Hobby Breeding with AI

[[127815]]

Hello I find myself transitioning in to a bit of hobby breeding. I have bought 2 mares in foal and thinking of AI (vet assisted) to breed again for next year.
I've a fair bit of experience with foaling through buying mares already in foal but have never bred them again at home.

I would like to have a personal name / prefix attached to any foals I breed but can this prefix only be registered and used if my horses and I are also registered with a breeding society - would I need to have a stallion of my own to do this or are mares with selective AI eligible too?

One of my mares is unregistered with any society, she's a friesian on a replacement passport. Although I have a 'note' of her breeding it would pretty difficult to register her with them.

All new to me, any input regarding prefix names and registration would be greatly appreciated!

 

[reynold]

I did this a while ago for many years but am now retired. I had my own prefix with the Central Prefix Register and you didn't need to have your own stallion (although I did). I bred sports ponies and registered them with the SPSS. Your mare would probably register with AES but I'd try to get a better registration than that if possible as AES isn't that highly regarded.

I had a good vet within a general horse practice who specialised in breeding. I had all the AI, scans, etc. done at home by my vet although now there are many equine vet practices listed as specialism for breeding (look out for the ad in H&H - there is usually a page listing the vets) so you should be able to find one nearby.

The most difficult for me, as I worked full time as well as having my own yard, was being around for the delivery of the semen. I was lucky that my vet practice was prepared to accept the delivery as they are obviously manned (are we allowed to say that anymore??!!) all day.

There are the usual caveats about breeding though. Make sure your mares are of enough quality and don't expect to make any money from the breeding although if you're lucky you may break even. Good luck.

 

[[127815]]

I did this a while ago for many years but am now retired. I had my own prefix with the Central Prefix Register and you didn't need to have your own stallion (although I did). I bred sports ponies and registered them with the SPSS. Your mare would probably register with AES but I'd try to get a better registration than that if possible as AES isn't that highly regarded.

I had a good vet within a general horse practice who specialised in breeding. I had all the AI, scans, etc. done at home by my vet although now there are many equine vet practices listed as specialism for breeding (look out for the ad in H&H - there is usually a page listing the vets) so you should be able to find one nearby.

The most difficult for me, as I worked full time as well as having my own yard, was being around for the delivery of the semen. I was lucky that my vet practice was prepared to accept the delivery as they are obviously manned (are we allowed to say that anymore??!!) all day.

There are the usual caveats about breeding though. Make sure your mares are of enough quality and don't expect to make any money from the breeding although if you're lucky you may break even. Good luck.

Thank you for info, much appreciated.
Yes my vet has an AI program, they take in and store the semen for clients too which is ideal.

I'm finding myself doing it purely for the love of it, if I make anything extra on top that's a bonus.

I wasn't aware AES isn't highly regarded I shall keep this in mind!

 

[[127815]]

Just getting my head around this

Mare registered with SHB(GB)

AI stallion is with AES

Could I register with either (using my prefix) ?

 

[ihatework]

Yes you could register with either.
AES take pretty much anything.
SHGB do too, but you are likely only going to get a basic bottom rung studbook.

If you are going to start breeding you really need to focus on the raw material, ie the mare. Unregistered isn’t ideal.
If she has a SHBGB then consider presenting for grading.

 

[tda]

Have fun, but you will make even less money () using AI

 

[TheMule]

Make money? By breeding?! Yeah…. Right!!
There is no money in it, no one will pay enough for foals to make it worth doing, unless out of superstar mares but then your investment in the mare is huge too. If you can keep it till 3/4 and you get incredibly lucky to not get too many costs and can do the production yourself then maybe you can make a few hundred quid. But I doubt it!

 

[[127815]]

Yes I've a good idea the costs involved.
I know it doesn't always go well also
I work full time so that covers the bills. It'll quite literally be an enjoyable hobby as I said. I really love working away with the mares. And if I make anything back at all on a sale that'll be a bonus. Certainly not expecting to profit

 

[reynold]

Problem is you get so attached to them. I sold one of mine to a young para rider. When she outgrew him I bought him back!

I started with one riding horse and ended up with 9 at one point. I did sell some eventually.....but breeding is very addictive.

 

[Xmasha]

Yes I've a good idea the costs involved.
I know it doesn't always go well also
I work full time so that covers the bills. It'll quite literally be an enjoyable hobby as I said. I really love working away with the mares. And if I make anything back at all on a sale that'll be a bonus. Certainly not expecting to profit

sounds like you have the right idea. I’m a hobby breeder, but trying to push into doing it a bit more seriously.
Have got a prefix now , that was easy . Just go on the prefix register . You then pay per stud book . I’ve gone with SHB(Gb) for my IDSH . I presented my mare for grading and she’s now in the stud book , and her first foal was also graded with them . My 2 that are due this year are full IDs so will go with the ID stud book .
My advice to you would be start with the best mares you can afford . An unregistered mare with no recorded breeding is going to limit the ££ of the foal unless your mare has performed to a certain standard ? Or she has bred some winners already ?
I’m a big fan of graded mares with full traceable breeding .
Good luck with your plans , i hope you have a lot of fun

 

[[127815]]

sounds like you have the right idea. I’m a hobby breeder, but trying to push into doing it a bit more seriously.
Have got a prefix now , that was easy . Just go on the prefix register . You then pay per stud book . I’ve gone with SHB(Gb) for my IDSH . I presented my mare for grading and she’s now in the stud book , and her first foal was also graded with them . My 2 that are due this year are full IDs so will go with the ID stud book .
My advice to you would be start with the best mares you can afford . An unregistered mare with no recorded breeding is going to limit the ££ of the foal unless your mare has performed to a certain standard ? Or she has bred some winners already ?
I’m a big fan of graded mares with full traceable breeding .
Good luck with your plans , i hope you have a lot of fun

Thank you. All the best with your expansion!
Friesian mare is the only one unregistered. She is the sweetest girl so I think she will have a home for life. I may give her a wee year or two off breeding and see how she takes to some training she's 8 just now. Could see her hacking about the countryside.
My other 2 are 'better' for breeding. Have a 2* event mare SHB(GB) retired due to injury and a lovely AES cremello mare with full breeding recorded.