By Vet Bethan Harper
Now that the days are brighter and mares are cycling again, it’s time to start preparing for this year's breeding season.
As exciting as the idea of a foal from your favourite mare can be, breeding is not a simple business, and it is important to be well prepared and manage expectations from the start.
The first thing to consider is whether your mare is actually a suitable candidate for breeding. There are a few factors to consider here; her age, temperament, and breeding history will all play a role, as well as any health conditions that may be genetically passed on to a foal. Just because your mare has had to be retired from ridden work doesn’t mean she should have a foal! Many conditions that lead to retirement can have a genetic component to them. Your vet can discuss all of these factors with you to help you decide if your mare is a good candidate.
It is also important to recognize that breeding a mare requires a significant investment of both time and money. The stud fee and vet fees associated with getting a mare in foal can quickly mount up, particularly if multiple cycles are required. Additionally, if anything goes wrong, a sick foal can end up costing a significant amount of money as intensive care is usually required. As for time, if you have to travel your mare either for natural cover, or to an AI facility you may end up doing multiple trips back and forth, and usually at inconvenient times!
Foaling time is no easier, as foaling dates are never exact, so you will end up with many sleepless nights checking your mare.
If you decide that breeding your mare is definitely something you wish to pursue, the next consideration is the choice of stallion. Consider not only his type and credentials but also his availability throughout the season, and what type of semen is available. Some stallions only offer natural cover which will mean your mare will have to travel to stand at stud.
Other stallions may offer semen for artificial insemination (AI), either fresh chilled, or frozen. The type of semen may impact whether your own vet is able to perform the AI or if your mare may have to travel to a facility where they can perform this. It is also important to know how far semen needs to be ordered in advance, and if postage is national or international. Clear communication between your vet, the stallion owner/manager, and yourself is essential to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Ensuring that your mare is in good general health before breeding season will make getting her in foal a much easier task. Make sure she is up to date with her vaccinations and has had her feet and teeth looked at prior to sending her to stud or starting the AI process.
Broodmares can often be overlooked as they aren’t being ridden, but it is still just as important that they have well maintained feet and a comfortable mouth. If you’re sending your mare to stud, or to be inpatient at a practice for AI they will often require up to date vaccinations. An ideal body condition score will also improve your mare’s chances of getting in foal. An underconditioned mare will struggle to provide the energy required to get in foal and hold a pregnancy, while an overconditioned mare will be more predisposed to endocrine conditions that may impact fertility, and will struggle with the additional weight of a foal.