Breeding from an older mare

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ClaireH78

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At what age do you think a mare is too old to have its first foal.

What are some of the implications from breeding an older mare? I know it may be more difficult to get the mare in-foal but what other risks would be involved that wouldn't necessarily be involved with using a younger mare?

The mare in question is a proven competition pony (show jumping) who won quite a lot of money. She is still ridden and is fit and well. She is 19. I have personally advised against it, but would like to hear other views.

Thanks
 
My 18yo mare is 4 weeks in foal now, having taken first time.
This is her first foal, and although I was a little dubious about it initially I had her thoroughly examined and assessed by an experienced Vet. He gave her the all clear and said she was remarkably fit and healthy for her age. She was in light work until about a fortnight before this, and until a couple of years ago a very successful and hardworking polocrosse pony.

I'm sure there are increased implications when it comes to the delivery, but breeding from a fit, well toned older mare is very different to breeding from one whose muscles are deteriorating from having not done any work for a significant period of time.
 
Well that sounds promising.

The pony is a family owned and part of the family. The foal would be bred to keep. They would like to breed from her as she was a fantastic competition pony has very good confirmation and a brill attititude.

The pony is still very active and fit, I think maybe the first step would be to go to the vet and ask them to assess her, like you did.
 
My little one is being bred to keep as well. If I have even half the relationship with him/her as I do with the mother then I will be over the moon.
As well as the vet we asked oponions from a fair few breeders and other experienced horse owners, all were very enthusiastic.
The owners of the stallion we used in the end wanted to cover her naturally as they felt conception rates would be better, but they ended up AI-ing her with fresh semen as she'd been caslicked previously, and they didn't want the trauma of opening and closing her repeatedly.
The other thing with breeding from an older mare is to make sure the stallion you use has high fetility/motility rates to give your mare the best chance. Fluid retention can also be a problem in older mares I'm told, but in Tills' case this was treated successfully with an oxytocin injection and an antibiotic wash out.
 
Hi Claire, like Bounty I too have an older mare who is going into foal this year, this will be her first foal and she too is 19. Vet has checked her over and like Bounty's vet said aslong as she is fit and well then he see's no problems. I just have to make sure I keep her in work until December this year so she is still fit in herself and not carrying too much excess weight.
 
I think she should be a great mummy! An older mare that is still active should carry better than a younger mare thas hasn't done anything for ages. It would be a good idea for a vet to check her out internally though as some mares lose the elasticity in their womb when they get older which can lead to abortion, stillborn foals and rupturing of the womb. Good point too cazza, she would be better slightly underweight than slightly overweight, I'm not saying skinny but you def don't want any big grass bellies to add to the strain. We've had mares foaling right into their 20's quite happily.
 
My oldest mare is 19 this year - she has had 3 foals for me in the past 3 years and we will let her decide when she wants to retire - if she starts to drop condiiton or struggles to conceive we will call it a day with her, but while she's looking so well and coping with the pregnancies and births so well then we will carry on.
 
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