which mare?

[kathleen57]

I have been offered a choice of 2 brood mares with the option of having 1 on loan.
broodmare 1. good performer in her own right jumped successfully upto 1.30m. dressage to med level, successfully evented at intermediate level. not a world beater but good genuine mare. Quite a nice mover but not the most active hind leg. Conformation wise, good neck and shoulder, very good legs and feet bit long in back.

broodmare 2. younger is unbroken as sustained a tendon injury as a 2 yr old. good bloodlines. good hock action but light of bone, back at knee and a bit weak in the hock.

I suppose the question I am asking is do I go for less movement and proven performance or better bloodlines and movement but light of bone.

 

[mealrigghallstud]

I would avoid number 2 - back at the knee AND a weak hock is just not something that should be bred from at all - pasture pet at best. First one sounds OK but would need to see conformational shot - some mares may be great and do very well career wise but are sometimes a one off - would it not be cheaper to buy a ready made yearling/weanling as would know for definite what you are getting?

 

[emlybob]

I would go for the first one. Reason being it has a proven record and I would be concerned why a 2 year old has had a tendon injury, could it be conformation related?

Too me bloodlines are inportant but not everything and it seems like the other mare is the one with the good history, just my opinion tho

 

[kathleen57]

i think you are right. Limb conformation and soundnessis more important than blood lines. If i pick the right stallion, (hopefully one who stamps his stock) to improve mare 1's conformation I should be OK

 

[competitiondiva]

I'd go with mare No 1 too, for the same reasons as stated, good luck.