At what age do you prefer to do ET?

[RedmondDressage]

I bought a custom foal who was born in 2019 and I lucked out and got a gorgeous filly. She has stellar bloodlines and won site champion at her Hanoverian inspection - the judges had no critical feedback for her. She is absolutely everything I could have hoped for, so I can’t help but consider doing an ET foal with her. I will definitely do it at some point, but I’m tossing around the idea of doing it in the spring of her 2 or 3 y.o. year, before she;s started under saddle.

At what age do those of you here prefer to do ET with a young mare? Do you know well enough what you have at 2 to make stallion decisions or do you prefer to wait until they’re a bit older?

[ThistleDewDressage]

My understanding is that the quality of cycles of a 2 yo are not ideal. I bred my 3yo for an ET due this year. She is coming 4 and the baby is due in a few weeks.

[joiedevie99]

My sample size isn’t large, but I don’t know any breeders who consider it at 2. Most do it at 3, or early spring 4 y/o year before they come back into work after the winter off.

[TMares]

No younger than 4

[RedmondDressage]

@TMares

No younger than 4

Curious as to your reasoning for waiting until 4?

[RedmondDressage]

@joiedevie99

My sample size isn’t large, but I don’t know any breeders who consider it at 2. Most do it at 3, or early spring 4 y/o year before they come back into work after the winter off.

That was kind of my inclination - to wait until 3, but someone mentioned doing it at 2 so I was curious what others thought. Thank you for the input!

[TMares]

@RedmondDressage

Curious as to your reasoning for waiting until 4?

Personal preference- I like the mare to be just a little more grown. Three just still feels like a baby.

https://thehorse.com/120630/appropriate-breeding-age/

[RedmondDressage]

@TMares

Personal preference- I like the mare to be just a little more grown. Three just still feels like a baby.

https://thehorse.com/120630/appropriate-breeding-age/

I wouldn’t be breeding this mare to carry though, this would be for ET.

[TMares]

@RedmondDressage

I wouldn’t be breeding this mare to carry though, this would be for ET.

I am very well aware of the nature of your question. I mean you can do ET on a yearling if you want to. I answered and said why.

[RedmondDressage]

@TMares

I am very well aware of the nature of your question. I mean you can do ET on a yearling if you want to. I answered and said why.

The article you linked primarily focused on breeding to carry so it wasn’t clear that you understood.