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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 901
 
Location: The South | Okay... So I am definitely breeding one broodmare this spring, and highly considering breeding my other mare. Tank was a broodmare before I started working with her as a VERY green 6 year old. Frankly, I don't have time to commit to training two barrel horses and deal with the conditioning that goes into it. I have an aging finished rodeo horse that I love dearly and I would rather commit all my time to him, his needs and his career. I also have a 2.5 year old daughter, and my husband and I are considering trying for another baby (#2) within the next year, hoping for a May/June baby since I'm a teacher.
The one broodmare if she takes will be due in late March/early April. Her foals are known to be people pleasers, so not worried about this one in terms of handling and haltering later on. Her last foal wasn't halter broke until 3 or 4 months old and was very easy to work with.
The mare I've been using... She has been extremely easy for me to work with and loves working for me. I'm not sure if she'd allow anyone else to work with her and her colt. No clue as to how she handled with her foals before. I don't have to breed this second mare, but she's got great cutting lines. She's very athletic, if a bit small at 14 hands. She's taken to everything I've taught her very well. She's got speed and she's catty as all get out... More than even my rodeo horse. She's patterned on barrels, but not seasoned and finished. She's gentle enough that I can run a pattern and turn around and do leadline with my daughter... I think I've found a good marketable cross... Here's what the foals papers would be: http://goo.gl/eAITFn
The question is... Do I want to try to have two foals in spring if I'm also heavily pregnant? Or just the one and wait a year?
Edited by Mavers 2016-04-25 10:01 AM
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 Midget Lover
   
Location: Kentucky | If you are already pressed for time and busy with things right now, there's no way I'd add to the stress by breeding two mares and dealing with two foals. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| I guess you'd have to look at the pros/cons of both! I've never dealt with foaling but having two could be time consuming and stressful, but keeping your rodeo mount and your last horse you mentioned in shape could be as well. The second option might be best if you feel that she is calm enough to not be top priority/worked with all the time but if she's not finished and you want her to be, that could be a problem as well unless you sent her off to be seasoned or had someone work with her. Both have pros/cons to me. I probably didn't help much but just added the things I'd be considering. I think the second option's better if you want to continue working with her some and trust her enough to be ok while not working her as much as you'd like. Good luck with everything! |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | A LOT of it depends on how much support you get from your husband. Will you be expected to carry the majority of the workload for the horses and kids? If so, that's going to be very challenging. However, if he's just as involved in horses as you are, it will make things a lot easier. |
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| I had my first daughter 10 days after my mare foaled. It wasn't too bad because I didn't breed her back that year but that foal (who is now 3) didn't get handled as much as I would have liked him to but he is just fine now. With that being said, my husband is super supportive as well as my parents so I have a ton of help with my kids and horses.
We just had our second daughter two months ago and I am so glad that we didn't have any mares foaling this spring. We managed to get everyone bred about two weeks before I delivered so that was a relief. I cringe at the thought of hauling a newborn and toddler back and forth to the vet trying to get mares bred.
Depending on how much help you have, it is doable. It all depends on how much you want to take on all at the same time. |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Lol, if you do breed both mares, I can guarantee you will never do it agian. Keep us updated! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 912
Location: Alabama | I would breed them both simply because I don't like weaning and raising foals as singles. They do better in pairs I think. |
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