At what age - to put in foal

What is the best age to put a Warmblood / Sports Horse in foal ?

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madthing2spyda

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www.saxonoak.co.uk
What is your thoughts on putting a filly in foal before she is backed, ie as a two year old, I think that a 2yr has to much growing to do to be put in foal. This is somthing that came up at a lunch chat the other day, we were talking about Warmbloods / Sports Horses.

Before anyone miss reads this please note: I dont have a 2yr old, I am not planning to put a young filly in foal, some people do think its ok !!
 
Without a bit more information it's hard to answer this in one easy poll.

Firstly, why do you want to breed and what are you hoping to breed?

Secondly, with reference to the mare, is she destined to be a riding horse or a broodmare? Is she well grown on? How mature is she overall? etc. etc.

BUT, as a general rule. I don't like putting two year olds in foal, I prefer to let them grow up a bit more first. With my home bred fillies I firstly assess whether I consider them breeding prospects, then, and only if they pass my assesment I look at maturity. All being well, and in an ideal world I like to lightly back as a three year old and then put in foal. Once the mare is four and the foal has been weaned I re-back and start ridden career/sell/put back in foal.
 
For me I dont care what is going on with the outside, I still think they are to imature at 2yrs inside & mentally, so 3yrs is the youngest I have put a filly in-foal. There are plenty that dont agree & it they should know their own horse. I am not sure what is to be gained from them foaling at 3yrs, as you would not be doing much work before 3 anyway, well most of use wouldn't. Unless they are too foal proud they can still be re-started with foal at foot at 4yrs anyway.

I would add I worked for a family that breed from their 2yo, a big strongly made filly without any problems. She still grew to 17hh & it did not appear to have harmed her in anyway. Just not something that I feel comfortable with.
 
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My friend has a 2 year old that may be in foal!!! It was a total accident, she asked her other half to turn her out with the big herd and he turned her out with the small herd that has her stallion in!!!!!. She did'nt notice till the following eve but the damage may all ready be done as mare was well and truely in season when she went in the field and stallion was'nt best pleased when she had to leave!!!!!
 
Although I would hope to not have the problem anyway by not having too quick growing youngsters, there are some vets that have the opinion that if your filly is growing too quickly and well, then it might be an idea to put her in foal to slow that development down; I can certainly see their point and those that I've known have coped well with it while it did seem to do that job, they slowed down but kept growing on for longer.
Providing it's a good enough type to breed from, I'd have no objections to backing at three then turn away and cover as I feel it's one way to make you give them more time to mature - and if it doesn't then it jolly well should do.
 
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