Lesson 1: Getting Started
Should I Breed My Mare
The first question you need to ask yourself is: why do I want to breed my mare? The primary reason you should breed your horse is to get a new horse. That may seem simplistic, but the outcome of breeding is another horse. This means that your cute little foal is going to grow up. With that will come all the responsibilities of owning a horse. If you truly want another horse, however, it is easier and less expensive generally to go buy what you want. The only reason you would breed and raise your own would be for the joy you receive for all the hard work and expense you invest.
There are actually more reasons you should not breed your horse. It is definitely more expensive to raise a foal to maturity then buy one. Secondly, when you breed your mare, you don’t know what the outcome will be. Perhaps the foal will be like nothing you envisioned. It also takes a long time to see the fruit of your labors. First you must wait eleven months after your mare has been bred to even see the results of your breeding. Then it takes several years of consistent time involvement to realize the potential of your dream animal. Only if you have the time and patience to give, will your horse turn into the magnificent creature you first dreamed. And at any time while pursuing this dream, your hopes could be dashed by disappointments or tragedies.
However if you have a driving desire to have a foal to raise, you need to consider if your mare is the one to breed. No matter how much you love her, you need to realistically evaluate her qualities.
