely and I really wanted to clone her Mom, anyway!  She is a much better mover and her hind legs are better, though still not perfect.  My mare was very quiet and I bred her to a stallion who was known to be very quiet and that's exactly what I got.  I have seen in person temperament or behavior quirks in a stallion present in the offspring, so although the foal learns a lot of personality from Mom, these things are definitely hereditary.

Sending photos or videos of your mare to the stallion owner may be helpful.  A really good stallion owner is looking for mares that will produce something nice with their stallion, not just to get a stud fee and should tell you if they don't think their stallion is a good choice for your mare or what you want to produce.  They should, also, be willing to talk to you and help with any questions.  I worked with an incredible stallion owner who would bend over backwards and was super supportive.

Most importantly, be PREPARED.  I'd suggest reading Blessed Are The Broodmares, which ought to be Cursed Are The Broodmares.  It tells you everything that can possibly go wrong and it is a LOT.  It is amazing any foals get here safely.  Fortunately, MOST do, however, be educated and ready to accept and deal with all the possibilities.  Understand that you can possibly lose your mare AND the foal.  Critical care for a foal and/or mare can be VERY expensive, so be sure you have the resources set aside (either cash or credit) to be ready to do what is necessary, should the need arise, because you won't have a lot of time to make tough financial decisions, if the worst happens. 

Good luck and have fun!  It is very exciting choosing just the right stallion and awaiting the preganancy conformation, then the foal.  My filly's ultrasounds are still in the refrigerator!

luckys71 has made some very good points. 

It is my understanding that the Jockey Club requires TB stallions to perform live cover, so AI may not be an option.

As the above poster stated, what are you hoping to gain from this breeding? Please don't breed because you want the experience of having a foal. Visit a quality breeding farm in the spring and look at and pet the foals to fulfil your "baby" desire without contributing to the over population of horses. You may be surprised to learn too that the quality breeding farm may have fewer babies to look at. Some quality horse breeders are being very selective in the types of horses they are producing right now.

You can also purchase a quality weanling right now at a very affordable price, compared to the cost of breeding your own. Maybe even find a mare that is bred currently that suits your interests and be part of the foaling process with the owner.

There is more work involved than just taking your mare to a stallion. There is 11 months of mare care - feeding, vaccinations, ultra-sound after the breeding etc. A lot of work in breeding correctly and knowing bloodlines and the intended outcome of such a breeding. Then after the foal is born there is the halter breaking, handling, and then marketing the foal to be sold - which in this soft market you'd be lucky to give it away.

Harsh reality, but I am saddened every day by yearlings and two-years and even well bred, broke horses being shipped to Mexico for slaughter. So please consider your motivations both for yourself and the life you will be responsible for bringing into this world. This is a big commitment.

This one brings back memories.  I have only bred once and learned a lot from the experience.  I have a wonderful mare that could no longer be trail ridden due to a pulled and scarred muscle so I decided to breed her.  My original thoughts were to sell the foal to offset the cost of keeping my mare who could no longer trail ride.  Like most people I still have that filly.  I was very lucky that I got just what I bred for.  She has great color (APHA), conformation and a wonderful, willing personality.  She will be two in April and ready to start in training.  Things I considered when breeding were what type of foal did I want.  For me I wanted a bloodline that would be trainable for almost anything.  My vet helped point me in the right direction for choosing a stallion from local breeders.  I did not want to ship my mare off for breeding and have to pay something I didn't really know to care for her.  AI was not an option since it is so expensive and does not seem to work as well as live cover.  By breeding locally I was able to haul me mare over every 2 day while breeding.  The stallion owner was helpful in choosing the right stallion to breed to my mare.  I told him what I was looking for.  I ended up choosing a wonderful black/white tobiano who had a nice pedigree and absolute fabulous manners.  The stallion had been trail ridden extensively and was able to breed my mare wearing only a rope halter.  No stud chains or hobbles for the mare.  I was there the whole time and was really happy with the process. 

I did sign a stallion service contract.  The contract covered the stud fee.  It covered that I assured the mare's health status and current vaccines and worming.  A live foal guarantee was also included in the contract. 

I was very fortunate that I got a nice filly from my mare with the colorations that I was hoping for.  If you are breeding for a horse of your own then expect to pay for the experience.  Hopefully you will have a foaling experience that does not require a vet bill.  Also expect to pay for recommended vaccines and ultrasounds prior to foaling.  Know that for the first two years you will have another mouth to feed.  The previous post are correct in that you can buy a nice horse already trained for less than you can breed and feed that baby for two years.  It was a great experience, but until the economy improves I will not be breeding my mare.  The filly will have to start training this year and that is another expense all together.  Good luck with your decision, but have your checkbook ready.

Most mares that are in good health don't need special care during the first 3/4 of pregnancy. Regualr deworming,vaccinations,access to exercise and good feed are important during any stage of gestation. During the latter stages,again good feed,deworming,vaccinations ( ask you vet when to vaccinate) and exercise will help the mare alot. Mare should be checked in foal, then rechecked to make sure she still is( some do lose the pregnancy early on and you would be able to tell) if the mare needs more weight, there are good fat supplements to help add calories. Some mare get too fat which can make the birthing process harder on her.

Think alot about breeding your own foal. Right now, its alot cheaper to go out and buy the one you want- color,breed,suitablity,sex,height and age. Foals are cute but its about 3-4 years before you break them and another 3 years before you have a steady mount. I know there are exceptions but generally, that is what you can expect.

I also would be concerned with the fact that a horses seem to always get injured.  What will you do if you get a foal that has soundness issues or an injury when it is young that makes it unable to compete and do eventing like you wish to do.  What will you do with the foal then?  It's true that "You can't ride papers", but when trying to sell it sometimes helps.  I currently have a foal; I have bought a 2-yr old before and had it trained; and currently ride a 12-yr old gelding.  Trust me out of all 3 horses I currently own I would not part with my 12-yr old.  He has already proven himself.  He is well-trained, dependable,  respectful, registered (not that it matters) and I only paid $500 for him.  I have spent a whole lot more than that on my other two horses in training and breeding and he has by far been my best investment.  You can get really nice horses cheap right now and you can pick the color and size you want.  Breeding is not that easy.  Genetics can get complicated and don't always turn out as planned.  Good Luck in your decision.

It sounds like you know what you want and have an idea of what to expect.  I don't see a problem with breeding your own horse, as long as you understand what you are getting into and are doing it for the right reasons (certainly not for profit!) and have realistic expectations.  Yes, there a lot of unwanted horses out there and it is generally, especially now, cheaper to buy than breed, but if you realize that and still want to do it yourself, go for it.  As I said, mine is coming 5 and I spent about $4K just getting her on the ground back then and that doesn't count routine mare expenses (board, farrier, etc., since I would have had to pay those anyway).  We had a relatively uncomplicated breeding and foaling.  A couple small issues, but nothing serious, BUT I was prepared with 2 large balance empty credit cards, just in case.  As I have said, it has been a lot of work and expense (if I only had 1 horse, I would be so rich!), but it has been worth it, especially now that I am riding the "baby" and she has even done her first show (2-1sts and a 2nd, Champion at her first show!-BRAG!).  There's something about riding your own homebred.  I never dreamed I could love a horse more than her mother, but she's so like her mother, but more personality, and we have this special bond, since I've raised her and done everything myself.  Her mother will soon be 20 and is retired and I am commited to giving her a good life to the end, which is what I would do with Sydney, if she were unable to be used.

My last bit of advice is don't skimp on stud fee.  Breed to the nicest stallion you can possibly afford.  That will be the cheapest part of the whole process, in the end, and it is the most important.

I noticed you said you wanted something bigger then your mare, there is no guarantee that breeding her to a larger stallion will get you a larger colt.  I have a 14 hand mare that has been bread to a larger stallion 3 times and each time the colts were no larger than the mare.  Just something to think about if you are wanting a larger horse.

Originally written by snoweary on 2009-01-12 6:52 PM

 Ill reiterate, i think this mare has the potential to throw some beautiful and talented babies

Based on what? I am not trying to hound you but without any knowlege of her bloodlines, there isn't much way to telling what she will throw. I don't think we are talking mutants but if you are looking for eventing type horses its always best to breed eventing bred horses( basically with the ability and atheleticism to jump) for the best results.( this goes for any specific disipline)

 I am a bit curious about finding a "cheap" quality weanling. I would estimate (from the looking i;ve done in my area) that the type of foal i am interested in (and the type of foal i expect to produce) would cost anywhere from 3000-8000, and would not be pulled off the back of a meat truck.

I doubt you'll find a "cheap weanling" if your looking for a eventing horse but really,$3000 to $8000 is about what you might spending breeding a horse ( depending on stud fees and vet care) My point was- you'd be able to choose the bloodlines,color sex age...etc everthing you cannot do when breeding to a mare with unknow bloodlines and ablities ( jumping)to pass on the traits you want. Should the mare produce a nice foal that cannot compete, sure you'd keep it but you couldn't do eventing with it. Kinda like people breeding backyard pasture ornaments. Just something to think about.

I've heard of horses being pulled off a meat truck, who have gone on to compete 4 star eventing, and i know of a grand prix dressage horse that at one time the owner tried to pay someone to take off their hands (with no takers!). But lets be realistic, we wont all be so fortunate to find that perfect horse sitting unused out in the pasture. And im not so naive to believe i'll get that perfect horse through breeding either. I do know however, this horse aint gonna fall outta the sky....and im not going to sit around waiting for it to do so..

Its sounds as if you are going to breed the mare so good luck. I really hope everything works out one way or another. 99% of all pregnancies work out just fine. Horses have been havin babies for centuries so your not reinventing the wheel here. Pick out a good solid stallion that has sired foals your looking for before but take into account that your breeding a mare thats is the unknown and hope for the best.

Bloodlines DO matter even in eventing otherwise why wouldn't more breeders choose an arabian? I bet its because they as a breed aren't known for eventing a sport in which you need a larger framed horse with speed and jumping ability ( and I do know that arbaians can jump)

Obviously, breeders in the jumping world choose the mares and stallions for breeding stock based on their abilities and bloodlines. Horse not able to jump are gelded or used for dressage,perhpas they are sold for lower level sporting events. The top level horses in any sport are BRED for it they don't happen by chance.

I guess thats my point- even the best bred horses in the world sometimes don't amount to a hill of beans. So when you breed a horse thats questionable in the bloodlines dept ( and again i stress this isn't a slam on your horse) its a crap shoot. If you want to do it, I hope it all works out. I also hope some of the questions you had have been answered.

Snoweary,

     If your plans for the TB fall through, I have a nice 15.3 h.h. Appaloosa stallion that would cross good on your mare.  He has an own son currently in Dressage training, I am told in Alabama and a friend's mare in Michigan is in foal to this stallion has future plans for Dressage/Jumping also with what ever the mare produces this year.  My website is http://tncappaloosas.tripod.com/

     I agree bloodlines aren't everything, last I knew you can't ride papers; only a good horse.

T-n-C Appaloosas

  Tracie Clough

Drop me an email or give a call, I'm located just outside of Peterborough and have 6 stallions standing to the public.  My Dad is in Pembroke/Cobden area and he has 3.

Lantz McLaren

www.4mperformancehorses.com

705-636-1345

Wow....I'd like to see the first appy stallion squared up without a saddle on his back. What a shoulder, and it's nice to see a saddle properly placed.