Things You'll Need:
- Veterinarian
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Step 1
Test out your mare first. If you don't have enough experience, find a trainer to show your mare. She'll need experience in the discipline she's good at. If she's not show ring material, then make sure she's safe and has a good temperament. If your mare has great bloodlines, you'll need her papers, be able to trace her lineage and what her parents were used for: Dressage, Grand Prix, Roping, Hunters and Jumpers, Western Pleasure. If she's had babies, make sure you know what they've done and what farm or ranch they went to.
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Step 2
Visit your local stallions. Once you've narrowed down what kind of stallion you're looking for, then you can figure out what you can afford. People invest time and money in stallions, so generally they don't keep them as stallions if they don't have the desired traits, including a proven track record as well as a great temperament. If you want a stallion who's offspring you'll use for fun, make sure you don't pay too much for the stud fee. Some stallions are $200 to $500 for frozen semen shipped to your vet, with guarantee with the semen. A western roping stallion's fee can be $1,200 or more. The stud fee for a racing Thoroughbred or Warmblood stallion can be in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Contact your local equine clinic for a list of stallions with their contact information and pedigree.
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Step 3
Research breeding options. If you breed to a Thoroughbred stallion it has to be a live cover, which makes it more expensive. If the semen has to shipped overseas from a European stallion, that will cost more then using a stallion in the US. Most likely, you'll need to take your mare to your veterinary clinic and have her bred there. She may also need to stay at the clinic a few days to make sure there are not any complications. Make sure to ask your vet about these options and others and find out about the costs upfront so you know what the costs will be. Check to see if the clinic holds frozen semen at their clinic for various clients.
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Step 4
Care for your pregnant mare. Your mare may be an easy keeper; she may be able to be outside for most of her pregnancy--depending on the time of year. She may only need to come in when the weather turns too cold or icy, but may prefer to be outside most of the time. If there are complications with her pregnancy, she may need to visit the vet clinic or be on stall rest. Ask your vet what he or she thinks is best. A mare needs some interaction with other horses but she needs to be able to have a healthy, peaceful atmosphere when she's carrying a foal, with as little stress as possible. A mare that is on pasture for most of her pregnancy won't cost much to keep. Make sure you have extra money set aside just in case there are complications with her pregnancy.
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Step 5
List all the possible costs. There are many variables when it comes to horses, so it is difficult to set a budget and stick to it. Make sure you have a wide range of costs for boarding and food, stud fees and foal delivery fees. Talk to your vet clinic about what expenses to expect. And, if you don't have your own trailer, you'll have to pay someone to take her for check ups and visits to the vet clinic.
