The Satisfaction in Breeding and Rearing
Breeding your own mare and raising a foal can be an extremely rewarding experience. The bond you create with both the mare and her offspring is truly special. However, it’s essential to understand that the process is also time-consuming, labor-intensive, and can be expensive.
Considerations Before Taking on This Project
Before embarking on such a venture, there are a few points that need serious consideration. These include:
- The financial investment required for the breeding process, necessary facilities, and ongoing care of the mare and foal
- The necessary time commitment for consistent care, training, and general supervision
- The understanding that the expenses involved in breeding and rearing may outweigh the possible profits or value of the offspring produced
It’s crucial to be well-informed and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead when breeding and raising a mare and foal.
Basic Knowledge for a Successful Breeding Journey
Having a comprehensive understanding of the breeding and rearing process is essential for success. Some key areas for gaining knowledge include:
The Mare’s Health and Breeding Cycle
A mare’s general health and well-being play a significant role in the success of breeding and raising a foal. Understanding the mare’s breeding cycle, knowing when she’s in heat, and recognizing any potential fertility issues are crucial to the process.
The Foal’s Development and Early Training
Be prepared to nurture the foal through its various growth stages, from birth to weaning and beyond. Familiarize yourself with basic foal care and early training techniques, such as halter training and leading. This foundation is essential for the foal’s well-being and eventual role as a riding or performance horse.
Appropriate Facilities and Equipment
Having the right facilities and equipment is critical for the health and safety of both the mare and foal. This includes the provision of safe, secure enclosures, suitable shelter, and adequate nutrition. Research and investment in these areas are necessary to ensure the well-being of your mare and foal throughout the breeding process and beyond.
By carefully considering the factors mentioned above, being well-prepared and knowledgeable, and dedicating the necessary time and effort, the journey of breeding and rearing your own mare and foal can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
Starting Your Horse Breeding Journey
Embarking on horse breeding for the first time can be an exciting endeavor. It may be preferable to send the mare to a stud initially, allowing professionals to handle the covering and foaling processes. This way, you can focus on looking after the pregnant mare and raising the foal before taking on the responsibility of foaling the mare at home next time.
Assessing Your Mare’s Suitability for Breeding
The first step in the breeding process is determining if your mare is suitable for breeding. Some vital factors to consider include your mare’s overall health, temperament, and conformation. It is crucial to understand that not all mares are appropriate for breeding, especially those with existing health issues or unsuitable temperaments.
Licensed Stallions and Selecting the Right Match
In the U.K., stallions are licensed, which means that defects related to the stallion are less likely to have a significant impact. However, choosing the right stallion for your mare still requires careful consideration. Some tips for selecting the perfect match include:
Visit Potential Stallions Locally
When selecting a stallion, it’s beneficial to visit and closely examine potential matches that are available locally. Observing the stallions in person allows for a better assessment of their demeanor and physical attributes.
Consider Complementary Traits
Ideally, the stallion should balance any of your mare’s shortcomings. This increases the likelihood of producing a healthy and well-rounded foal.
Evaluate the Stallion’s Offspring
A crucial factor in choosing a stallion is the quality of his previous offspring. Evaluate the healthy and desirable traits of his foals as an indicator of the potential outcome for your own mare’s offspring.
Seeking Further Resources
If finding a suitable local stallion proves challenging, consider consulting resources such as the appropriate Breed Society’s Stud Books, the Hunter Improvement & National Light Horse Breeding Society, or the National Pony Society. Additionally, relevant advertisements in equestrian publications may provide further options for a suitable match.
The Age and Timing for Horse Breeding
When considering breeding your mare, understanding the optimal age and timing for breeding is crucial to ensuring the best outcome for both the mare and the foal.
The Ideal Age for Breeding
While fillies can technically be bred as young as two years old, they are still quite immature at this age. It’s generally recommended to wait until they are four years old, allowing them to foal for the first time at five years old when they are fully mature. Mares can continue breeding well into their twenties, especially if they have a foal each year. However, starting the breeding process for the first time when the mare is over 15 years old can decrease the likelihood of conception.
Timing the Breeding Process
Mares have a regular reproductive cycle called an oestrous cycle, which lasts 2-5 days and recurs every 16 days, resulting in approximately a three-week cycle. However, they usually do not exhibit sexual behavior during the winter months. Mares typically ovulate around 24 hours before the end of their cycle, and this is the optimum time for mating with a stallion.
Selecting the Month for Service
When deciding when to breed your mare, it’s important to consider the well-being of the foal. Ideally, the foal should be born during a time when the weather is mild and the grass is abundant, providing optimal conditions for its growth and development. This typically points to a May birth for the foal. Given that the average gestation period for a mare is 11 months, the ideal month for breeding would be June.
By considering appropriate age and timing factors for your mare’s breeding, you can ensure the most favorable conditions for a successful and healthy foaling experience.
Mare Pregnancy Tests
Knowing whether or not a mare has successfully conceived is critical for her care and for future breeding decisions. There are several methods to diagnose a mare’s pregnancy, each with their optimal timeframes and accuracy.
Ultrasound Scanning for Pregnancy
An ultrasound scanner is a valuable tool that can, in some cases, detect a mare’s pregnancy as early as 12 days after covering. However, veterinarians usually perform this examination around 3-4 weeks after mating because this timing provides highly accurate results. The ultrasound provides a clear visual indication of the embryo, reducing uncertainties.
Manual Examination
A physical examination is another method for detecting pregnancy. A veterinarian can typically determine if a mare is pregnant by six weeks through a manual examination of the mare’s womb, performed via the rectum. While it may sound invasive, this technique is common and safe when carried out by a qualified professional.
Blood and Urine Tests
Blood and urine tests are additional methods to confirm a mare’s pregnancy. Blood tests are typically performed between the 8th and 14th week post-mating, while urine tests could be done from about five months onward. However, these secondary tests might not be as reliable as an ultrasound or manual examination, offering varying levels of accuracy.
By utilizing one or more of these testing methods, owners and veterinarians can collaborate in the mare’s best interest, ensuring she receives appropriate care during her pregnancy journey.
Care of the In-Foal Mare
Looking after a pregnant mare involves a careful balance of daily exercise, nutrition, and creating suitable conditions for foaling. Implementing these elements in the care routine helps maintain the health of both the mare and the developing foal.
Exercise Routine for the Pregnant Mare
Keeping a pregnant mare in good health involves incorporating a certain amount of exercise in her daily routine. A mare can be safely ridden for the first six months of her pregnancy. However, post that period, riding is generally not recommended. In-foal mares can receive ample exercise from being turned out in a field. However, if they need to be stabled for any reason, a gentle walking exercise routine should be implemented.
Last Three Months of Pregnancy
During the final trimester, some mares will show a prominent abdominal enlargement, while others might not have noticeable outward signs. The most telling sign of approaching foaling is swelling of the udder, typically observed around the last six weeks. It is also common for mares to “wax up” and produce a wax-like secretion from the teats in the days leading up to foaling.
These last three months are an essential growth period for the foal, necessitating additional nutritional support. Supplementary feeding, emphasizing a high protein concentrate, is typically required at this stage. Providing plenty of fresh grass aids in maintaining the mare’s health and boosts milk production.
The Final Month Preparations
As the foaling time approaches, make sure to prepare a comfortable, spacious, and well-bedded loose box for the mare to deliver. The box should allow ample room for the mare’s movement and should eliminate the risk of her getting stuck (“casting”). A dimension of five square meters is usually ideal for horses, while smaller boxes might suit ponies.
The box should be well-ventilated, draught-free, and well-lit to ensure visibility. Cleanliness is vital, with the box thoroughly washed and disinfected before bedding is added. A high-quality, clean straw bed is recommended for the foaling box.
Additionally, make arrangements for non-disruptive observation, as limiting interference at these times is beneficial.
Finally, to prevent constipation towards the end of the month, adjust the mare’s diet and include bran mash occasionally.
Foaling Day
On the much-awaited day of foaling, providing the mare with natural conditions can promote a smoother, less troublesome process. The trick is to keep everything calm and less fussy, as foaling is typically a straightforward process.
Experienced Presence During Foaling
However straightforward, foaling can be unpredictable, making it advisable to have an experienced person present. In these scenarios, a well-intentioned but inexperienced attendant might inadvertently cause harm due to a lack of understanding about necessary assistance. Ideally, someone who works on a stud and has experience with foaling mares would be the best person to assist.
Understanding the Foaling Process
Foaling begins with the onset of uterine contractions, known as the first stage of labor. During this phase, the mare might appear to be restless and uncomfortable. She’ll likely move around her box and may even start to sweat. Don’t panic if you notice sporadic uncomfortable bouts in the final weeks of pregnancy. These can often be false alarms triggered by discomfort due to the positioning of the foal inside the womb.
Typically, the first stage of labor varies in duration but tends to range around 3-4 hours. The commencement of the second stage of labor is signaled by the rupture of the outer layer of fetal membranes within the womb, often referred to as “breaking water”. This release of fluid is quickly followed by the appearance of the fetal sac, within which the foal will be born.
Straining often accompanies this stage, and you’ll usually find mares laying down to gain more strength for their straining efforts. Don’t be surprised if the mare frequently changes her position during this process. Getting up and lying back down is common during this critical stage of labor.
The Normal Foaling Presentation
When it comes to a mare giving birth, understanding the regular foaling presentation can significantly help you anticipate what’s to come. It can also give you clues as to when to seek immediate help from a professional, especially when things are not progressing as they should.
Foal’s Position and Birth
Typically, a foal is born with both its forelegs extended and its head resting on the knees. As the mare’s straining intensifies, the first foot becomes visible within the birth sac, followed closely by the second foot. After the feet, the foal’s head should emerge, requiring a substantial effort from the mare. Once the head is out, the chest follows quickly. A final intense push is then needed to get the foal’s hips out.
After this series of strong efforts, the mare might relax, even if the foal’s hind legs are still within her. This respite is natural and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.
Understanding the Duration of the Foaling Process
The second stage of labor in a mare occurs quickly—typically anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes, averaging around 20 minutes. If the mare has been straining for more than 30 minutes and you haven’t seen any emergence (neither a membrane nor a foot), it’s time to call a vet urgently.
Should you have an experienced helper around, they can assist in understanding if there’s an issue. After ensuring their hand is washed, disinfected, and lubricated, they can carefully insert it to feel for inconsistencies in the presentation (such as whether a head and two forefeet can be felt) or to check if the head or feet can be gently repositioned.
Recognizing Foaling Issues in Mares
Though mares typically have an uncomplicated foaling experience, it’s essential to recognize the signs when something isn’t going as planned. Unfortunately, problematic foaling can result in the death of the foal. Understanding the foaling process and seeking assistance promptly when things aren’t progressing as they should can be critical.
Importance of Knowledgeable Assistance
If you’re inexperienced in assisting with foaling, it’s highly recommended to consider sending the mare to a stud to birth or having an experienced stud groom available to supervise the entire process. Expert assistance is vital because anyone attempting to aid in foaling needs to have a thorough understanding of what they are doing. Proper supervision and intervention can make all the difference in ensuring a successful, healthy foaling experience for both the mare and the foal.
Caring for the Foal at Birth
After a foal’s birth, particular attention must be given to its safety, health, and well-being. By understanding the essential steps of postnatal care, you can ensure that you’re creating the best possible environment for the foal’s growth and development.
Ensuring the Foal’s Ability to Breathe
First, make sure the foal is free from the fetal membranes to breathe properly. If it doesn’t start breathing on its own, try to stimulate the lungs by gently slapping its sides or periodically pressing on its hind ribs and belly. A healthy, trouble-free foal should be standing and suckling within half an hour after delivery.
Handling the Umbilical Cord
Often, the umbilical cord breaks naturally during birth or is bitten off by the mare. However, it’s essential not to cut the cord too soon, as doing so could deprive the foal of blood squeezed out from the membranes by womb contraction. If the cord remains attached and proves to be very tough, tie it approximately 5-10cm (2″-4″) from the navel before severing it. To ward off infections such as joint-ill or septicemia, treat the stump with iodine or antibiotic powder. Additionally, dispose of any soiled bedding by burning it and replacing it with new material.
Caring for the Mare and Foal Post-Birth
Allow the mare to bond with and clean the foal, and give her a small feed when she has finished. If the mare doesn’t dry the foal sufficiently, you may need to step in and use a cloth or clean straw to dry it off.
Keep an eye on the mare’s womb contractions. She should expel the fetal membranes soon after foaling; if they haven’t been passed within 24 hours, a vet should be contacted to remove them. Completely removing the membranes is crucial; if any fragments remain, they may lead to infections of the womb with potentially serious consequences. An experienced stud groom should be able to inspect the membranes to determine if a piece is missing.
Care of Mare and Foal After Birth
Providing proper care for a mare and her foal after birth is critical to ensuring their health and well-being. Familiarizing oneself with the appropriate measures and timing can ensure the successful growth and development of a foal, and support the recovery of a mare after foaling.
First Hours Post-Birth
In a regular scenario, a foal should be standing up within two hours of birth and should start suckling within four hours. This is crucial because foals receive no pre-birth antibodies from the mare. The mare’s first milk, referred to as colostrum, is thick and honey-like and is highly concentrated with antibodies. As the foal’s digestive system is only capable of absorbing these antibodies for a short time (8-12 hours) after birth, it must intake the colostrum during this window to gain protection from infections in its early months. If a foal hasn’t suckled by 6-8 hours, it’s necessary to milk the mare and bottle-feed the foal. If the foal doesn’t suckle at all, a vet should administer the colostrum via a stomach tube.
Post-Birth Monitoring and Feeding
Post-birth, both mare and foal should stay in a box for a few days. Depending on the weather, short outings of an hour or two each day can be beneficial. The mare’s diet should still be laxative – rich in green meal with occasional bran mashes.
Protection Against Tetanus
Tetanus can pose a risk to young foals. As a preventive measure, they often receive an injection of tetanus antitoxin during their first week, offering temporary protection. Foals should not be vaccinated until they are three months old.
Four Weeks and Beyond
By the four-week mark, the foal should have started to nibble grass, imitating its mother and learning to consume other feeds when shared with her. Ideally, a “creep feed” — a specially formulated high-protein feed — should be introduced from 3-4 months of age. Gradually transitioning the foal’s diet from milk to solid foods is far superior and helps offset potential weaning setbacks.
For easy handling later on, it’s beneficial to familiarize the foal with being led in a foaling slip (a small head collar) from an early age.
Weaning Foals
The weaning period is a critical stage in a foal’s life, as it transitions from the mare’s milk to solid food. Ensuring a smooth experience with proper techniques and observing both mare and foal’s well-being can make a significant impact on the foal’s long-term development.
When to Wean and Preparing for Weaning
A mare’s milk decreases in quantity and quality after six months, so it’s common to wean foals between six and eight months old. By this time, it’s essential that the foal has been accustomed to a creep feed for a while.
Weaning Techniques and Environments
Ideally, weaning a group of mares and foals together at grass is the best approach, by removing one mare from the group each day and keeping them well away, out of earshot. However, if this isn’t feasible, the alternative is to confine the foal to a box for several days. If another foal can be weaned simultaneously, it provides company, making the experience less traumatic.
Managing the Mare’s Care Post-Weaning
After weaning, the mare’s feed needs to be reduced to help her milk dry up. If she’s still producing large amounts of milk, it might be necessary to milk out a little for a day or two to relieve the pressure. After weaning, closely monitor the mare’s udder for signs of infection, such as mastitis. Symptoms include a hot, painful udder, clots in the milk, loss of appetite, and possibly fever.
Caring for the Weaning Foal’s Needs
To ensure a foal’s happiness during weaning, company from another foal and liberal feeding is crucial. Allow the foal an hour or two of exercise at grass each day, and don’t miss opportunities to handle and lead the youngster whenever possible.
Exercise, good feeding, and shelter (particularly during the first winter) are all crucial factors for giving the foal a strong start in life. Ground lost at this stage may not be easily recovered.
Preparing a Foal for Training
Training a foal, also known as “breaking,” is a process where the horse learns to accept a rider, understand basic controls, and become comfortable with human touch and voice commands. Effective preparation greatly simplifies this task.
Early Lessons and Use of Voice
Regular handling from the beginning, as previously mentioned, forms the essential groundwork for breaking. The power of the human voice cannot be overstated – a foal learns quickly to obey simple commands like “stand”, “walk”, and especially the command “steady”, a versatile term in the equestrian world. The dam can serve as an exceptional teacher by way of example during the initial stages.
Remember, gaining the foal’s trust is fundamental. A fair and deserved correction is quickly grasped and appreciated, whereas harsh treatment can lead to resentment and possibly temperamental issues. This is especially true when teaching “stable manners”.
Teaching Basic Stable Manners and Taming for Grooming
Teach the foal to “move over” and “stand” on command. Moreover, it’s important to accustom the foal to being stroked all over in preparation for grooming, and to have its feet picked up for grooming and shoeing. A padded pole can be useful if the stroking is strongly resisted, but gentle persistence usually proves more effective.
The Importance of a Good Farrier
This is the point when the owner will truly realize the significance of choosing a skilled farrier. The farrier’s role is to trim the foal’s hooves regularly – a task that requires not just expertise, but also a calm demeanor and patience. The right farrier can be seen as a valuable assistant in these early training lessons.
By establishing trust with the foal during these formative stages, future training will be facilitated and the overall character of the adult horse positively molded.
