Maiden mare advice

[McGrools]

Hi, seriously considering putting my NH TB mare in foal this time. She is 11, it will be her first pregnancy.
I would love to breed a NH racehorse, or pointer. The stallions I like have decent stud fees. I just wonder would you be optimistic that a first foal would be worth a pricey stallion, or would it be wiser to test the water as such with a cheaper stud ie a conemarra pony, ( I have always wanted a Connie tb for me to keep) to see if she can successfully carry a pregnancy.
I have heard of a few first foals being on the small side, and until she is proven as up to the job is it wise not to chuck too much money at it?

 

[TheMule]

Would this be to sell or keep?
What are her own racing credentials? Would she justify a higher priced stallion based on her own performances/ family? There are some reasonably priced TB stallions around if you just want to make a fun horse that could be competitive in PTPs

 

[McGrools]

Would this be to sell or keep?
What are her own racing credentials? Would she justify a higher priced stallion based on her own performances/ family? There are some reasonably priced TB stallions around if you just want to make a fun horse that could be competitive in PTPs

She has been placed a good few times over hurdles. One won. Ran 29 times in total.
I like her attitude, she has a good work ethic.
I’m not sure re buy or keep. Depends what comes out and if it would be worth anything or not. I’ve seen some nh bred foals going dirt cheap last week at goffs sales.
She is not overly big and is very fine so would want to add bone and size hopefully for the pointing job.

 

[TheMule]

She has been placed a good few times over hurdles. One won. Ran 29 times in total.
I like her attitude, she has a good work ethic.
I’m not sure re buy or keep. Depends what comes out and if it would be worth anything or not. I’ve seen some nh bred foals going dirt cheap last week at goffs sales.
She is not overly big and is very fine so would want to add bone and size hopefully for the pointing job.

It doesn’t sound like she will make a commercial foal if racing is your target market. Has she done a useful job since then? To be worth money as potential allrounders (say if you used a Connemara stallion) they do also need to have proven themselves as that IMO.
Breeding to sell is very rarely worth doing.

 

[McGrools]

It doesn’t sound like she will make a commercial foal if racing is your target market. Has she done a useful job since then? To be worth money as potential allrounders (say if you used a Connemara stallion) they do also need to have proven themselves as that IMO.
Breeding to sell is very rarely worth doing.

I agree, breeding to sell with any aspirations of making money is certainly not a thought. I would aim to keep unless it became apparent that horse would need a more professional set up than I can offer. I would love to ride in a point to point some day but am probably getting too long in the tooth myself to see it through
I have had her 2 years and she is bold as brass jumping wise, and is very trainable and willing, but is having a couple of soundness issues now and I don’t want to leave it too late before I attempt a pregnancy so now seems a good time to have a go.

 

[twiggy2]

I will be blunt.
I wouldn't breed from a mare that has soundness issues at 11yrs old.
She doesn't sound like she had a very successful racing career and doesn't sound like she has done much of worth since, there are so many so so horses out there nd not enough homes why add to the numbers?

 

[TheMule]

To be fair, to run 29 times and retire sound is pretty decent, and going lame at 11 isn’t great, but it's an awful lot better than most broodmares

 

[Equi]

Hmm I’m semi in the same situation albeit on a much smaller scale. My mare is a great example of the breed but very very (very) limited decent stallion choices here. I could have her in foal tomorrow with just any stallion. Do I wait and go to a decent one or see what she breeds like first knowing she’ll put a good stamp on any foal anyway

Sorry I’m no help. Decisions decisions.

 

[Maddie Moo]

You’ve possibly already looked but this site is a good starting place. I have to say I’m quite taken with Kingston Hill, and not just because I’m a big fan of Mastercraftsman!

NH Stallions

 

[McGrools]

You’ve possibly already looked but this site is a good starting place. I have to say I’m quite taken with Kingston Hill, and not just because I’m a big fan of Mastercraftsman!

NH Stallions

Yes I like the look of him. He looks nice and chunky. Almost a bit Connie like.
The A lister I would chose would be Gentlewave at Yorton. Going for a proven grade 1 producer.

 

[McGrools]

To be fair, to run 29 times and retire sound is pretty decent, and going lame at 11 isn’t great, but it's an awful lot better than most broodmares

I agree, she ran over 3 miles on good to firm ground over 5 seasons, and was a tough cookie.
Far better than an unproven broodmare x

 

[McGrools]

Hmm I’m semi in the same situation albeit on a much smaller scale. My mare is a great example of the breed but very very (very) limited decent stallion choices here. I could have her in foal tomorrow with just any stallion. Do I wait and go to a decent one or see what she breeds like first knowing she’ll put a good stamp on any foal anyway

Sorry I’m no help. Decisions decisions.

Where are you that there are limited stallion choices?

 

[Equi]

Where are you that there are limited stallion choices?

N.i. Very few amha licensed stallions (if there is actually any )

 

[cariadbach10]

Yes I like the look of him. He looks nice and chunky. Almost a bit Connie like.
The A lister I would chose would be Gentlewave at Yorton. Going for a proven grade 1 producer.

I have a mare out of Gentlewave. She’s the sweetest soul I’ve ever come across and a super confirmation/great feet for a TB.

 

[McGrools]

I have a mare out of Gentlewave. She’s the sweetest soul I’ve ever come across and a super confirmation/great feet for a TB.

Excellent to know. Thankyou