Breeding a horse to produce a pony?

[Pony2000]

I am looking to breed my 6 year old Irish TB mare to a pony in the hopes to produce a large or medium hunter pony.

The mare is a slight 15.3 hands, she was out of maiden mare who also is 15.3. The sire is 16.2 and a much heavier built Irish TB. Everything I have read states if I want to guarantee I will get a pony, then breed to a section A welsh no larger than 12.3 hands.

I am just in the researching phase, but would love some insight. Is there health concerns breeding to a horse with such a size difference? And any suggestions on stallions would be great too?

[Blume_Farm]

I bred my 16.1-2ish hand hanoverian mare to section A welsh stallion BF Oliver Twist. What resulted is a fantastic large pony that my friend competes. They are moving up to third level later this year (once changes are more confirmed). They have placed in the top ribbons every show they have competed training-second level in Region 1 which is a fairly competitive region…against some really nice full sized warmbloods.

He has a super mind, very willing, great gaits and super ability to collect and do lateral movements. Extended gaits are a little harder for him. He is very well conformed, has been barefoot his whole life (wears easyboots on the trail) and generally has been everything I was hoping for in the breeding (except being a filly:))

I am not a jumper or hunter breeder. However, we have jumped his a little here and there. Really nice form. I am sure if we worked on it he would excel at hunters (and be worth a ton more $$) but alas he is a dressage pony.

[Dressage_Diva333]

I’ve done the Sec A stallion on horse mare cross several times, with good success. I would personally stick with an A, you might get away with a small B (without size in the pedigree), but it would be risky.

[Daventry]

You definitely won’t have a chance at producing a medium, your goal will definitely to produce a large. A purebred Section A stallion will give you the best bet, or a smaller Section B with no hidden height in their background and/or one that doesn’t throw a lot of height will be suitable as well. Our Section B stallion is only 12.2 1/4 HH and he has been successfully bred to mares as tall as 16.1 HH, and so far, they have all stayed under 14.2 HH…but it is always a bit of a gamble

With the larger mares, you definitely do not want to gamble with breeding to a crossbred stallion, as the height of the foal will just be too unpredictable. Breeding to a smaller purebred stallion will be your best bet!

[VirginiaBred]

I agree with Daventry. Take a look at her boy, Penrhyn Sporting Chance!

[horsechick]

Does it work the other way around too? I have a secret dream of breeding an Amazing pony for me to keep.

[horsechick]

sorry to hijack…

[Sakura_Hill_Farm]

We bred a small TB mare to Telynau Falcon, a Section A Welsh stallion who has very elastic movement,for a 2008 foal and were very happy with the result- a large named Sakura Hill Sensei who is in CA making his two young owners very happy in the show ring a well as at home as pony hunter and short stirrup competitor.

[VirginiaBred]

@horsechick

Does it work the other way around too? I have a secret dream of breeding an Amazing pony for me to keep.

Always safer and better to use a larger mare with a smaller stallion when breeding for ponies.

[rideagoldenpony]

[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;6966239]
Always safer and better to use a larger mare with a smaller stallion when breeding for ponies.[/QUOTE]

I completely agree.

[quicksilverponies]

With the size of your mare, I think you would be safe to breed to a smaller Sec. B - I would stick with mostly imported bloodlines as the size is generally a bit smaller and consistent. Best of luck!

[2tempe]

I fantasize about breeding my Oldenburg mare to North Forks Cardi, especially now that he’s a GP horse! I wouldn’t give a second thought to what size it might be - mare is 16.2 hands, so I’m guessing in the 15’s somewhere - but that would be darn perfect for me!!! I want a dressage pony/small horse - In a couple years.

[Samotis]

I bred my 15.3 hand tb mare to Heavenlys Final Revelation. He is a Section A Welsh and about 11 hands.

Here is a picture of the foal. He is a month old today. This was when he was a day old…

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151347318046960&set=pb.584106959.-2207520000.1367590295.&type=3&theater

He certainly got the pony face and is much smaller then her warmblood foals.

My friend thinks top of the line medium but who knows until he gets bigger!

Here is last week…

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151347318046960&set=pb.584106959.-2207520000.1367590295.&type=3&theater

[Samotis]

Forgot to add that the foal is very brave, athletic and fancy!

Moves very “huntery” and is a little explorer. He isn’t afraid of anything and very friendly.

Warning, these pony foals are very cute, resist the urge to bring them in the house! One of my pastures is out the front door and trust me, I have thought about it!

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I know someone who bred 3 mares, one was about 15’1" QH, and the other was 15’2" TB and the third was 16’ warmblood to a medium British Riding Pony, and a large hunter pony and all of the babies ended up being about 14’3.5"-15’1"

So I would do the section A if I wanted to be more certain it would be a pony I guess.

[Daventry]

@TrotTrotPumpkn;6969270

I know someone who bred 3 mares, one was about 15’1" QH, and the other was 15’2" TB and the third was 16’ warmblood to a medium British Riding Pony, and a large hunter pony and all of the babies ended up being about 14’3.5"-15’1"

Yes, because the Mare Owner chose to breed to a crossbred stallions and/or stallions over 12.3 HH. I would never, ever have done those crosses myself, as they definitely would have resulted in producing honies (over 14.2 HH).

There are many, many purebred Section B Welsh pony stallions that have been bred to 15.2+ HH mares that resulted in a finished large pony. The key is breeding to a purebred stallion with no height in their bloodlines, a stallion who doesn’t throw a lot of height, and a mare that isn’t going to throw a lot of height either.

[quicksilverponies]

Exactly what Daventry said! Trottrotpumpkin - GRPs are crossbred ponies - there is not a lot of consistency in size