Help! making decision, poss arthritis, should we put her in foal?

alicedove

alicedove

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Having owned our lovely 10yr old coloured TB x mare for just four months, overhorsed my daughter with her, (she chucked daughter off and kicked her, but I am forgiving that one.....) horse is nice, friendly, fast, knows her job, etc.
TONIGHT I have spotted something and I am almost sure the diagnosis will be that she has degenerative joint disease in the near fore. I have seen it before.

Shall I put her in foal in the spring?

I have never bred anything before. How tricky is this, and how dangerous is a spirited youngster? Our field is rented and a road walk from our home and stable. I want something around 16hh. Would I be mad to consider it? My daughter and I feel quite excited about the prospect. I have owned around 6 different horses and ridden for around 20 years.
 
How is she conformationally? Her personality and her performance?
I would wait for the vet diagnosis and then consider what would suit her - if she is able to be ridden, would she prefer the work?
Breeding is a very time and money consuming pursuit, don't take the decision lightly.x
 
Degenerative joint disease is not hereditary, but the poor confirmation which may be a cause of it, is.

As has been said. breeding is not something to go into lightly. See the vet, get a diagnosis and see where you're at before deciding what your next move is.
 
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Degen joint disease has not been diagnosed, and arthritis certainly can be hereditary!

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I don't disagree..
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.which is why he needs to find out what the vet has to say first to ensure that he's not going to be passing 'whatever it is' on.
 
Wait for the vet's diagnosis. But, personally, I would not breed from a horse that had arthritis or DJD. (I have a lovely mare who was diagnosed with arthritis this year and I certainly wouldn't breed from her at the risk of this being hereditary). TBH it would be cheaper for you to go out and buy a really good quality youngster and keep your mare as a babysitter.
 
wait to see what the vet says.
i wouldnt breed a horse who got arthritis so young unless it was for a very obvious reason not related to conformation etc.(eg horse been hammered as a baby)
breeding is tricky you never know what can happen.
safer and probably cheaper to buy another horse!
 
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