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Post by April on Aug 15, 2013 12:33:39 GMT -1
Hi All, As some of you know I'm looking to establish a small breeding herd over years to come. But I'm now faced with the question of age gaps between foundation herd mares? Something I need to start considering as I look into buying more ponies.. I'd like to know about your experiences of buying foundation stock - all at once/over say 5 to 10 years/longer? All of the same age or differing ages? Proven mares or not? I'm now thinking a longer time frame may be wiser as I'll end up with a herd of veterans of the same age otherwise! I'd like all of the mares to have a ridden career before being put in foal around 8 yrs, also don't really want to be backing more than 1 a year. Would this mean that 4 yr age gaps between the ponies would be a good way to go about it, as by the time one is 8 and ready to be used for breeding I can start to back a 4 yr old etc. The other alternative is to have a very small number of foundation mares then hope to establish homebreds as the breeding herd, but I imagine you would probably have to breed on a larger scale than I would be planning to establish some good enough ponies and it would of course take a longer time. As I only want a small herd I also need to start thinking about blood lines and stallions that stand at stud - I'm doubtful as to whether I would actually purchase a stallion of my own, certainly not for the first few foals anyway. But this limits mares of certain lines as so few stallions stand at stud. Is this a problem any of you have faced? Would love to know your thoughts  |
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Post by jap on Aug 15, 2013 12:57:13 GMT -1
I would buy mares that you like. If you see one come up for sale and she is the type you go for then her age doesn't really matter.The best laid plans don't always work so don't get too rigid in what you think you should be doing.Have some stallions in mind so you have an idea of the bloodlines you want but have ponies you enjoy looking at and working with.
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Post by cadeby on Aug 15, 2013 21:12:55 GMT -1
I second what Julie has said. Just buy the type, temperament and bloodlines that you like and keep the bloodlines of 2 or 3 of your favourite, available stallions in mind when choosing your mares.
Having seen the enjoyment my foals get out of playing with siblings, I would always aim to have at least 2 foals on the ground at any one time time, rather than a single foal, even if that meant not breeding in certain years.
Maybe start with a proven broodmare who has conceived and foaled easily, although there are never any guarantees. I have 2 mares that I bought as 3 and 4 year olds that I haven't managed to get in foal. Others just look at the stallions and they're pregnant, lol.
I would start small and build-up gradually. You may get an early run of homebred fillies that you decide to retain, so you wouldn't then need to buy in lots of extra stock, or you might retian a homebred colt and then need entirely different bloodlines. It would give you more flexibilty and allow more scope for change if you found that you weren't producing the type of foals you were aiming for.
Also be prepared for a roller-coaster of emotions. Breeding foals is fun, beautiful and a privilege but it can also be totally devastating at times. It's also hard on the pocket - no breeder who properly cares for their mares can ever make a profit in the current financial climate, so you'll be working hard all for the love of the breed xx
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Post by April on Aug 16, 2013 7:42:32 GMT -1
I'd end up buying hundreds if I picked the ones I liked haha although I do believe that if something's meant to be it'll be and I am getting more of an eye for the lines I like! Perhaps I should ditch the plan and go with the flow. I think I'll start looking more into older proven mares as it's something I haven't really looked at at the moment. I bet they're much harder to come by though.. Definitely think I must be mad for wanting to do it but the breed is so worth all of the tears and troubles!  |
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Aug 16, 2013 10:06:18 GMT -1
I would definitely go with an older mare or two, they know the ropes which helps sometimes. I would also make sure you have a range of bloodlines. If you get all your mares from the same lines, and then decide to retain a colt, you won't be able to use him on any of the mares. No matter what anyone says, you can only try the matings - sometimes you get the bits you wanted from the stallion/mare and sometimes you don't! Have fun and buy a jacket with deep pockets......!  |
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Post by Minnie on Aug 17, 2013 19:55:09 GMT -1
Be aware they turn into your children ETA: if things go wrong they can go horribly wrong but you're creating a life and they're God's gift. I wouldn't change my babies for the world. Be prepared for the unexpected too though and guidance from the RIGHT people when starting out is really important |
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Post by flintfootfilly on Aug 17, 2013 20:26:13 GMT -1
Be aware they turn into your children .... Ah, I couldn't work out how to say that, but you've put it perfectly! I was going to try to breed a foal a year, bring them on a little and sell them, and keep a couple of mares for riding each year. So I bred my first one, sold him as a yearling and bought him back 3 years later. Bred two more, couldn't bring myself to sell either.......... so I don't risk breeding any more now!!! I think it must be wonderful though if you can cope with selling them, and find them wonderful homes, and enjoy watching them blossom with new owners, and I'm eternally grateful to the breeder who entrusted me with my first mare when really I had lots of dreams and determination but very little knowledge. Sarah |
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Post by Anna on Aug 18, 2013 10:29:49 GMT -1
An older proven mare is a good way to start, a proven easy breeder ideally. That's where we started although that didn't work out as the ideal start at all but the intention was there. Don't get hung up on bloodlines too much, its important but dont let it over rule your heart, breed to the standard and what you want to breed and the lines work themselves out and you will find the horses you like will be very similarly bred as most lines really stamp the ponies. The tricky step is where to go when you've done the first cross and then working out which lines/ponies/stallions to use on the first generation. That is hard but you can only breed to improve your stock and try to improve on weaknesses.
They do become your life and Sarah is right, there is possibly even more pleasure to be had seeing your stock go into wonderful homes and grow and thrive and give others immeasurable pleasure in their new jobs. You do get a few heart stopping moments but I'm a firm believer that if you set a young horse up right in their first few years to be nice, responsible, civil members of societies they look after themselves 9.9 times out of 10 and even if circumstances means they don't stay in their initial homes they will always be ok as they have the right foundations and start in life so they are a pleasure and not a burden to their new owners and that is the best thing you can do for any young pony.
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Post by April on Aug 18, 2013 15:32:39 GMT -1
Haha I don't do little kids so ponies instead is fine!!! I'm thinking about starting to breed in about 3/4 years when Coral is older, so will definitely look into getting a proven mare nearer to then. Think I'll just go with my heart for now, see which ponies I end up with and not worry about lines too much! Gives me time to swat up on it all and get my back up plans in place (and an extra savings account by the sounds of it!).. Quite lucky in that I'm surrounded by lots of people that have bred before and I've had a fair amount of experience as I used to work at the vets, although there's always plenty to learn! Really glad you've said that Anna, having bought Coral as an unhandled 2 yr old I can now understand the importance of all the ground work. She's been a challenge to say the least, but we're getting there slowly and she's maturing into a nice mare. I always think she'll have quite a wild streak though and I'll never trust her like I have other ponies in the past. But saying that I managed to fall off Jester earlier (had dropped my rains and taken my feet out of the stirrups while I talked to someone, the dog ran past, he flew one way and I literally flew through the air the other). But anyway - I don't think I'd buy another youngster without knowing it had had the 'perfect start' as such, just to make my life easier! |
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