Can I get your honest opinion, no matter what it is?

Hi guys, looking for an outsider's opinion here.

Call it horse female hormones or what have you. Perhaps it's all the beautiful pictures of all the beautiful babies, or the slow tick of time passing... but here it is.

I want to breed Teeka. I've had her since she was a yearling and she's now 15. She's my baby and I adore her so much. Now, I read fugly blog and I know what she thinks of backyard breeders and I don't want to be that. If I did breed her, it would be to keep the baby. I guess I see her getting older (not old, not yet, but someday she will be) and I can't stand the thought of losing her without ever having a Teeka baby. She's got good breeding, and I'd be very careful about picking a stud with qualities I wanted and such. I'm also quite out of practice when it comes to foals and I'm a bit nervous.

So, what does everyone think? Am I crazy? Should I just let things be? Am I thinking of this for all the wrong reasons? If I stop at one, is it such a bad thing? I want honesty here. If you think I'm being selfish, please tell me. My fiance spoils me rotten and all he says is "if you want to, we will."

As a maiden mare at 15 you may want to get a vet check to confirm that she is ok to breed, older maidens are not quite so stretchable and flexible when it comes time for birth. As far as your reasons for breeding since you've kept your horse for many years and are not some flighty "want something cute and new" every other week type, and you've obviously put some thought into needing a stallion that would complement your mare and be stronger in her weaker areas, you're on the right path. There are a lot of risks and things to consider, but also a bunch of rewards especially as your mare is getting older. True you could buy a foal much cheaper but I do know where you're coming from on wanting a little piece of your horse to live on.

The plan, as it were, would be to do everything by the book, lots of vet visits, lots of research, the whole thing. As for being a spur of the moment/flighty type, I'm about the absolute opposite. I've had Teeka for 14 years and had Jewel for 10, and would still have her had her health not finally given out on her two years ago. Other than that, I've never owned another horse. I know I could buy a horse cheaper, but you're right, that's not the point. Oh boy. My head is spinning.

too easy Wendy.......if Teeka is physically GOOD TO GO......then my god woman why would you not.

Because I'm a worrier, my brain would tell me what if things went wrong and something happened to Teeka. She's got 10-15 more years, maybe more and I (if it were my mare) would feel so guilty if that were to be cut short. I know that the chances of something that extreme happening are small but it's just something else to consider. Is it riskier for an older madien mare to carry and deliver a foal?

SexyDexy wrote:

Because I'm a worrier, my brain would tell me what if things went wrong and something happened to Teeka. She's got 10-15 more years, maybe more and I (if it were my mare) would feel so guilty if that were to be cut short. I know that the chances of something that extreme happening are small but it's just something else to consider. Is it riskier for an older madien mare to carry and deliver a foal?

Hey Joan, I'm a worrier too, and that's the only reason I would not. I'm right there with you SD, I'd be worried about everything. But I also worry that if I worry too much I'll never get to have a Teeka baby, and therefore no one to carry Teeka's special something on for me once she's gone.

I just asked my parents for their opinion. At first they said, "Your horse, your money, your choice" but when I told them I wanted a real opinion, the only thing I got was my mom said "well it would be awfully nice to have a baby around." lol.

You say you are going to do everything by the book. I get that! I'm with LB on this. Get the vet out. Do a full vet check and make sure she is breeding sound. If you are as serious as you say you are then I'm sure that you had/have/or are starting to get a stallion in mind. Make sure his attributes compliment your mare! I would ultra sound to make sure the pregnancy caught if it were me. Wasted time and money is not something that I enjoy in the breeding world.
That all being said nature is an amazing thing. Worrying and fretting and picking at her will not help either of you. So if you do decide to breed her make sure the duration of the pregnancy will be something you can enjoy. Anticipation, wonderment, etc. If not you will worry yourself for no reason. And in the end would that be worth it?

She is a cute little mare and normally I would say stay away from sentimental breeding but if you are serious about keeping the foal then I say go for it! Just be very smart in your choices

Thanks for your opinions, mountaincowgirl, I agree with everything you said. I am generally against sentimental breeding too, and trust me, if there were any chance of passing along some negative quality, I wouldn't do it. That's why I never even considered breeding my old horse, Jewel. She was too unhealthy with her breathing problems. But Teeka is wonderfully healthy, always has been. She's in great shape, she has qualities I love and want her to pass along.

She's a bred halter pony and her gait is her weak point, so if I found a stud who is above all, a good mover, I'd be happy. I only want a foal to keep it, I'm not deluded that I'm going to make money breeding my pony, hahaha don't worry.

As for trying not to worry, well, I worry anyway, it's just what I do, but I might be able to try to worry less. ;)

what I wanted to say..Lb said it to a T yes there is way to many backyard breeders out there ..it gets me mad when I look one Kijiji as everyone knows I'm looking ...3 yr old for sale in foal..not trained ..cutting back on herd....MAKES ME GRINGE !!!!! anyway when we've owned a horse for that long there is that special quality in our horse we wish we could keep..we know your intention of keeping this foal so good luck :)

If you plan on keeping the foal then I don't see anything wrong with you breeding Teeka, as long as you agree to post LOTS OF PICS ;). It sounds like your well aware of the risks involved.

I asked a question simular to this one another fourm. Everyone who responded said something about "backyard Breeders". That seems to be a HUGE pet peeve of alot of people. It's deffintly one of mine. But if you have Teeka vet checked first, and your aware that the foal might not turn out like you want it too, but your still willing to keep it, then I say Go ahead and breed her. Just be aware of all the risks.

I am well aware of the risks, having seen the whole process many, many times. I've seen much more good than bad though. More rewards than disappointments. I have no expectations at all about the foal, therefore eliminating any chance of the foal "not turning out the way I like". I'm not breeding for a certain size or colour or sex. It's more passing along a name and the genetics that I care about, and only for my own purposes. I love Teeka and have always wanted to experience having a foal to really call my own. As well, although technically she is in my back yard, I'm not planning on breeding her every year with no regard for the quality of foal I would be producing, then clogging up Kijiji with foals. Like I said, Teeka has a good pedigree and I'd be sure of finding a good stud. And I'd be stopping at one, and keeping that one, which isn't what the infamous "backyard breeder" does.

I'll admit, I've pretty well talked myself into it. Now for some research, vet visits and searching for a stud I like.

And of course, I promise to post LOTS of pictures, in the event that I go through with it and everything goes well.

So in the meantime, anyone have any stud suggestions for a POA mare? :D hahaha

As to what jewels said, I feel they might have went over board on what was said.

As to know my opinon on breeding, I just posted on Mcowgirls post.

I'm not looking for anyone to breed or not breed on what I say.
Everyone has their own mind.
I just post what I plan on doing or how I deal with breeding.

So I just found the, er, other board with the post that Jewels made and read through it. I mean, they all make good points, but MSF, I'm with you. So long as I'm not planning on breeding Teeka every spring to the cheapest stallion around and sell the babies, then I don't think I should be called a backyard breeder. (not that I was, don't get me wrong!) I think responsibility is key. Know your horse and know the possibilities a stallion could produce, know the procedures and risks, know the expenses and the options. If you still want to go through with it, your horse, your choice. But be responsible. Above all, be responsible. Jewels -- you took that all very well, lol, but like I believe you said, you asked for opinions. So did I, and I was ready for anything.

So I guess the word of the day is responsibility.