Breeding from the older mare?

[MonkeyMagic]

First of all, Hi!
I am deliberating over putting my mare in foal in my last year of uni. she would be 15/16 at the time of foaling, and i dont know of any previous foals she may have had, so assume that she is a maiden. She is in full work, which obviously would be altered according to her 'condition'. Mare has always been healthy and the foal would be for keeps.
the mare has a temperament to die for, is well put together (although with a few faults, which i would be looking to counteract with my choice of husband!) and has bags of ability, in fact she has been all i could ever wish for in a horse. she is of unknown breeding although is assumed to be irish draft cross. Of course she would have a full veterinary work-up before going ahead with anything, and if given the go-ahead would follow the vets advice to the letter.
i was just interested in hearing the advice/experiences of other people.
Thanks in advance for any replies and feel free to ask any questions if i havent given enough info!
MM

 

[Bounty]

Hey, and welcome!!
My maiden mare is off to stud on monday or tuesday to be covered. She's 18.
I was sceptical about whether we'd be given the go ahead to breed from her, but EVERYONE we've spoken to (vets, breeders etc) have been nothing but enthusiastic. She had a full examination before we went ahead and started looking for stallions just so we didn't get our hopes up unnecessarily. He was very complimentary of her girly bits/baby making operatus! The only effect her age has had on out choice of stally has been to make sure that his motility levels are high to make sure she has the highest chance possible of conceiving. The vet advised us to use AI on her, but every breeder we have spoken to said she'd be better off covered naturally or at least AI'd using fresh semen. I think we'll just leave it to the stud to decide how best to approach her.
Like your mare, Tills is a dream come true, and I just want a bit of her to keep.
So, get her checked out and then start choosing a daddy!

Best of luck.

 

[EllieBeast]

Aw, thankyou. it wont be for a couple of years yet. but it is brilliant that you have had such positive comments from the professionals! i live 20 mins away from newmarket, foal central! so have some of the best breeding vets in the country at my disposal. I bet you're excited! Who is your girl going to? i'll follow your progress with interest. Good luck!

 

[EllieBeast]

Used previous login, as mine wasnt working. now is!
This is just testing the water though, i am making no decisions yet, the musing of a bored mare owner hey!?

 

[MillionDollar]

Hi, first of all sign up to this forum

just been set up by a HHO member-

http://z7.invisionfree.com/BREEDERS_ANON/index.php?act=idx

So hopefully it will give you lots of advice.

I have 2 mares in-foal, my first foals and theirs. One is 15 and the other 16. This is not too old as long as they are fit and healthy. I've known maidens to be 18 and older.

 

[henryhorn]

No problem really provided she is cycling regularly.
I would get your vet to check her over, get her swabbed and start looking at stallions..
Do try and choose a gentleman type if you get her covered naturally (our two had toally different seduction techniques, Bert was a "Wham Bam Thank you Ma'm" Chocolate on the other hand takes ages wooing and kissing, then is gentle about his covering! (we call him The Italian Stallion...

)

 

[Bounty]

She's going to Welton Adonis.
http://www.weltonhorses.co.uk/data/adonisstudcardUK.pdf He's competing BD tomorrow, so off to watch him in action!

 

[EllieBeast]

Hey, thankyou HH. I think i would be looking at using AI, as it gives me a larger choice of stallions (and i think if the stallion decided to do the job before she was ready, he may lose his b*llox!). Lol at the 'italian stallion'! You hear so many points against putting an older maiden in foal, its nice to hear that its a possibility. Will have to think long and hard!

 

[MillionDollar]

Oh i do like him! Nice choice!

 

[amandaco2]

if she has a good breeding soundness exam theres no reason why she shouldnt be capable of carrying a foal
older mares can tend to be more difficult as they throw up more fluid. AI with the minimum amount of semen will cause less of a reaction(as its tested before it goes in only viable semen is introduced thus increasing your chances)
use a good AI vet if you go AI.
my mare was a maiden and caught first time aged 16 AI and delivered just fine(had a few issues with rejection post foaling though!)

 

[eventing_chick]

My 16 year old had her first foal 2 weeks ago.
No problems whatsoever and is a brilliant mum.
I was really worried too!!

 

[squirtlysmum]

I had my mare AI'd at 18 after her competitive career had finished and she took first time and baby is now 5.