To what age can a mare produce a foal?

asmp

asmp

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I admit I don't know much about producing foals but was surprised to see an advert offering a 20 year old mare for loan for breeding. What age do mares go on producing? A 20 year old seems a bit like getting your granny pregnant!
 
asmp said:
I admit I don't know much about producing foals but was surprised to see an advert offering a 20 year old mare for loan for breeding. What age do mares go on producing? A 20 year old seems a bit like getting your granny pregnant!
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Had a 29yo produce a foal that went on to win the Hickstead speed Derby. That foal was born in 89 and had their last foal 12 months ago. So 20 not to old yet I am sure many will be horrified LOL.
 
Until they die. I think humans are the only female mammals who have a menopause.

Whether you want to risk an old mare/orphan foal is another question.
 
Actually two wales species also experience senescence which is the technical term for menopause. But ycbm is right - mares can continue to produce foals until they die - although fertility rates decline and the risk of early pregnancy loss increases.
 
Shay said:
Actually two whale species also experience senescence which is the technical term for menopause. But ycbm is right - mares can continue to produce foals until they die - although fertility rates decline and the risk of early pregnancy loss increases.
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How interesting! Two whales, but not the rest, and women. I love odd things like that :)

OP I know someone who bred from a twenty five year old but the mare died and she was left with an orphan foal, which is a real problem if you can't foster.
 
Mny years ago mares often started as broodmare once their ridden career was over so to eventers, showjumpers etc were often bred from late teens until they died or stopped getting pregnant due to reduced fertility then they were often PTS as outliving their usefulness. It was a much harsher world then
 
windand rain said:
Mny years ago mares often started as broodmare once their ridden career was over so to eventers, showjumpers etc were often bred from late teens until they died or stopped getting pregnant due to reduced fertility then they were often PTS as outliving their usefulness. It was a much harsher world then
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I wouldn't say harsher, more prosiac perhaps. There are plenty of horses out there that would be better off dead than living a 'happy retirement'. Still, off topic, sorry OP.
 
Clodagh said:
I wouldn't say harsher, more prosiac perhaps. There are plenty of horses out there that would be better off dead than living a 'happy retirement'. Still, off topic, sorry OP.
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Completely agree. I've been watching two old brood mares deteriorate for several years after having their last foals. IMO they'd be better off dead than standing out in the wind and rain on a Peak Park hillside.
 
Clodagh said:
I wouldn't say harsher, more prosiac perhaps. There are plenty of horses out there that would be better off dead than living a 'happy retirement'. Still, off topic, sorry OP.
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The mare up for loan has been with the owner since she was 6 months old - that she is now up for loan surprised me too
 
Well like any older animal they are at risk of complications. Neighbour had a mare that had had a few nice foals, but the last time she was very ill and the vet advised it was the last one as the next could kill her, she was around 20.
 
I bought my horse 16 years ago and she was 16 at the time, I remember the lady that came to clip her suggesting I should breed from her because she was such a nice horse, but even then I was horrified and thought that was too old, so find the answers on here very surprising!

i do remember asking my vet about menopause because from about 28 I dont recall her going into season! very interesting
 
In breeding terms, 16 is not too old, unless the horse has some age-related issues.

I think you have to consider the animal as an individual. I have just had PTS a retired broodmare last year, aged 21. She'd been too old to breed for several years before - in appearance, physically and in behaviour.

But I had another mare foal last year aged 21, with no problems. If you didn't know her age, you'd never know how old she was. I discussed whether to allow her one more foal for this year with my vet, and given she is an easy foaler in very good health with no issues at all, and loves her foals and produces loads of milk, he felt there would be no issues with it, so it came down to my choice whether to or not.

Some mares are old at 15, some aren't old until well into their 20s. You really have to look closely at the mare in question.
 
varkie said:
In breeding terms, 16 is not too old, unless the horse has some age-related issues.

I think you have to consider the animal as an individual. I have just had PTS a retired broodmare last year, aged 21. She'd been too old to breed for several years before - in appearance, physically and in behaviour.

But I had another mare foal last year aged 21, with no problems. If you didn't know her age, you'd never know how old she was. I discussed whether to allow her one more foal for this year with my vet, and given she is an easy foaler in very good health with no issues at all, and loves her foals and produces loads of milk, he felt there would be no issues with it, so it came down to my choice whether to or not.

Some mares are old at 15, some aren't old until well into their 20s. You really have to look closely at the mare in question.
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Great post.
 
I agree it is entirely dependant on the mare. A lot of mares used as baby machines might have a weak back and loose muscles, meaning they will find it increasingly harder with each foal. I bred my 17yo last year, and i hummed and haad about her age but she was fit and healthy and the vet agreed she would be totally fine to try and so far everything has gone well - due in about 4 weeks or so.
 
Last year we took on three older brood mares when the breeder have up and sold all his herd.
They had all been running with the stallion.
S aged 22 came with a foal at foot ��, and has not been scanned but is quite large so we are expecting her to foal this year.
K age 20 usual brood mares shape, see what if anything we get ��
E age 24 does not look in foal and we don't expect anything
These girls have only ever been brood mares depending on what we get, we may cover
K this year
 
My mare age 29 excuse because taken in 89

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You would not believe looking at her the foal went on to such success! All her foals excelled at whatever they did competition wise. I still miss Shannon she got me started breeding seriously.
 
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