Thoughts on breeding a 13 yo mare for the 1st time?

[Empressive_Award]

Civilized discussion and input appreciated…

I have a 13 yo TB mare that I have owned for 10 + years that I am considering breeding for my next partner. She has never had a foal before. I’m looking to breed her for my next partner (forever home with me) and participate mostly in Eventing and Dressage. My mare is a compact, warmblood like build with a saintly personality and she is incredibly sound and healthy her entire life with me. I have no reason to think she couldn’t successfully carry a foal herself, but I am also considering a recip mare so I can continue to ride and compete her, and not risk losing her during foaling or after. (that’s a back of the mind fear regardless of her age)

Any thoughts or experiences in breeding a mare at this age for the first time versus using a recipe mare?
She’s out of a Damascus line on her dam’s side, and Quiet American line on her sire side. Out of curiosity, who would you breed to that is currently a notable stallion for Eventing and Dressage?

Thanks in advance!

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I would have a full reproductive exam (culture/cytology) with biopsy done before purchasing semen.Just like I would if I were buying her to breed. I wouldn’t expect any particular problems because she is 13.

For a fresh option, I bred my jumper mare to Valentino at Dreamscape Farm for a jumper, but he is a good mover (also a consideration for me, because I like to play around in the dressage ring) and has been on the WBFSH list for eventing sires. Hard to give specific suggestions without a good conformation picture of the mare. What do you want to see improved, if possible?

[khall]

Going recip significantly increases the cost of breeding, so be aware of that. Like TrotTrot said, do a work up on her and make sure she is cycling properly and not dirty. Are you looking to breed now? Getting a bit late in the season if you run into issues.

[JB]

No reason a 13yo maiden can’t carry a healthy foal to term. I agree that culture and cytology is the place to start - not too long before breeding, since if she’s dirty and you need to clean her up, you don’t want her then sitting another 6 months before you breed. I did all that on my 11yo maiden about 1 month before I intended to start breeding (and thankfully she caught on the first try).

[Exechorseluver]

I have two babies and many others are successfully eventing from the stallion Flagmount’s Freedom by Flagmount’s King. Look up website or Facebook page. Good mind, Good bone and size. Amazing jumpers

[krfarms]

I would not hesitate to breed her. It is definitely not too late depending where you live. I live in Colorado and I don’t want my foals before May but you had better get on it quick if that is your decision. If the mare is in work you can still ride her and compete her this summer while she is “barely” in foal, just don’t overdo it. I rode one of my mares until she was 10 months in foal because she was a maiden and it did not bother her. But keep the nutrition up and don’t overdo it. I also rode that same mare when her foal was 3 months old. I just let the foal play in the arena while I got the mare back in shape. Again, don’t overdo it. You don’t want the foal running around chasing the mare. Mine was in a herd situation so I just let the foal choose to be with Mom or with the babysitter, I left the gate open between the pasture and the arena and let him choose. Definitely have the mare checked out but she probably is clean because she is a maiden. The vet can short cycle and get her bred pretty quick once you know what you are working with.

[Majestic_Gaits]

Agree have a mare soundness exam. Go fresh. Both our stallions have gone well with thoroughbred mares. Do you have any pictures? Anything else that needs improvement? Navarone produces awesome all around and some interntaional eventers but Schroeder would also do well too.

[Empressive_Award]

@TrotTrotPumpkn

I would have a full reproductive exam (culture/cytology) with biopsy done before purchasing semen.Just like I would if I were buying her to breed. I wouldn’t expect any particular problems because she is 13.

For a fresh option, I bred my jumper mare to Valentino at Dreamscape Farm for a jumper, but he is a good mover (also a consideration for me, because I like to play around in the dressage ring) and has been on the WBFSH list for eventing sires. Hard to give specific suggestions without a good conformation picture of the mare. What do you want to see improved, if possible?

Overall, She is a compact, proportionately built mare. Im looking to improve upon her canter/gallop, and a little more power from the hind end. I will have to take a new conformation shot and post for opinions. she’s not perfect, but she’s perfect for me and her temperament is amazing! She doesnt look or act like a “typical” TB at all! I get so much feedback from strangers and trainers “That’s a TB?! No Way!”

[Empressive_Award]

@krfarms

I would not hesitate to breed her. It is definitely not too late depending where you live. I live in Colorado and I don’t want my foals before May but you had better get on it quick if that is your decision. If the mare is in work you can still ride her and compete her this summer while she is “barely” in foal, just don’t overdo it. I rode one of my mares until she was 10 months in foal because she was a maiden and it did not bother her. But keep the nutrition up and don’t overdo it. I also rode that same mare when her foal was 3 months old. I just let the foal play in the arena while I got the mare back in shape. Again, don’t overdo it. You don’t want the foal running around chasing the mare. Mine was in a herd situation so I just let the foal choose to be with Mom or with the babysitter, I left the gate open between the pasture and the arena and let him choose. Definitely have the mare checked out but she probably is clean because she is a maiden. The vet can short cycle and get her bred pretty quick once you know what you are working with.

This is also my consideration as I would like to keep riding her and lightly competing in dressage if I breed her and dont use a recip. Im on the east coast and its the end of breeding season here, so this will likely happen next year, and she herself was an end of May baby. I’d prefer a late spring foal, but I would seriously have to jump on the exam and effort to get her in foal in basically a month, and I’ve only just started to look into this. Lots of decisions in a short window of time! Thanks for your input!

My other consideration is I board, and would transfer her to an appropriate setup to foal, be turned out with her foal and other broodmares until weaning, and then would return her to my original barn while keeping the foal in a small herd to spend time growing up properly. So there’s that extra $$ consideration too!

[Empressive_Award]

@Majestic Gaits

Agree have a mare soundness exam. Go fresh. Both our stallions have gone well with thoroughbred mares. Do you have any pictures? Anything else that needs improvement? Navarone produces awesome all around and some interntaional eventers but Schroeder would also do well too.

I will try to take some pictures soon and post. I’m looking to improve upon her canter/gallop… basically for a little more “power” in the hind end, which I think will naturally improve everything else (jump, etc). She’s very compact, proportionate, and agile in the jumper ring and although not a 10 mover to be honest, she is lovely, steady, tries her heart out. Breeding for a foal with a more powerful hind end, but with her temperament and personality is my goal. It would be a HUGE plus if it was a filly too!! Im super partial to mares, but regardless a healthy foal and a healthy mare post-delivery is all I really care about.

[ElementFarm]

I bred my 14yo maiden a few years ago. She was ‘dirty’ but once we cleaned her up, no issues, and she caught on the first try. (sadly I tried multiple attempts to breed her again this year, at age 17, and she didn’t take.)
But I agree with other posters, get her a repro exam, pick a stallion that ships fresh, and start early in the season in case it takes multiple attempts.

Is your mare registered and do you want to register the foal with a particular WB registry? that will somewhat drive your choices.

I’ve bred two mares to Balou du Rouet son, Bliss, and all the BdR sons seem to improve power and jump. I’m very happy with those two foals (now 2yo). You could also check out the top eventing sires and jumping sires, and pick one of those that complements your mare.

[Tory]

After a full breeding exam with uterine biopsy I bred my 15 yr old maiden mare and she took on the first try.

13 is really not that old as long as everything checks out okay.