Stallion selection

[RoperAB]

If my mares dam was a good broodmare does that mean that chances are my mare will be pretty good?
If I breed her this spring as a 5 yo for the first time is it more risky if I use a larger stallion?
Example my mare would be about 15.2hh <never measured her> but she isnt the heaviest horse around. Now there is a stallion not so far from here thats a good 16hh and im guessing 1400lbs. Should I look for a smaller stallion?
What are your thoughts?

[Jinglebob]

In my experience, horses are like deer and longhorns. Most will just have a foal, but I'm sure there are some out there who will have trouble having their first foal.

[Northern Rancher]

we used to breed our draft mares Arab for their first foal-closest thing to a Longhorn in the horse business. Actually got some nice light driving teams out of them.

[EastTexasGal]

I am like JB I have been lucky enough to never have a problem with a mare foaling. As a old friend said years ago, in horses it seems nature takes care of them... The feeding program has a lot to do with foaling size, or as I was also taught..just common sense in my oppinion. I had one mare that would have the scrawniest foal, but within a month would be filled out and never stop growing, thought I could find some pics of them but..guess with all the moving they are put up in a box that I can not find. She was a small mare about 14.2 (Foundation bred) my stallion was 15.2 old foundation Bulldog type stud. He was 90% and Reg with NFQHA...nice boy. Anyway, long story short..from first foal to last (5 foals while I had her) she never had a problem. They matured nice and made good using horses.

I also kept a old mare I had sold which was bred to a HUGE HUNTER StALLION ..when foal was born, he was over at the knees and had tremendously long legs...lol. Called the vet, was told that with him being so big, that he was folded up and that it would all be okay. Sure enough..withing a few weeks he was fine. Beautiful Huge warmbred/QH ...Just had to stretch them legs out when he hit the ground.

And, yes if she had a good mother...she will more than likely be a good mother herself. It is after all much like a cow, it is instinct and bred in. I have been fortunate again to have been blessed with good MaMa's. I have found that a nervous horse, does not mother as well. They tend to not milk out and look after their babies as well.

Use your instincts.. and good luck!!

Easty

[Denny]

[RoperAB]

[JF Ranch]

Roper AB,

I'd say there is no question but to breed your mare. If she performs to your satisfaction, then she should raise some good colts. I've heard from old timers that 75% of a colt's ability comes from the mare, so if you like her, go for it. I must get it from my Grandfather, who always had a chuckle in his voice when seeing a new foal he'd say, "There's nothing prettier than a nice baby colt!"

The bigger question gets back to the subject line of this thread: what stallion? My recommendation is to select the best stud you can find in a price range you can afford, but... don't be afraid to spend some money. Quality counts.

You may have followed my posts concerning the mare we took to the World Show. She was out of an unproven yet well bred mare that I had, but by the best stud I had ever seen. Frosty Feature's stud fee at that time was $500 plus mare care, which seemed high to me at the time, but I gave him a try and the rest is history. That fee was a bargain. Today, you should be able to get a super stud for less than what you've payed for 2 yr olds. Out of 4 colts, 2 or 3 may be disappointing, but do the math with what you can sell them for and you'll still get your really good one for a comparative bargain.

We have a similar dilema facing us in deciding what to breed our mare to. The temptation is strong to go for the gold, but with the risk in AI or embry transfer, it could be a costly bit of experience.

I am hoping others with knowlege in this area can shed light on stallion selection, AI or embryo transfer for both of us!

[Mrs.Greg]

[RoperAB]

[Heel Fly]

Hey RoperAB
It has been our experience that a mare (or Mother Nature) takes care of the foal size issue. As a general rule a mares first colt will be smaller, not always of coarse, but its not like it is with cattle. On the vaccinating for westnile you need to do it at least 45 days prior to foaling and at least 45 after breeding. That is what our vet says anyway.

[Northern Rancher]

I've heeled calves on a mare a week before she foaled a little light work sure won't hurt them at all. Draft mares used to get the day they foaled off then back in the harness. I guesss I just let horses be horses-they run in a bunch-mares foal on the grass and the foals get socialized with other horses from birth on.We let the mares wean the foals off on their own. I think half the trouble with horses is that were trying to decide what's good for the horse instead of letting the horses show us. Same as running horses with cattle-the brood mares winter with the cows and I never have behavioral troubles between them. It's them shut up in a pen barn soured suckers that you can't let out from under your thumb-I think you've pretty much talked yourself out of breeding her anyway-remember perceived dangers are always worse than real ones. Mind you mine are just lowly ranch horses not the upper crust but I'm sure some of what works for them might work for others.

[Silver]