Going to Look at Potential Boyfriends for my Mare - What to Consider?

[luckilotti]

hi
as I have mentioned on a few other post – I am stallion hunting at the moment for 2 mares – my pony mare I have a few lined up which belong to a friend and I have watched the stallions grow up so am quite sorted there I think but for my ISH – I am hunting!

I have seen a nice Irish Draught which isn’t too far and also just seen another that’s a Russian Buddyony imported from Russia as a 3 year old. But anyway back to the point of my post!

What questions do I need to ask when visiting a stud?
So far I know I need to take pics of my mare, and maybe a video on my phone so that the breeder can see if they will compliment each other. I also would like to see the stallions temperament in a few situations – ie – how he is when they go in his box, walk him around, how he is if there are mares around (my mare doesn’t want a boisterous stallion for her 1st!) also see his movement when loose in the paddock.
I know I need to find out the terms of the stud – btw – just seen one advertised as NLFFR?? Not very common I guess as most are NFFR – what exactly are the implications for NLFFR?

Anything I have forgotten? Or other advice gratefully received! I have just got my laptop back from being repaired and have lost all of my picis and the ones I want – I don’t appear to have saved on disk but I would appreciate experienced breeders maybe to comment on my mare and possible matches.

 

[AmyMay]

For me it was all about temperament and if I liked the look of the stallions that I was viewing.

I was very honest about my mares faults - which are temperamental rather than confirmational - and explained that I was interested in something that was known for their good temperament rather than overall performance record.

I didn't take any photo's - the stud couldn't care to be honest if she had two heads.

 

[lozwot]

when looking for a stallion you need to look at what it has achieved and what it's progenies have achieved and see if these match what you want you mare's foal to be like

 

[GTs]

Find someone who knows what they are doing and trust them -

 

[lozwot]

thjat right about the stud not caring if she has two heads.

when visting the stud check out there facilities ask to read there terms and conditions. and find out what your getting for your money as breeding can get expensive.

make sure you use a stud that is successful and has a good reputation

 

[vanessahook]

I think NFFR is No Foal Free Return and NLFFR is just No Live Foal Free Return, so just a different way of putting it.

 

[sallyf]

Not always we always take an interest in peoples mares and always want pics and follow ups of the foal.
NFFR is no foal free so if mare turns out to be not in foal you get a free return we do NLFFR which is no live foal free return so if anything untoward happens at foaling or foal dies for any reason before a week old you get the free return.
This does vary form stud to stud though and some are more flexible than others.

 

[Petrie]

I would look at temperament, performance, conformation. I would be really honest about the mares conformational faults and try to pick a stallion that complimented this.

Eg, if you mare could have a better shoulder then you could choose a stallion with a very good shoulder, or if you think she could do with more bone, then a stallion with good bone.

Same with temperament, if she's a bit sharp, then you might want a placid stallion.