How to Select a Thoroughbred Breeding Farm

When it comes time to begin breeding your Thoroughbred, or when you are ready to purchase a new foal, finding a good breeding farm is the most important step. Some breeding programs are designed only to bring in money to the owners with no interest in the health, happiness or professional success of the animals. Know what to look for in order to avoid these kind of breeders, and to make sure you are able to produce the perfect foal for your needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Identify qualities that you would like to have in your foal. Knowing exactly what you want as the end result of the breeding process will help you narrow down the breeder pool. Consider not only the breed of horse, but also the general appearance and stature such as height, color of the coat and body proportions.
2. Visit the breeder and take note of the entire property. If the stable and grounds are dirty and poorly maintained, then you should hesitate before you select any horse from that breeder, especially if you're looking for a foal as opposed to a stud.
3. Consider widening your search for a stud Thoroughbred. Many breeding farms will freeze semen and ship it around the world. Though the fee for this service may be high, it may also be well worth it to select this option if you are able to breed your Thoroughbred with a foreign national champion that perfectly complements your horse's temperament and appearance.
4. Research the breeder thoroughly. Check to see whether the breeder has a reputation for inbreeding, producing poor specimens or being a bad business person in general. You can trace the lineage of a champion easily to their breeder, but a bad reputation may be more difficult to sniff out.
5. Inquire at local stables and veterinarians. The staff at such places are usually quite helpful when it comes to recommending good breeders, since they are in touch with them almost on a daily basis.
6. Find out whether the breeder is a member of any professional breeders association. If they are members of any association you should be able to contact that association to ensure that they are still in good standing. Thoroughbred breeders can be member of multiple breeders associations including state associations. You can find a list of state associations at the website of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization (see Resources below).
7. Select a farm only if you are comfortable with the breeding contract that is offered to you. If you are uncomfortable with any of the details, be sure to discuss them with the breeder to see if the issue can be remedied to your satisfaction.
8. Determine whether the horses are genetically tested for any kind of congenital diseases. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder (SCID) is an extremely important test, especially if you are planning to mate your Thoroughbred to an Arabian.

Tips & Warnings

• Be wary of any breeding farm that will not allow you to see either of the foal's parents before purchase.