Covering 2 year old fillies

I have to say, i think it is to young. However i know someone who brought a 2yr old that was in foal, but this was unknown at the time and the filly had her foal without any problems. Also im sure, in the wild the fillies get pregnant young... But to do it on purpose, i think 2 is to young, as could stunt growth etc...
 
We bought a wildie that foaled whilst 2, it definitely slowed her growth, she continued to grow considerably until she was 7. I know M&Ms don't reach full height until late but the latter growth is normally minimal as opposed to the full hand and a bit she grew between 5 and 7 years. She also didn't fill out very well and is only now really starting to muscle up and look like a 'proper' pony. I would never cover a 2 year old and probably wouldn't really want to breed until 4 or 5.
 
I think it's way too young, they are still babies mentally and physically, I would never cover a filly until it is a mare!, so at least 4yrs old - why do you think they are called fillies until 4?!
Saying it doesn't do anything to them physically is wrong - how can a youngster grow properly or to its full potential when it's putting all its resources into growing a foal? The extra weight on still growing joints would be the same as having a rider sitting on it 24/7, not to mention it's pelvis is still small so I would have thought increase the chance of the foal getting stuck.
Also because it's still a baby itself how can it be expected to teach a foal manners, or be a good mother - yes it does happen in domestic situations usually only as an accident or from people who care little for their animals and leave colts and fillies run together, and yes it can go fine, but all to often it doesn't.

I have a stallion and I won't cover mares under 4yrs old and I doubt any decent stallion owners with good breeding policies would look at covering a 2yr old either. Waiting a couple of years also gives you time to see if the filly is actually worth breeding from - I don't see the rush or any reason to breed from a baby except a financial one.
 
Alexart said:
I think it's way too young, they are still babies mentally and physically, I would never cover a filly until it is a mare!, so at least 4yrs old - why do you think they are called fillies until 4?!
Saying it doesn't do anything to them physically is wrong - how can a youngster grow properly or to its full potential when it's putting all its resources into growing a foal? The extra weight on still growing joints would be the same as having a rider sitting on it 24/7, not to mention it's pelvis is still small so I would have thought increase the chance of the foal getting stuck.
Also because it's still a baby itself how can it be expected to teach a foal manners, or be a good mother - yes it does happen in domestic situations usually only as an accident or from people who care little for their animals and leave colts and fillies run together, and yes it can go fine, but all to often it doesn't.

I have a stallion and I won't cover mares under 4yrs old and I doubt any decent stallion owners with good breeding policies would look at covering a 2yr old either. Waiting a couple of years also gives you time to see if the filly is actually worth breeding from - I don't see the rush or any reason to breed from a baby except a financial one.
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^^ this
 
I personally wouldn't cover a 2yo filly for all the reasons listed by others. When we first started breeding Standardbreds it was something my father asked of a local stud owner (for info) and he also said that he would be reluctant to cover such young fillies. Even at three a lot of fillies haven't reached anywhere near their physical maturity.

There's no rules with regard the breeding of Standardbreds in relation to the age of fillies that can be covered, as I have seen 2yo's covered by stallions although very very rarely. I guess that's due to owners wanting to race their fillies first in order to increase the value of offspring and at 2 they simply haven't had enough/any chance to race. Interestingly though, 2yo colts aren't allowed to cover any mares (as voted by the directors) due to their age...

I'm waiting until my girl is at least 4 (so next year) before I even consider putting her in foal :)
 
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