Breeding question - stallion vs mare size

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Evening all.
Just wondering how big would be too big when looking at a stallion to put to a mare?
I'm looking into breeding from one of my mares, who's 15.1. I'd intended on putting her to a stallion of around 15.3, but have just fallen in love with a local stallion who is 16.3.
Would this be too big? I'm not particularly fussed about the height that the foal will end up as, but don't want to increase the risks for my mare by breeding a big foal as she's a maiden.
Sorry, rambling tonight - it's been a very long day!
Thanks. X
 
In horse the foals size in the uterus depends on the mare, meaning the foal will not grow too large for the mare to carry, even if put to a much larger stallion.

The problem you might incur is with the covering, my 16.3 stallion doesn't cover naturally anymore but when he did his lower height limits were 14.2 for stocky mares that could support his weight and 15-15.2 for fine mares but this need not be a problem either as you can do AI.

My 14.2 stallion has covered down to 11.2 but he's quite light (and not well endowed
blush.gif
), and the little ponies tend to be strong welsh ponies but its quite funny to watch as his front legs are up oveer the mares shoulders and he has his head right up next to their face!
 
My mare who is due to foal in a few days is only 12.2hh. She was covered and bred by my 15hh stallion. No problems whatsoever, however it was pasture breeding. I wouldn't be so relaxed had she been bred in-hand though as this is when accidents can happen with these smaller mares.

The mare determines the size of the foal within, however once the foal is born it takes on a life of its own and will be the size that it is pre-determined to be.
 
I agree that the foal's grow to the size of the mare. I know at my yard at the moment there is an 18.2 5yr old Shire X New Forest....mum was a 12.3 NF and DAD was the SHIRE....and was covered naturally....not intentionally I think (and hope) and mum is still alive and well.
Have also heard of (in America) someone with a Shetland X Shire (yup you got it...mum was shetland and dad was shire).
NOT that I am saying that I agree with this but it does happen and the horses do cope.
 
We had a yearling TB sire X Fell dam 15.2hh that was weedy as a yearling so didnt have him cut till 2yrs. We ran them as a big mixed herd of 20 horses.
One day at a show Sue the shetland was playing up & would not do a thing. Well next day she had a foal!!! Was a cracking pony Zara & Punch was the only one capable of doing it!
 
hi
i posted last year a similar post and the general feedback was upto 1 hand higher for the 1st foal - quite interesting that your post hasnt had a response like that? i'm off to see some stallions on saturday for my pony and am aiming for max 14.2 - shes 13.2 and it will be her 1st foal. i am lucky as they are my friends stallions so i know how 'gentle or rough' each on is likely to be! with my 16.1 ISH mare thou - i am struggling to find anything i like at the moment
frown.gif

good luck and whos the potential dad you like???
 
i wouldnt go for a hand bigger esp for the first foal but thats my personal preference.
the foal is determined partly by the size it has to grow

but if the foal is chunky and the mare is small particularly if she is quite narrow too, she is far more likely to have foaling down issues which can prove disasterous.she is more likely to get minor issues such as tearing etc with devlivering a large baby.
my mare is 15.2hh went to a 16.2hh stallion and needed a little help to foal but didnt have any complications or physical problems.it was her first foal

also a small mare is likely to struggle to feed a huge baby and it will be a big drain on her and she could be very hard to feed/keep milk supply going enough.
 
QR:
Thanks all for your advice. Didn't mean to seem ungrateful by leaving it so long to reply, but in the middle of a big family upheaval. I am grateful really!
So the general concensus is that it'd be ok? He's standing literally five minutes down the road from me, so there's a strong likelihood that it would be a natural covering. I don't have any pictures of her on the computer at the moment, but she is the one on the left in my siggie, she's quite light framed but not especially narrow. She's not particularly long/short in the back either.
The stallion is a local hunk who i've seen out and about and have always adored him, only just found out that he's standing this season. I'm awaiting his stud card at the moment, so will post when they come through. He's coloured, so i'm sure i'll be accused of being a fashion follower!
Meg X
 
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