cjdjivanovic
Well-Known Member
I want to put my 14yo 15.2 almost-TB mare, believed to be maiden, in foal to a 17.1 hh stallion. Is this wise or might she have a dangerously big foal?
Can a stallion be too big?
- Thread starter cjdjivanovic
- Start date
mealrigghallstud
Well-Known Member
Research has shown that it is the size of the mares uterus that determines the size of the foal, it's an old wives tail that putting a large stallion to a small mare would kill it - but more likely if in the extreme to get hurt while covering if the stallion is huge and the mare small! I think feeding also has a role to play on foal size.
I would be more concerned with how much bone a horse had as that might produce a chunkier foal for example a fine boned arab to a percheron especially if the mare is a maiden - may cause the foal to get stuck.
If the 2 horses are of similar build then I would say it should be fine, just make sure you get a breeding soundness exam done - the vet can check her pelvic outlet. Is she a fine boned TB or a chunky hunter type? And what are you putting her to?
I would be more concerned with how much bone a horse had as that might produce a chunkier foal for example a fine boned arab to a percheron especially if the mare is a maiden - may cause the foal to get stuck.
If the 2 horses are of similar build then I would say it should be fine, just make sure you get a breeding soundness exam done - the vet can check her pelvic outlet. Is she a fine boned TB or a chunky hunter type? And what are you putting her to?
cjdjivanovic
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your help. The mare is Irish TB x ISH, a compact type, so probably about 7/8ths. She looks like a rubber ball, v muscly when fit, small hunter type. We want to put her to Jaguar Mail - so AI; he would be a similar type as to bone, etc. Do you think that is OK? Apart from size our only other concern is temperament - difficult to find out the truth about that, as everybody says their stallion has a "wonderful" temperament. - This may be the subject of my next post!
mealrigghallstud
Well-Known Member
I would have thought it would be fine - he looks to be all legs and quite a refined sort so I would give it a go!
As for temperament hard to say, as all stallions owners say their stallion is lovely then you hear via the grape vine how many people it has put in hospital!! There are plenty of stallions like that so hard to say unless you go and meet the stallion!!
Luckily most of a foals temperament is taken from mum if she is highly strung and nutty as they come then you can safely say the foal has a very good chance of being like that too! Horses learn by example to a large extent, some is genetic and some stallions do have a reputation for throwing nutty foals - just ask on here if anyone has had a foal by him and see what comes up.
As for temperament hard to say, as all stallions owners say their stallion is lovely then you hear via the grape vine how many people it has put in hospital!! There are plenty of stallions like that so hard to say unless you go and meet the stallion!!
Luckily most of a foals temperament is taken from mum if she is highly strung and nutty as they come then you can safely say the foal has a very good chance of being like that too! Horses learn by example to a large extent, some is genetic and some stallions do have a reputation for throwing nutty foals - just ask on here if anyone has had a foal by him and see what comes up.
madeleinewachman
Well-Known Member
I have a Jaguar mail colt this year!
Have a look at www.blanchardshillfarm.co.uk under baby Jag
The picture is of him at about 2.5 weeks old.
I have to say temprament wise he is the most lovely little chap you have ever come across. As blackhorse says the mum does make a difference, and hi mum is a lovely laid back mare. However I do think the sire has an effect too, as I have another mare who is very sharp and I have always chosen level headed stallions for her. Both her off spring as a result have come out level headed but sensitive which I feel is a mix of their sire and their dam. Baby Jag is a complete darling, He never holds a grudge, is trusting and friendly and from the very start was happy for you to pick up all his feet, put a head collar on and off with ease. He will also let you rub his belly whilst he lies and sun baths in the field!
So from my experience Jaguar Mail throws something with a good personality - definitely the easiest foal I have ever had!
Have a look at www.blanchardshillfarm.co.uk under baby Jag
The picture is of him at about 2.5 weeks old.
I have to say temprament wise he is the most lovely little chap you have ever come across. As blackhorse says the mum does make a difference, and hi mum is a lovely laid back mare. However I do think the sire has an effect too, as I have another mare who is very sharp and I have always chosen level headed stallions for her. Both her off spring as a result have come out level headed but sensitive which I feel is a mix of their sire and their dam. Baby Jag is a complete darling, He never holds a grudge, is trusting and friendly and from the very start was happy for you to pick up all his feet, put a head collar on and off with ease. He will also let you rub his belly whilst he lies and sun baths in the field!
So from my experience Jaguar Mail throws something with a good personality - definitely the easiest foal I have ever had!
bugaboo
Well-Known Member
My boys sire is known for throwing erractic foals,and my lad and his half siblings who live near us are all exactally the same temperment wise so it routes back to the sire.
All are fine to handle riding wise they all bronc like stink,and are very shall we say pathetic in the simplist of situations
all lovable as heck though.
All are fine to handle riding wise they all bronc like stink,and are very shall we say pathetic in the simplist of situations
varkie
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry, but I don't agree. A stallion most definitely CAN be too big for a mare. It isn't the mares uterus that is potentially a problem, it is getting the damn thing out! If you are talking huge foal & small mare, it has to get thru the pelvis somehow!!!
I agree that bone can be as much of an issue as height tho - more sometimes.
A 15.2hh mare to a 17.1hh stallion is right on the edge of what I'd consider - would depend on the bone of the stallion.
There are also other issues to consider - if stallion is much bigger, and live cover is used - weight of stallion on mare, size of stallions vital parts in mare etc.
And yes, I have personal experience of this - I have known several mares belonging to acquaintances who have had problems when foaling to a big stallion - in each case the foal was lost, and in one case, the mare too. One foal was removed in pieces.
It is an issue I see brought up time & time again - some say it's fine, some say not. Me personally, I think not. Horses giving birth is risky enough already, without adding to the potential problems!
I agree that bone can be as much of an issue as height tho - more sometimes.
A 15.2hh mare to a 17.1hh stallion is right on the edge of what I'd consider - would depend on the bone of the stallion.
There are also other issues to consider - if stallion is much bigger, and live cover is used - weight of stallion on mare, size of stallions vital parts in mare etc.
And yes, I have personal experience of this - I have known several mares belonging to acquaintances who have had problems when foaling to a big stallion - in each case the foal was lost, and in one case, the mare too. One foal was removed in pieces.
It is an issue I see brought up time & time again - some say it's fine, some say not. Me personally, I think not. Horses giving birth is risky enough already, without adding to the potential problems!
arwenplusone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I want to put my 14yo 15.2 almost-TB mare, believed to be maiden, in foal to a 17.1 hh stallion. Is this wise or might she have a dangerously big foal?
[/ QUOTE ]
Will you be doing AI or natural cover?
If natural cover then he may well be too big for her. Not because of the foal but because of the size of his penis. A tear can be painful & dangerous for a mare, especially since she is a maiden.
I want to put my 14yo 15.2 almost-TB mare, believed to be maiden, in foal to a 17.1 hh stallion. Is this wise or might she have a dangerously big foal?
[/ QUOTE ]
Will you be doing AI or natural cover?
If natural cover then he may well be too big for her. Not because of the foal but because of the size of his penis. A tear can be painful & dangerous for a mare, especially since she is a maiden.