Help?!

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I have a mare who's 15.3hh, max 13 years dark bay tb x warmblood. She has competed at dressage for the past few years, but has had to retire due to back problems. Apart from that she has no health problems, and if very affectionate (will follow you round all day!). She can be ridden, although it would be unfair to put her back into hard work, so she is mainly restricted to hacking (which she loves).
But, over this winter dues to a levels I have found that I do not have enough time for her, even to ride her lightly. So I was wondering what others have done in the same situation? She has great lines, so I have thought about her going on loan to be a broodmare, but I have no experience of this! If anyone could give any advice on what they have done in the past as I'm sure many have been in the same situation, and whether a broodmare home has worked for anyone? I would still like to remain the owner, and I don't need to sell her to raise money so any advice would be great!
Sorry if I've waffled a bit!
Thanks :)
 
She sounds lovely, why not get a sharer in that just wants to do some light hacking? Or loaning her out as a companion that can also hack?

As for the broodmare idea I would be worried about breeding from a mare that has problems with her back. Not only are there issues with breeding from a mare with a problem and passing it on to the foal, the extra weight of the foal may cause more problems.
 
I think loaning as a companion would be a good idea if you cannot get a sharer :) If you do decide to loan her as a brood mare then I agree with Jemima too and Nicki, I would get your vets advice as to whether she will be fit to carry a foal to term.

Good luck with her :)
 
Like the others, I would be worried about breeding a horse with back problems. It would put more strain on her and she could pass the same problem to the foal. If I were you I would look for a sharer who could ride her a couple of times a week.
 
I have spoken to the vets today, who think that it would be a good idea to have her in foal as she could breed a very nice one, and two different vets have said that their 99% certain she would have no discomfort carrying a foal... The last thing I would want is for her to be in pain, as she means the world to me, and owes me nothing :) I just don't want her to be sitting in a field doing nothing all day and being miserable! If anyone could suggest anything or any tips as to whether a broodmare loan is a good road to go down I'd be really grateful :)
Thanks :)
 
Perhaps she'd be happier still being ridden as, being a broodmare, she'd still be essentially sitting out in the field doing nothing and being miserable for 11 months.... If she's a lovely ride I'm sure it would be possible to find a sharer/loaner... maybe not this side of Christmas... with the whole winter ahead... but a bit later. What's the problem with her back?
 
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Unless you are going to keep the foal forever and the mare then I would advise against breeding from her. There are already too many horses out there in need of a home, many are being starved, neglected and abandoned. Why add another one to the list.

If as you say she doesn't owe you anything then just keep her, either get a sharer or give her the winter off - I'm sure she wont mind.
 
lochpearl said:
Unless you are going to keep the foal forever and the mare then I would advise against breeding from her. There are already too many horses out there in need of a home, many are being starved, neglected and abandoned. Why add another one to the list.

If as you say she doesn't owe you anything then just keep her, either get a sharer or give her the winter off - I'm sure she wont mind.
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Absolutely that.
Just adding more horses to an already dire situation.
I would get a loaner in. There are may people who want a nice horse to hack out on without all the seriousness of schooling etc. And you may even get someone willing to share the expense of her.
 
I'm sure your mare wont mind 'doing nothing' in a field, as essentially that's what she'd be doing if she were in foal anyway? I think a sharer who wants gentle hacks would be your best idea, or even a full loan as a happy hacker if she is safe and sane?
There are plenty of people out there looking for a nice horse to hack, a sharer may even pay towards her upkeep and will help with stable chorse etc, taking the strain off you?

I see no gain in you putting your mare in foal, other than landing yourself another horse that you don't have time for?
 
I realy urge you not to breed from her, there is a glut of horses at the moment being passed from piller to post with charities bursting at the seams.
If you intend to keep the foal as a forever horse, how will you have the time to put the work into a youngster when you do not have the time for your mare.
I would look for a sharer, who if you dont need the money can do a few chores in exchanged for hacking out, there are loads of good teenage riders out there who's parents cannot afford to keep a horse.
 
I would either keep her out 24/7 or find a sharer. There's no point putting her in foal as above, there's already too many horses out there.

I'm in uni and keeping mine out 24/7. It works for both of us and although I do ride him, he would rather be rolling in the field and grazing!
 
lochpearl said:
Unless you are going to keep the foal forever and the mare then I would advise against breeding from her. There are already too many horses out there in need of a home, many are being starved, neglected and abandoned. Why add another one to the list.

If as you say she doesn't owe you anything then just keep her, either get a sharer or give her the winter off - I'm sure she wont mind.
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As above. There is so many unwanted foals about please do not breed any more to add to the list
 
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