To loan broodmare or not? Are studs/breeders interested in loaning?

[zoeshiloh]

I am having a bit of a dilema at the moment. In 2010 I want to concentrate more on my riding again, and scale back the stud/breeding for a couple of years. I have a superb broodmare, winner of multiple county classes and championships, and dam of three very successful offspring. All three foals to date have won big county classes, and in a months time her first foal will be going for grading as a stallion. This mare throws quality foals time after time, and is a fantastic mum. However, I feel that if I want to spend more time on riding I wont have time for her, and wonder if I should loan her out. I wouldn't let her go just anywhere - I would want her to go to a home that intended to show her and breed quality stock. I have a 2009/2010 service voucher for £100 for an SHB(GB) approved stallion that I could let the loanee use. She also has one for 2010/2011 season. She is empty this year, we left her empty with the aim of putting her back in foal around February time.

I am thinking of advertising her for loan in H&H but am so worried as I've had some very bad experiences loaning, and loaning a broodmare is always risky. This mare means a lot to me, and I want to make the right decision. This is her at the South Suffolk Show earlier this year, winning the broodmare sporthorse class and standing reserve champion sporthorse;

Breeding here; http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/ayemkay+evin+star

Registered as a broodmare with wetherbys and overstamped SHB(GB)

 

[volatis]

I have loaned broodmares in the past and certainly would do again. It worked out very well for all parties. The owner had 2 1/2 years with no costs, but had the mares back when she was ready to use them again herself.
I had access to bloodlines I couldn't afford to buy.

So yes as a stud I would consider loaning a broodmare, but I would make sure I had a good working relationship with the owner and everything set out in writing beforehand

 

[pinkcatkin]

Ditto that Zoe. Rosie is on breeding loan but it is to somebody I know and trust, I can visit her whenever I like and I know she is well looked after and happy.

Word of mouth is the best way, I would think. Good luck.

 

[JanetGeorge]

She's a lovely mare - and yes - many studs ARE interested in having brood mares on loan - but you DO need to be careful. I have heard of several nightmare experiences!

I have two brood mares on loan at present and have a good relationship with both owners - and I take even MORE care of those two mares than my own! I see it as a hell of a responsibility - caring for someone else's much loved mare. Sadly it seems not all stud owners feel the same.

Ideally your mare should be not SO far away that you can't visit. And you should have a solid and detailed loan agreement. And of course you should visit the stud before letting your mare go - and pay particular attention to the condition of all mares there - looking at body condition, feet, general management and the way horses are handled.

 

[Simsar]

Agree completely with what has been said so far but can I just add Stud owners make sure that you find out all about the mare too.
A broodmare loan contract was drawn up recently by a mare owner for us which stated a particular condition we were not informed about in the initial meeting and we subsequently turned the mare down so its not only the mare owners that have to be careful. This is the third time we have had to turn a mare down due to conditions not being stated until the twelfth hour!

 

[Delarose]

I share Zoes concerns about the risks of loaning out a mare and you really need to do your homework about the people she goes to and make sure that the contract covers everything (including your right to remove the mare if you feel that the care she is receiving is inadequate).

From the other end would 100% agree with Janet - I have loaned recipient mares and I have treated them as my own, vet, farrier, worming - they become part of the herd.
Don't forget, the person loaning her wants a foal at the end so it is in their interest to make sure she's looked after.

This year I have loaned a mare out for breeding but she is staying with me so I don't have to worry at all!

Maybe that could be an option?

 

[Ciss]

Just a couple of points from the viewpoint of a potential loanee (not of this mare but if anyone has a 13.2hh chesnut, palomino or dun mare with full pedigree (SPSS, Sec C or NPS preferred), proven breeder but probably empty becuase rested this year I might be interested <ROFL&gt as these might eb helpful.

It is quite a financial risk loaning an empty mare as a broodmare at this time of year unless there is a defiente reason why she is empty (ie has not been covered!) and maiden mares are even more risky as they may turn out to be non-breeders afetr you have spent money feeding and keeping them for the autumn, winter and then through the covering season.

Also a *potential* competition horse or pony broodmare is much more attractive to a growng number of breeders if she has been graded into an appropriate studbook as this increases the value of the foals. If she is not graded the loanee will need to have the owners consent that the mare can be taken to a grading and may well ask for some financial support for this as it will also increase the long-term value of the mare to the owners benefit.

All preliminary swabs, vet tests etc must also be at the owners -- not the loaner's -- request.

I have had a number of broodmares on lease to me in the past and these issues were always addressed successfully from the very beginning but if they had not been then problems could well have occured later on.