If you're thinking of breeding your mare for the first time, you’ll be journeying into new territory. It can mean big changes for you, your finances, and your free time. If you’re thinking of breeding your mare, this advice can help you get started.

Choose a Mare Worth Being Bred

One of the most common mistakes that first-time breeders make is to breed a mare who really doesn’t have top qualities that you would want to pass on to a foal. There are so many great horses in this world and so many horses in need of homes, that breeding an “average” mare just for the sake of breeding really isn’t an advisable tactic. If you are going to invest the time and money necessary into breeding a foal, then find a mare who is special and talented enough to make the effort worthwhile.

Build a Large Emergency Fund

Breeding a mare costs far more than just the stud fee, and if you under-budget your breeding funds you may find yourself in a financial pinch before the foal is even born. When deciding how much you need to save for a breeding, remember to factor in the veterinary appointments, checkups, and cost of caring for the foal after he is born.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to have a significant amount of money saved up for any emergencies that might arise. Troublesome pregnancies in mares can become staggeringly expensive before the foal is born, and if a foal is born with issues, your emergency vet fund may quickly run dry. Since even a brief hospital stay for a mare and foal can accumulate bills of multiple thousands of dollars, an emergency fund of $20,000 or more is not unreasonable when breeding a horse.

Use Foal-Safe Facilities

Your average boarding facilities are not set up to keep a foal safe. The design of any existing horse stalls must be carefully evaluated for safety, since protruding nails or gaps in stall boards or stall partitions can result in serious injury for a foal. You will also need to create a pasture that is safe for a foal, which may involve bringing in foal-safe fencing and blocking off particular areas like rivers, ponds, or dense brush. In some cases, it may be easier to move the mare to a breeding facility so that she can foal safely.

Have a Backup Plan for the Foal

When breeding horses, things don’t always go as planned. If the foal doesn’t measure up to your expectations, do you have a plan for him? What if the foal is injured early on, eliminating a riding career? If you need a horse of a certain height, you can breed strategically but can’t guarantee that the foal will grow to that desired height. Having a backup plan for the foal is important to any successful breeding.

When it comes to breeding your mare, preparation is key. Thorough research and enlisting the help of a knowledgeable breeder can help to make breeding your horse a positive experience.

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Original Source: New Beginnings: Tips for First-Time Breeders