Introduction
Many people consider breeding their mare. Maybe it’s because they wish to have a cute little foal around the farm. Maybe it’s to have a replica of their favorite horse. Maybe it’s to raise a foal for their child. Maybe it’s to have an income from a horse that is primarily an expense. Perhaps you’ve seen this gorgeous stallion that you know your mare will just fall in love with. Maybe it has always been a dream of yours to raise a foal. Whatever the reason, you should consider all the aspects involved before jumping into this enterprise prematurely.
Have you thought of all the ramifications of having a pregnant mare and a new foal? Are you prepared for the changes in your schedule, your riding time, your stable time and the lack of sleep when the foal’s arrival is imminent? Do you really know what to expect? From the first steps of selecting the perfect stallion to weaning the foal, what will be required of the owner? How should you proceed? And once you have all the information, are you sure you are willing to make the commitment required for a successful foaling and a healthy foal?
This course will help you explore your options throughout the breeding and foaling procedures. Is your mare of the type to be bred? Is she fertile? How do you select a stallion? You need to consider breed, temperament, size, cost and location of the dream horse. The course will help you clarify your goals to choose the best father for your new dream foal. You need to consider the breeding contract and method in which your mare will be bred? How will you know that your mare will be treated well and that you won’t lose your financial outlay? And once you’ve spent the money and the time breeding your mare, how do you know she is pregnant?
After you have a pregnant mare, what next? How long can you continue riding her? What does she need to eat? What vaccinations should she have and when? How will I know she is getting ready to foal? What are ways you can predict the arrival time of your foal?
As the expected day approaches, what do you need to do to get ready? We will cover preparing your foaling stall and the equipment you should have on hand. Then we will take a step-by-step virtual foaling experience, complete with what to do in each hypothetical circumstance.
Finally, when your foal is on the ground, what do you do? How much should you be involved as the foal learns to stand, nurses, and bonds with its mother. What should your expectations be in developing a relationship with this new baby? Then, as your foal matures, new questions arise. When can you turn them out to a paddock or pasture? How do you introduce the mare and foal to the rest of your horses? How soon can you start riding again? What do you do with the foal while you are riding? When should you wean, and how?
All these questions, and more, will be addressed. It would be to your advantage to take the interactive course to ask your specific questions and gain the information as others also ask questions. After you have completed the course you should be able to make an informed decision whether or not to pursue breeding your mare, and feel comfortable that you understand to a better degree what that decision will entail. Are you ready to embark on a life changing experience? Are you ready for the joys of a vicarious motherhood? Are you willing to make a commitment required for a new life in the equine world?
Lessons
Click here to see course syllabus
