Posted 2015-06-12 4:53 PM Subject: Breeding an older mare- not maiden
Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
I have a couple of teenage mares that I am thinking about breeding in the next few years. Both have had 3 foals prior, but have not been re-bred in approximately 7 or so years. Is it difficult to get them to take after a hiatus? (Obviously I know that every horse is different and they will have a pre-breeding exam, etc. done before I try.) Your experience? Thanks!
Posted 2015-06-12 5:27 PM Subject: RE: Breeding an older mare- not maiden
Neat Freak
Posts: 11216 Location: Wonderful Wyoming
RodeoCowgirl4u - 2015-06-12 3:53 PM I have a couple of teenage mares that I am thinking about breeding in the next few years. Both have had 3 foals prior, but have not been re-bred in approximately 7 or so years. Is it difficult to get them to take after a hiatus? (Obviously I know that every horse is different and they will have a pre-breeding exam, etc. done before I try.) Your experience? Thanks!
I don't think you will have any issues as long as everything with them is normal and healthy. We took a chance last spring on our Special Leader and A Classic Dash mares. One is an '03 and the other an '06 I think. They hadn't been bred in years, just pasture pets due to elderly parents etc. Both got in foal. One is pretty late for my liking, meaning she missed her 1st cycle in with the styd, possibly 2. Hoping she has it in the next week and are going to try and short cycle her back after her foal heat.
Posted 2015-06-12 6:35 PM Subject: RE: Breeding an older mare- not maiden
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 428 Location: God's country
I would definitely invest in having a culture done before breeding. I bought a career broodmare and had a culture done, but she had a pretty serious infection the breeding farm couldn't get a handle on soon enough to get her bred this year. Hopefully she is clean now and will try again next year, but it was an expensive journey. A vet can also tell if they are pooling urine or any other issues that might be problematic. Good luck!
Posted 2015-06-12 7:02 PM Subject: RE: Breeding an older mare- not maiden
Elite Veteran
Posts: 871 Location: Bama
I bought a 3yo mare that had a foal at her side :(. She had another foal around age 6yo. This year she is 18yo and took on the first breeding. She was pasture bred so that may have helped. I also bred a maiden 10yo that took first time via pasture breeding. My stallion is 20yo. It can be done lol.
Breeding an older mare- not maiden
