For many horse owners, the thought of breeding their own foal can be an appealing one.
There are no worries about the youngster's history, it can be trained exactly how the breeder wants it to be and there is always the chance that it could be a future superstar in whatever discipline it has been produced for.
It also gives mares with correct conformation and a sound competition record a chance to pass on their valuable genes, long after they have retired.
Deciding to breed a foal is the easy part; everything that comes after is slightly trickier.
One of the first choices a breeder is required to make is which stallion to use.
With the vast variety of stallions at stud, of all sizes, shapes and talent, choosing the right one can be a challenge.
However, if a few simple rules are kept in mind, it will be much easier to narrow the selection down.
Firstly, it is imperative to recognize that there is only so much influence the stallion can have on the resulting foal.
An outstanding stallion will put a strong stamp on his progeny but even the best won't be able to tidy up poor conformation in the mare or a questionable temperament.
Try not to look at the mare through rose-tinted glasses.
Assess her conformation, personality and ability to do the job she has been bred for and decide whether a stallion will be able to improve on any of those aspects.
If the answer is no then purchasing a foal from a reputable stud, rather than breeding from the mare, might be a better option.
Also, bear in mind that the stallion must complement the mare in question.
It is not enough to select the stallion that is the most handsome or successful.
The best looking stallion in the world paired with a nice mare won't necessarily result in a great foal if they are not complementary types.
For example, if the mare is fine boned and long legged mare and the aim is to breed a youngster with more strength, bone and substance, a breeder should not pair her with a leggy, refined stallion, whatever his show record or progeny success rate.
They would simply not get the result that they were after.
Once the mare owner has a shortlist of stallions that they think would be suitable, they should try to visit as many of them as possible.
This is the best way of gauging the stallion's temperament and conformation.
Some yards will present the stallion both in-hand and under saddle, including over fences if appropriate, which can give an even better idea of the horse's talent and rideablity.
Sometimes this may not be practical, especially if the stallion is based across the country or overseas.
In these cases, the owner must make an informed decision, based on still photographs, video and biographical and pedigree information.
Testimonials and references might also be available from previous customers.
The most important thing of all is to take plenty of time to choose the stallion carefully and for the right reasons.
Bringing another horse into the world is a huge responsibility.
It is up to the owner to produce a foal that will find a good home should it ever need to be sold.
Its future will be infinitely more secure if it is the product of a quality mare and stallion as it will be more likely to have solid conformation, a trainable temperament and be physically capable of doing whatever is asked of it.
There are no worries about the youngster's history, it can be trained exactly how the breeder wants it to be and there is always the chance that it could be a future superstar in whatever discipline it has been produced for.
It also gives mares with correct conformation and a sound competition record a chance to pass on their valuable genes, long after they have retired.
Deciding to breed a foal is the easy part; everything that comes after is slightly trickier.
One of the first choices a breeder is required to make is which stallion to use.
With the vast variety of stallions at stud, of all sizes, shapes and talent, choosing the right one can be a challenge.
However, if a few simple rules are kept in mind, it will be much easier to narrow the selection down.
Firstly, it is imperative to recognize that there is only so much influence the stallion can have on the resulting foal.
An outstanding stallion will put a strong stamp on his progeny but even the best won't be able to tidy up poor conformation in the mare or a questionable temperament.
Try not to look at the mare through rose-tinted glasses.
Assess her conformation, personality and ability to do the job she has been bred for and decide whether a stallion will be able to improve on any of those aspects.
If the answer is no then purchasing a foal from a reputable stud, rather than breeding from the mare, might be a better option.
Also, bear in mind that the stallion must complement the mare in question.
It is not enough to select the stallion that is the most handsome or successful.
The best looking stallion in the world paired with a nice mare won't necessarily result in a great foal if they are not complementary types.
For example, if the mare is fine boned and long legged mare and the aim is to breed a youngster with more strength, bone and substance, a breeder should not pair her with a leggy, refined stallion, whatever his show record or progeny success rate.
They would simply not get the result that they were after.
Once the mare owner has a shortlist of stallions that they think would be suitable, they should try to visit as many of them as possible.
This is the best way of gauging the stallion's temperament and conformation.
Some yards will present the stallion both in-hand and under saddle, including over fences if appropriate, which can give an even better idea of the horse's talent and rideablity.
Sometimes this may not be practical, especially if the stallion is based across the country or overseas.
In these cases, the owner must make an informed decision, based on still photographs, video and biographical and pedigree information.
Testimonials and references might also be available from previous customers.
The most important thing of all is to take plenty of time to choose the stallion carefully and for the right reasons.
Bringing another horse into the world is a huge responsibility.
It is up to the owner to produce a foal that will find a good home should it ever need to be sold.
Its future will be infinitely more secure if it is the product of a quality mare and stallion as it will be more likely to have solid conformation, a trainable temperament and be physically capable of doing whatever is asked of it.
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