[DuPlessis14]

I've got a Section D Mare, and I'm wondering what is the best/most decent age to put her into foal?
The reason I'm asking is, she looks after our yearling, and protects her and she would make an amazing mum by the way she acts around out yearling. Yes she is only 2 so I wouldn't even think about it for a good few years yet, but I just wanted to know.
I don't like reading the web, only forum's and I think this would be the best place to ask, the web really tells so many different stories, and would prefer to read a few different of people.
Thankyou
 

[roddycm]

Hi, depends entirely on what suits you best... I breed a few horses and I tend to put them to the stallion at 2 and a half and they foal at three and a half, I leave the foals on for 6 months and then finish breaking in the mum's a month after weaning. I did a natural horsemanship course and they said that having a foal helped the mare's grow up and learn about responsibility... mine are mainly polo ponies so after this first foal they may not have another for a few years!  Everyone is different and there is no real right answer although you will always get people who are convinced their way is the only way haha. Fact is, that once they are well developed and of a good size etc (but defo past the age of two) they can have a foal whenever you like...

[DuPlessis14]

Hi
Thankyou for the reply, well thats made me see sense, I will defo think about putting her into foal either soon or before the end of the year, thankyou

[roddycm]

you are very welcome, I am glad that my advice was useful for you keep us posted!!

[smudger]

My mare was bred as a 3 year old before she was broken herself (not by me) so not unusual. Can't remember if foal was born as a 3 yo or when she was 4.  I'd want to be sure she was well grown herself otherwise she'll give more to foal at her expense. Better than getting fat for 3 years! And if she has good temperment then definetely something I would consider.

[Rosemary]

http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/needtobreed

[mowhaugh]

Personally, i would not put a native breed pony in foal at such a young age, as they are slower to mature physically than other breeds/types such as the polo ponies mentioned above - she will still have plenty of growing to do herself.

[sabrina]

Before you even think of putting your mare in foal do you have a long term plan . Selling youngstock just now is almost impossible. People want a ready to ride horse so have you the time and money to rear and bring on a youngster.. Natives are slow to mature so 2 is too young. Do you have the knowledge to care for an in foal mare. it is possible to buy a yearling cheaper than you can breed one at the moment.

[ellied]

Earliest I've ever done with a native was 4, they aren't as fast developing as warmblooded breeds and growing and feeding a foal is an 18 month to 2 year long job that can seriously affect any mare let alone a very young one.  They are also not always mature enough to foal easily and do the mothering full time so you can be putting problems for yourself in the way one way or the other, if not both.  Also heard of back problems in a youngster served too soon, I wouldn't back a 2yo with a human weight on let alone that of a stallion..

Lots of folk will tell you otherwise, it's a choice you make.  Not one I'd make for at least 2 years personally, as already said you can buy a yearling cheaper than the cost of breeding a decent saleable/usable foal and rearing it, you can probably actually buy a ready to back 4yo for the same money at the moment and one you can see the conformation and gender and colour of unlike the prospective foal..  It's not a good time to be a native breeder 

[Steph Hen]

3 is what most cob breeders used when I had horses. They have the foal in their 4th summer.
But as has been said, there are so many going for nothing, or a couple of hundred pounds, my mum was given a beautiful section c mare last month. Plan to keep the baby for at least five years, till its riding well. Work out how much it'll cost over that time, including plenty of shoeing (even if it doesn't need shoes, people want a horse that's experienced in everything.) add 20 percent contingency and £600 emergency vet bills, for the five years. I know it's a hobby, but horses are a hole in the ground when it comes to cash and its worth being realistic before you commit to a project on this scale, but best of luck to you, I'm sure you'll put more time and care into it than many breeders do.

[sabrina]

Maybe sound like we are trying to put you off but there is something to be said about breeding a foal to rear and bring on for yourself. first of  all you will know it has been fed and wormed to give it the best start in life. People who take short cuts on this just pass on problems to some poor soul who buys their foal ,youngster. Long term worm damage is a killer. Then you have a bond of trust right from day one, that is worth more than I can say. The biggest mistake I ever made was to buy a 5 year old from Ireland who turned out to be so screwed up that I spent 18 months retraining him, never again. You will know that your youngster has not been badly treated or brought on too fast and been left with mental damage. Its a slow process but very rewarding if you are breeding your future horse.

[shygirl]

she should be at least 3.
foals are selling for rock bottom prices so if i was you id wait 5 yrs at least and train her and enjoy her first.

[moony]

We have highlands and try to put ours in foal at 3 if we deem them mature enough, sometimes not until they are 5. However we are easing off at the moment as we have enough of our own and while there is still a market for highlands it is slowing down. Works out a lot cheaper, particularly with the Welsh cob/pony market which is saturated beyond belief at present to buy a youngster and at least then you can choose what you are getting.

[honeyend]

This will give you an idea of the market, http://horsegossip.proboards.com/board/49/mountain-moorland-large-breeds-sale
Unless you thought it was going to be gobsmackingly good I would not put a welsh in foal.

[Daisys Mum]

Just hijacking this thread a little, I have a section A mare who was successfully shown when younger and is now about 13 is this too old to have a first ( and only) foal. Foal would not be for sale but I really enjoyed the handling and showing of Beth so would really like to do it again especially as I have resigned myself to remaining on the ground.