would you buy a horse thats had 2 foals?

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silverstar

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As title says really. Ive seen an 11 yo horse who has had two foals and is now back in work (not sure how long been back in work). Im not sure so I thought I'd ask you experienced HHO'ers.
 
I'd say take a look if she sounds like the sort you're after. Make sure you find out why they decided to breed from her (was it injury meaning enforced time off? was she a bit sharp and they thought that it might calm her down? were they just making use of a good deal on a stallion) and how long she's been back in work and what she did before and after?
 
My little welsh x fell mare has had countless numbers of foals before I got her (when she was 8) and it hasn't made a difference at all in her. Nice to know I could have a foal from her if I wanted without worrying so much of problems as it wouldn't be her first :)
 
penfold said:
As title says really. Ive seen an 11 yo horse who has had two foals and is now back in work (not sure how long been back in work). Im not sure so I thought I'd ask you experienced HHO'ers.
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As a riding horse - absolutely - if it ticked all my boxes. Mares that have bred a few foals - provided they've been properly managed - are often far quieter and more sensible than they were before their brood mare career. Obviously if I had any thoughts on breeding in the future I would be enquiring WHY she was being put back into work - had she had a bad foaling - or failed as a brood mare for another reason.

But if she's a 'nice' - but not exceptional mare, then it may well have been an economic decision. A good riding horse is usually worth more than the same horse as a brood mare in the current climate.
 
Thanks for the useful info. The horse has jumped BSJA and I think seems cheap considering what shes done. But I'll question why she's had the foals.
 
I've known a few ex broodmares and they've all been very sweet and very trainable. I would certainly buy another one! As mentioned just find out why she was used as a broodmare and not ridden.
 
Agree with the others that the fact she has had two foals wouldn't put me off, per se. However, that said, you have to take into account that, sadly, a lot of people will put a mare in foal when it has had an injury, a soundness problem, or had found her hard to ride. If it is a soundness problem, then she may stay sound when initially brought into work, but once doing more strenuous stuff such as jumping, then the problem might reappear.

So I would do a lot of homework on the mare first - if she is in your local area and has BSJA'd then you might know people who know her. And obviously a full vetting would be advisable too!
 
I wouldn't be put off if the horse seemed totally right for me.

I would get a full vetting though just to ensure she's fit and healthy, but then I'd do that with any horse I buy in the future anyway x
 
I did! My first mare was a 15hh Irish cob. The family she belonged to bred her to a TB to get a good event horse. She bred two foals and both stayed with the family (who were a very successful competition family), their daughters competed her offspring. This mare had won at the RDS in DUblin and they simply wanted her genes, strong legs and good nature bred to something with a bit more tiger in its tank. They sold her to me when their children outgrew her as I was offering a quieter home. She was great, very calm and laid back and very maternal. When I became pregnant she turned out to be a wonderful family horse. I'm sure her own pregnancies brought this out in her. She was fascinated with babies and my bump and was a great nanny to weanlings and their long suffering dams.
 
indiat said:
I did! My first mare was a 15hh Irish cob. The family she belonged to bred her to a TB to get a good event horse. She bred two foals and both stayed with the family (who were a very successful competition family), their daughters competed her offspring. This mare had won at the RDS in DUblin and they simply wanted her genes, strong legs and good nature bred to something with a bit more tiger in its tank. They sold her to me when their children outgrew her as I was offering a quieter home. She was great, very calm and laid back and very maternal. When I became pregnant she turned out to be a wonderful family horse. I'm sure her own pregnancies brought this out in her. She was fascinated with babies and my bump and was a great nanny to weanlings and their long suffering dams.
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Aww that's really cute!
 
I did too! :D
My girl is a full bred Cleveland Bay - They kind of Have to breed (Rare gene pools meaning everyone is worth its weight (baring defects,,,))

She is a keeper!!! Backed and brought on by yours truely - as a 1st solo project I'm happy how its going! :D
We now have her daughter too.

She only stopped breding as they wanted her to find a new home (shuffle about meaning lack of space and time) - and her trainability proven in the inhand show ring - thought she might make a good riding horse!

Cant wait to bring on her daughter! :D

I think others have been asking very good questions - but just wanted to tell you about mine!
 
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