Before you breed

By Jennifer Kunz, AnimalForum.com staff

Most horse people have dreamed of adorable foals frolicking in their pasture at one time or another. Foals are exceptionally cute, and the idea of having home grown babies to ride is a wonderful thought for many of us. But there are many things to consider before breeding your mare, including her suitability to reproduce, her health and your ability to take on the tremendous responsibility of caring for the mother-to-be and then her newborn foal.

Mares have one of the lowest average conception/birth rates of any domestic species (around 60-70 percent). So it's quite possible that considerable time, effort and money will be needed to ensure your mare gets pregnant. Potential breeders should keep in mind that the financial commitment involves more than just paying a stud fee. There are considerable requirements in looking after a pregnant mare, and even more once the foal has been born. Vaccination schedules must be adhered to, feeding monitored carefully, fences checked for foal safeness, and shelter requirements met. These are just a few things to consider. Another important aspect is training and the possible costs associated with it if a breeder keeps the foal until it's of age.

A frank and honest evaluation of a mare's temperament and conformation should be one of the first things considered. Does she have traits that will be valuable or derogatory if passed on to her foal? Extremely high-strung or poorly conformed horses should not be bred. If the mare has a defect, such as parrot-mouth, or the genetically transmitted disorder HYPP, a breeder might want to consider finding a more suitable broodmare.

If a breeder has decided that a mare is temperamentally suitable for breeding, the next step is to determine her physical breeding health. A veterinarian can perform a breeding soundness exam, which consists of the recording of a thorough and detailed history, an overall physical examination and a detailed examination of the reproductive tract.

A complete history, or as close to one as possible, is essential to provide the veterinarian with the most accurate information to work from. When dealing with your vet, provide him with the mare's age, breeding history if any, previous athletic use and overall health status. Records of previous illnesses or injuries and medications are important (knowledge of steroid or other hormonal treatments is particularly useful). Determination of vaccination and worming status also is a good idea.

A general physical examination is performed to assess the mare's overall health and to identify any problems that might interfere with her ability to conceive, carry, give birth to and raise a healthy foal. Mares that are too fat or too thin might have difficulty conceiving and carrying a foal to term, so overall body condition is important. Severe cases of conditions such as laminitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (heaves) can prevent a mare from physically being able to meet the demands of late pregnancy.

The examination of the reproductive tract can include an assessment of perineal conformation and health; rectal palpation; ultrasound of the cervix, uterus and ovaries; a vaginal examination; a uterine culture and cytology; and a uterine endometrial biopsy. Other diagnostics can also be performed if needed.

If the vet pronounces a mare generally reproductively healthy and able to conceive and carry the foal, the stallion must be selected, heat cycles and optimum breeding time determined, transportation of mare, stallion, or semen arranged, and all of the things that go along with the actual breeding looked after.

Ultimately, we're all aiming for a healthy foal with good conformation and a nice temperament. Taking the time to evaluate the mare properly and plan the breeding, pregnancy and birth carefully are the best way to achieve that healthy baby.