Best way to cover a mare

[Fahrenheit]

I don't think bbmats statement is nieve at all, when put into the context of what he has written he has explained very well why he feels the way he does and he (personally) doesn't understand why someone would take this option. You are lucky that things turned out very well for you and your mare is happy and everything went hunky dory, that makes me very happy that you are happy with how things went BUT it could have quite easily not have! The whole point people have been trying to make is that the risks of injury are greatly reduced to mare and stallion, with covering inhand and even more greatly reduced for AI. Yes things can still go wrong, but with the mare turned out with the stallion the risks to both are alot higher and that can not be disputed at all, and if the mare and stallion suddenly fell out, lets face it horses do, even with the best of care and monitoring I doubt anyone could intervene quick enough, before an injury happened! My opinion is why risk it in the first place yours is different, but that by no means, means that someone is nieve, having seen bbmats and AndyPandys set up, neither could be called anything less than VERY EXPERIENCED! Its all very well taking one line of what someone has said and responding to it out of context but bbmats post clearly states the reasons why he feels that way and none of the opinions he has put are nieve, they are based on his experience and personal opinion.

 

[Bounty]

AndyPandy - my vet was adamant that AI was the way to go with my 18yo maiden mare... in my case it was the stud that wanted to go natural

In the end because of her long term casslicks they AI'd her with fresh, but I was well versed from them about how success rates weren't as high

She took first time

 

[htobago]

[ QUOTE ]

I dont like the fact that people go on about how natural it is etc however romantic that may be.. the thing people forget is that in the wild the herd would be just that, a herd!.. not just a group of horses that are put in a field together for a few weeks to mate. The horses are unfamiliar with each other, therefore their behavior can be agressive.

quote]

Well said bbmat - I think this is the crucial point that people miss - and precisely why I referred to my wish for my stallion to run with his own little herd as a 'romantic' fantasy, as opposed to a realistic option!

Of course it's a lovely idea, and certainly can work for some people. I have friends who have their stallion running out with one or two of their own mares, who the stallion has known for a long time, and this seems to work fine, being fairly close to the natural 'herd' situation in which the horses would be familiar to each other.

But I would not risk turning a valuable stallion out with mares who are complete strangers to him - there is nothing 'natural' about that!

And anyway - 'natural' does not necessarily equal 'good'! It is not 'natural' for horses to get veterinary attention when they are ill! It is not 'natural' for horses to be fed hay when there is no grass! 'Nature' would let them starve and die in pain.

Of all the unnatural things we do to horses (including riding them, for heaven's sake!) it seems to me that AI is one of the least harmful and most beneficial!

 

[AndyPandy]

[ QUOTE ]
AndyPandy - my vet was adamant that AI was the way to go with my 18yo maiden mare... in my case it was the stud that wanted to go natural

In the end because of her long term casslicks they AI'd her with fresh, but I was well versed from them about how success rates weren't as high

She took first time

[/ QUOTE ]

Excellent

 

[Gingernags]

Its not always the money thing though. Where I am there are no specialist AI vets - looking at the minefield that AP has shown about "approved" this and that means b*gger all - how on earth can you decide if your local vet can actually do much AI wise?

In my case - and yes thats only my case but I suspect I'm one of many - I am a one horse owner, I have chosen the stallion I want for my mare, he doesn't do AI, our vets in the area aren't specialists - so I am happy with an in hand covering with the stallion I chose. With my sisters - the stallion she wanted ran happily with his mares and she was happy to let hers run with him. We did the research and thinking before we arranged anything!

BUT I am fed up of being sneered at for my choice because AI is so fantastic, and because if we don't use AI but in hand covering or running with a stallion its irresponsible and unprofessional etc etc etc... Fine, pop along to the national stud and tell them that about all their top TB breeding eh?

Honestly, I *did* enjoy this breeding section, but some people are starting to come across like the Parelli brigade - its your way or you are cruel and bad horse owners and you're not invited to partake.

Its entirely too bl**dy patronising for words!

There is nothing wrong with in hand covering and stallions running with mares if that is the way the owners want it and have assessed the situation.

Please get down off your high dummy mares and quit putting us down!

 

[Enfys]

Very interesting thread, says she looking out of the window at her stallion, mare, foal band happily sharing a round bale in the field, as they will whilst I continue to own them.

Feel very bad, inadequate and not fit to actually own horses reading all this. Thankyou.

 

[crazyhorsegirl]

Is your mare in foal now Gingermare?

Im glad i am not the only one that noticed the AI clan!

 

[AndyPandy]

[ QUOTE ]
BUT I am fed up of being sneered at for my choice because AI is so fantastic, and because if we don't use AI but in hand covering or running with a stallion its irresponsible and unprofessional etc etc etc... Fine, pop along to the national stud and tell them that about all their top TB breeding eh?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is only because of the rules about AI. There are plenty of owners and breeders within the TB industry who would prefer that AI was allowed, and that AI-produced foals could be registered.

If you cannot use AI then that's fine and it's your choice anyway, but where one has the choice, it does make far more sense to use AI.

 

[magic104]

No need to get melodramatic, these are people's views, no one is having a personal dig! This is why some of these debates get heated because people keep taking it personal. I have gone against the grain by breeding from a mare with no history, do I care, no. There are always more then one way to skin a cat where horses are concerned & while one method works for one it wont work for another. I will stick with AI not because of dont believe in the other methods, (which in the past I have used without issue). I will stick with AI because I have more control as my mare wont have to leave home for more the a few days whilst she visits the vets up the road. I am lucky I do have vets how can AI & have had a very good sucess rate as do a lot of studs. I know of as many mares not got in-foal with natural as those failed by AI. My comments are not meant to offend anyone, but if they do then I apologise, but as stated earlier it helps to grow a thicker skin!

 

[Bounty]

But Enfys... you are referring to your own, settled little herd. The main debate about running mares with stallions that is going on here is centering around stallions at stud, where horses that are completely unknown to each other are chucked out in a field and expected to bond instantly.

I never chuck strange horses out together straight away, and I'm talking about mares and geldings. Personally I think that a hormonal mare in strange surroundings being put in with a highly sexual stallion on his own ground is asking for trouble, though I'll admit that stallions used to running this way are probably less frustrated/sex driven than most.

There is a stallion locally who only covers by running with his ladies - to my mind that suggests there are handling issues which mean that in hand covering/AI isn't an option

 

[Fahrenheit]

[ QUOTE ]
BUT I am fed up of being sneered at for my choice

[/ QUOTE ]

DON'T you think I am fed up of being SNEERED at because I am pro AI.

FFS (and I think that is the first time I have sworn on hho!) can't nobody express an opinion backed up by facts! Its not sneering when you express an opinion backed up by facts and risk accessment to the horse!

I think you are the one that needs to get down off of your high almighty know it all narrow minded perch and take that giant plank of wood off of your shoulder!

JEEZ!

 

[juliehannah58]

[ QUOTE ]
BUT I am fed up of being sneered at for my choice because AI is so fantastic, and because if we don't use AI but in hand covering or running with a stallion its irresponsible and unprofessional etc etc etc

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is the issue for me in this thread, I just want people to accept that other practises besides AI go on all the time and they do work and achieve their objectives. Just because people on here are 'pro AI' (which I think is a silly phrase TBH as I am certainly all for AI myself, just I think as everything, it has its uses and so does other methods) it is unfair to belittle other peoples breeding choices because they differ from their own.

Horse Groupie -
I certainly do not deny there are obviously higher risks when turning mares and stallions out together but the point I am making is that any decent owner who chose this method would have surely worked that out for themselves and it is unfair to have people pointing out to them what a bad choice they have made. It not only comes across as patronising (not meaning you in particular, this is a generic statement) but also people seem unable to budge from their narrow mindedness on this subject.

Just a tiny admission that running out and covering in hand etc has it's place in the caring and knowledgable horse owners world would be refreshing.

Judge each case by it's merits I say.

And by saying Bbmat (sorry if I have got the name wrong, going from memory here) was naive, I meant precisely the above, i.e not taking into account that it does have it's place in modern breeding, and also I feel that statement was obviously going to be met with some hostility - if indeed previous posts have been read - it would have been obvious! I certainly was not questioning his experience in breeding at all.

There is a huge difference between a calculated risk that an owner is willing to take based on possible outcomes, and a wreckless owner trying to do things 'on the cheap' - this is what I'm trying to get across.

Not meaning to offend anyone at all, a good debate never hurt anyone

 

[Gingernags]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
BUT I am fed up of being sneered at for my choice

[/ QUOTE ]

DON'T you think I am fed up of being SNEERED at because I am pro AI.

FFS (and I think that is the first time I have sworn on hho!) can't nobody express an opinion backed up by facts! Its not sneering when you express an opinion backed up by facts and risk accessment to the horse!

I think you are the one that needs to get down off of your high almighty know it all narrow minded perch and take that giant plank of wood off of your shoulder!

JEEZ!

[/ QUOTE ]

But there is the point - I don't sneer at anyone using AI. I think AP's stuff about AI is absolutely fascinating, had there been an AI specialist here and a stallion that I wanted locally that did AI I would certainly have considered it.

I don't know everything, I don't pretend I do, and actually I'm not taking it personally in that "ooh, someone called me naive or unprofessional" personally, but anyone who has made their choice not to use AI or studs who run stallions were all lumped together and called some choice phrases as if we all needed rounding up by the RSPCA and prosecuting!

Every time someone posts about using in hand covering or running a stallion with mares - its like all of a sudden they have to wear a sign saying "unbeliever" and the religious AI zealots jump on them to convert them to "their way".

I have no problems if someone asks "why did you choose that way" explaining it - but when get it fired at you as "why didn't you use AI its best" its a bit in your face!

I don't go on every AI post and accuse people of being unnatural and interfering too much and say everyone should cease and desist - why should they?

I just don't think anyone should have to defend their decisions on breeding at all - its THEIR choice - ask reasons certainly, but the accusatory "tone" behind it can be a bit much!

 

[Tia]

I have to say GM, I do understand where you are coming from - it did come across the same to me too, although perhaps it wasn't really meant in this fashion?

I only breed my own mares and I always pasture breed them - this works for me and works for my horses. My guy was not, and would never have been, standing to outside mares however, but had I chosen to allow this, then the mares would have been assessed and depending on their suitability (not only for carrying top bloodlines but also for attitude) then I would have had them run with him.

I personally do not like in-hand natural cover (many reasons why not) and if I were breeding my own mares to outside stallions then I have to say it would be AI all the way unless the stallion was personally known to me.

I think anyone who breeds will know their horses well, as will the attending vet likely, and they will therefore make the right decision for their horses; whether that be natural in-hand, AI or pasture breeding. What works for one, may not be the right choice for another....get over it guys! As someone previously said, there are many ways to skin a cat.

 

[Tia]

Enfys, don't worry about it

. Pasture breeding of APHA's and AQHA's is generally the usual route over here; so what you are doing is perfectly normal for the breed and the country.

 

[Michelle73]

I think that this thread has turned personal. Some of the comments made read like personal insult replies. Instead of slating the person for their view and telling them its wrong why not ask the questions as to why the decisions are taken the way that they are?

I'm not as eloquent as others. But, I would never intentionally slate anyone for their view. I've learned very quickly on this forum to hold my toungue and quite frankly after the last two weeks on the forum I'm wondering why I bother. I feel like I am not entitled to my own opinion or way of doing things.

I came onto the forum to learn from other peoples wealth of experience and not to be slated for things that I don't know about or may not be wording and communicating effectively.

I think that some people need to think about the way they are responding to others. Perhaps you could be more contstructive and less ridiculing.

Thats just my opinion.

 

[izzyxxx]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't worth paying out for scanning or internal on this occasion as it didn't matter whether or not she was in foal

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that is a very stupid think to say, all mares should be scanned for pregnancy WHATEVER method they have been or not been covered by. You are putting a mare at risk by not having a pregancy scan done, what if she was carrying twins, risk her life and the foals.... I just don't understand people with such a don't care either way attitude to
breeding...

[/ QUOTE ]

i know this was quite early on in the post but before i say anything i am no expert by any means!!!!!!!!!!

i worked for a race horse breeder and she has been doing it years (retired now) and back in the day she acctually managed to breed a set of twins i know that it is very risky but this must have been over 40 years ago!! so i am not sure if she had a scan or what

i know its not really relavent but i just wanted you to see that people have different opinions on different situations and methods (she didn't know the mare was having twins!!btw) and there are different negative and possitive out comes so IMO we sould be able to give out experiences, opinions and preferences to aid people

OP hope all ends up going well with your breeding venture

 

[DollyPentreath]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that this thread has turned personal. Some of the comments made read like personal insult replies.

[/ QUOTE ]

My, people are so quick to take offence.

The original question was 'Which is the best way to cover a mare?' and 'Does anyone have any view on this?'

I think pretty much everyone has answered the question well and only expessed an opinion. If people take offence that's up to them, but perhaps they're taking things a little more seriously than they should.

I'm pro AI because my mare is too precious to risk. I've travelled long distances, spent more money, selected a stallion that offers frozen semen and sourced out specialists all to avoid a natural covering. That's my choice, if anyone wants to cover their mares differently that's up to them, it'll be their vets bill if the mare gets injured, not mine. I won't sneer at anyone, perhaps not understand their reasoning but certainly not sneer. Each to their own..

 

[Gingernags]

Maybe it is just accidental how its come across but it would be nicer if there was just a bit more tolerance for other peoples views.

For example - I think Htobago's lad is absolutely stunning, I can entirely understand why she wants to minimise risks to him, and yes - AI fab for that, much more controlled, no risk - well no, less risk of any damage to him via a mare, though there are some different risks of damage with AI re: collection - though these I'd think are minimal compared to pasture breeding or in hand.

I think no less of her stallion for her choice of breeding him, nor her for choosing that route.

On the other hand, I nearly used an arab stallion for my mare. He is also an absolutely stunning chap, a beautiful metallic bay called Rabanat, not sure about on the national scene but he and his son win a lot of arab classes up here and certainly I've seen them clear up county level.

The lady who owns him has had arab stallions as long as I can remember and a few friends have used her stallions - and she pasture breeds for a few select mares. I had a lovely chat with her at the Cleveland show last year about my mare, who was there showjumping. She said that if I wanted to send her, she'd have her on her smallholding, assess her temperament and then either let her run with him, or cover in hand as appropriate.

Now that again, fine by me the way she does things. She's tremendously well respected round here, I've never ever heard of any issues and injuries from there and I know of her going back well over 20 years breeding. She loves her animals and if this works for her and has consistently - then who is anyone to criticise her judgement, her methods and her success?

I don't know (and happy to admit it) how her stallion would compare with Htobago's value wise etc - looking at them I think they are both fantastic - both owners totally different in their approaches - but both entitled to that and who is to say that either is wrong? I have every confidence that both owners are as professional as each other just in opposite ways and I can see merit in those ways for each owner.

(Sorry for using you as an example HT, hope you don't mind!)

Its all down to preferences and not "pro AI" and "against AI" - just letting people have their own prefereces without blanketing them in some kind of "unprofessional" blanket statement.

 

[Enfys]

[ QUOTE ]
But Enfys... you are referring to your own, settled little herd.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, it's fabulous, and I am fortunate to have the facilities to do this. I agree with your point about just throwing horses together, everybody would I should think.

Like Tia, I am only breeding my own mares. There are reasons for me having my own stallion, I couldn't find the breed/colour (and yes, I do want colour) and temperament I liked (within about 700 miles) and he is proving to be very quiet and polite with his mares, not a kick or bite mark to be seen here. I also had a foal and a very highly strung mare that I was not at all happy about sending away for 6 weeks or so, not least because I feel that I would lose control of how they were both handled, and cared for. This way, I have a stallion of my choice, living with my mares, under my control, any mess-ups (was going to say cock-ups!) are my own fault. I also get a riding/competition horse at the same time. Until his foals are born and his training progresses I do not know whether he will be kept entire, and I don't have plans to stand him to the public, although I have been asked.

I don't have any problem with AI at all, as I see it, it is safe, controlled, convenient and an opportunity for people to use a stallion that may not previously have been available to them for sundry reasons. I would use it without hesitation if it was a pairing that I specifically wanted.

Each method has it's own merits, and demerits, thankfully, it is still something that each individual is able to make their own mind up about as to which way is best for their own situation and peace of mind.

 

[Enfys]

Gingermare...Small world, I used Rabanat (who was the spitting image of my arab mare) back in 1997/98 I think, super little horse. Great to hear that he is still around, lovely owner (Carol Lawton), very small, caring set-up and my mare came back from stud in fabulous condition, sadly she aborted and I wasn't able to use my return to him as we moved to the other end of the country.

His get were doing very well at the time and I would have used him again without a moments hesitation.

 

[htobago]

Hey - c'mon now - please let's all calm down a bit here!

I can't speak for anyone else, but it was certainly not my intention to denigrate or belittle people who choose either covering in hand or running stallions with mares! In fact I specifically said that I know this works well for some people.

All I was trying to say was that as a personal choice, I would not risk running my stallion with unfamiliar mares - and that I am reluctant even to risk him covering in hand. I also pointed out that it is inaccurate to call either of these methods 'natural'. And that in any case we should perhaps be wary of assuming that 'natural' automatically means 'good'.

None of these statements was meant to imply any criticism of breeders who use these methods - although I admit there was some slight criticism of those who misuse language (I am a writer and former copy-editor, with a philosophy degree, so I have a bit of an obsession with semantics, and can get somewhat pedantic at times - sorry)!

I really don't think we need to divide into 'pro-AI' and 'anti-AI' camps here - or 'pro-running' and 'anti-running' for that matter. We are just exchanging views and opinions, and stating our personal preferences and choices.

It's OK to disagree. If we all agreed, this would be a very dull forum - in fact it would barely qualify as a forum at all!

 

[htobago]

Whoops - our posts crossed in cyberspace Gingermare!

But we seem to be saying pretty much the same thing!

Sounds as though Rabanat's owner is very caring and responsible - I would certainly not want to set myself up as in any way 'superior' just because I choose to use AI for my boy.

Is he by Banat? (Sorry - don't mean to hi-jack the thread - I'm afraid my pedigree-junkie instincts are even more annoying than my pedantic ones!)

(P.S. Thank you for the nice comments about Tobago!)

 

[vicijp]

QR.
TBH, I find all this 'AI is the only way' attitude a bit annoying too.
Have no experience AI myself, but have a vet that starts moaning approx May every year that he 'Hates the damn [****].'
Also has a mare that with natural covering was the only way. She had 3 foals, all with in hand cover. She then failed/reabsorbed for 4 years, we spent £k's trying to sort things out. In the end we brought a stallion and ran him with a herd. That mare then had 2 healthy foals the following years.
All the injury stuff is understandable, but as with everything to do with horses I find people a little precious. Of course the risk of serious injury is a fear, but that is the same whoever you turn them out with. We lost a mre years ago that got kicked by another mare out in the field at stud.
I really dont see how bites and scratches matter in the grand scheme of things, they are horses, not made of glass.
We had a mare that same year that we decided to run in foal. She ran with the stallion for 2 weeks, came in covered in bite marks and 2 huge scratched across her ass. She won a race the week after that, another race the week after, and another race 2 weeks after.
So to round up, really couldnt give a crap how someone decides to get a mare in foal as long as its done well, and dont appreciate people belittling someones choice just because it doesnt fit in with their ideal.

 

[AimeeLou]

I have been reading this post and would like to say that my mare is a maiden and she is being ai. This is mine and her first attempt at breeding, so am totally new.

and not sure if my oppinion is as valid. I am using ai but also would consider, in the future natural covering. I only used ai this time because she has tightened muscles over her back and my vet said that to stop the stallion doing any damage to her and vice-versa (as she's very sensitive), ai would be a more suitable option. Maybe in the future, I would let her be covered naturally, but as she's quite a tall girl, im unsure if this would work ok?
I think letting stallions run with mares, is a personal option, but not for me, as she has great potential for later in life and that I wouldnt want her injured, but i can see why some studs do it. But i can also see why some studs would cringe at the thought of it.
Hope this doesnt offend anyone, not intended too.

 

[Enfys]

Hi Htobago, Rabanats pedigree is in the usual place, Banat is his g/sire I think.

I was at the Bychan open day last year, and a colt foal, by Psynergy (I think) was sold on the day for a rumoured 35,000 pounds. Now, if I had bought a colt worth that much, I would certainly not be risking him (and my investment) with live coverings. Regardless of the monetary value of a horse, stallion, or mare, AI is the method with the least physical (kicks/bites/strains etc) risks (as far as I can see) so I can certainly understand why anbody would choose it, especially for a show or competition horse where soundness etc really matters.

 

[Gingernags]

I'll see if I can find out for you! I'm sure I did find some of it out but I decided not to use him only because of his height. I have a soft spot for Arabs and both Rabanat and Rudi (the son) are such a rich but metallic bay, they are real eyecatchers, but at 14.3 and my mare being 15hh, I ran the risk of getting something too small as I'm not tall at all but certainly chunky and I don't want to drop under 15hh.

And of course I have to love your lad, ginger horses are the best IM (humble)O!

Enfys is right about the breeder - small world then - she lives about 5 miles from where I keep my orange one - I've hacked past her front door! She used to have another gorgeous arab stallion called Fire Gold who the pony a friend of mine rode went to, and ran with, about 15 years ago so I think its just what has always worked for her. She produces some wonderful horses.

In an ideal world I would have used AI but as has been said - really if you do you want a specialist that you know does things right and properly - that would mean moving the mare quite a distance away and I would not want that - where mine has gone is a nice small set up about 12 miles away, and it feels very personal and quiet - I drop in whenever I want and have free use of the school, and the place just feels like home. Asti walked out of the trailer, into a paddock, and never turned a hair and it was lovely to see her instantly settle - you know when you just realise something is spot on? Mind you they laugh at me about how spoiled she is with her wardrobe and accessories!

To be fair I was a bit ambivalent about covering in hand though as I used to be a stud groom I've done my fair bit, but it didn't help having my sister going on about it being "rape" - however as this particular stallion is not doing AI as he's only covering about 3 of their mares and maybe the same in outside mares - I still decided it was our best option as like I said, the pluses of the set up there and that particular stallion were what I wanted.

Hopefully everything will settle now and no-one will feel they daren't post!

 

[Fahrenheit]

[ QUOTE ]
Horse Groupie -
I certainly do not deny there are obviously higher risks when turning mares and stallions out together but the point I am making is that any decent owner who chose this method would have surely worked that out for themselves and it is unfair to have people pointing out to them what a bad choice they have made. It not only comes across as patronising (not meaning you in particular, this is a generic statement) but also people seem unable to budge from their narrow mindedness on this subject.

Just a tiny admission that running out and covering in hand etc has it's place in the caring and knowledgable horse owners world would be refreshing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have never said I am anti covering in hand and to keep saying that the pro AIs has we have been labeled have said they are is just twisting what they have said, I have never said I am anti covering in hand, as I have already stated one of my stallions covers in hand so why keep bring in hand covering into a debate about running mares with the stallions is pointless has no one said they are anti doing that, they may have said they prefer not to but they have never said covering in hand is wrong.

You don't think it is patronising to call someone naive?? You don't think its patronising for someone to tell people that the 'pro AIs' are sneering at people and are on their high dummy mares!

Double standards comes to mind! It seems perfectly alright for people to have digs at the people who use AI but its not alright for people who use AI to have their opinion too, just because people disagree does not mean you have to call them naive! That is getting personal in my book and if you don't want to be spoken back to in the same way then you shouldn't call someone who is clearly very knowledgable naive. I haven't taken umbridge with the way anyone has spoken to me in this thread until someone said we are sneering at people!

I thought you made some very good debates on your views earlier, you stated on here (not exact words but the gist was) that running the mare with the stallion doesn't necessarily mean people are trying to cut costs and how it was nothing to do with your decision, I respected you for that but then I read your blog and in which you state:
[ QUOTE ]
to let nature take it's course at first and avoid expensive vet treatment

[/ QUOTE ]

I am also certain that you wouldn't have been allowed to run your mare with the stallion of your choice if it wasn't for the fact that he is permanently lame.

I also already clarified my opinions earlier that my point of view is based on sport horse breeding and stallions that are top competition horses or potentially the next top competition horses being risked running out with mares and that its my opinion why would you risk it, I also clarified that it didn't include retired horses or permanently injured horses.

I would also like to add that when I say retired horses and permanently lame horses, I also include the average joe stallion and people owns little group at home in that. My whole opinion is (as I have already stated previously but no one bothered to take note of that bit) is that the Arko's and ProSets and the possible next Arko's and ProSets, shouldn't be risked running with mares!

 

[spottysport]

Have to agree with vicijp. The best way is the way that works for that particular mare! Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't get any more expensive than some of the TB racing stallions - and they can't even consider A.I. Personally, I like a mare to have a bit of fun, and know what it's all about - then I use A.I. if the stallion is too far away/not practical. I am of the opinion though that too many stallions are wrapped up in cotton wool - they don't know or care what they're valued at, and jumping a lump of plastic several times a week must be pretty monotonous!

 

[trelawnyhorses1]

horsegroupie [ QUOTE ]
I think that is a very stupid think to say, all mares should be scanned for pregnancy WHATEVER method they have been or not been covered by. You are putting a mare at risk by not having a pregancy scan done, what if she was carrying twins, risk her life and the foals.... I just don't understand people with such a don't care either way attitude to breeding...



[/ QUOTE ] i totally agree with this..
we will let our stallion run with the odd mare and i know a number of high performance stallions allowed to have a mare to run with however these are usually mares which are broodies that know there job and are very well behaved, our stallion will jus go and eat grass if he knows that the mare isnt intrested