How to Breed a Horse

There are many considerations to keep in mind before you breed a horse, including your horse's disposition, breed, and conformation, and intended use of the foal. Follow these steps when considering breeding your mare.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide why you want to breed your horse. What will be the intended use of the foal? Do you want a trail, pleasure or performance horse? You may want to breed your horse with a stud that excels in one specific area.
2. Determine your horse's breeding. Is she bred to work cattle? Is she a western pleasure horse? If you want to pass on your horse's natural abilities, breed her to a horse that does the same type of work.
3. Consider size. Do you want a foal that is bigger or smaller than your mare? Breed your mare to a stud that has a chance of giving you the size of foal you want.
4. Consider height. Is your mare a good height for the activities you plan to pursue? A horse that is too short or too tall will not be good for certain activities. Consider a stud that will offset the size of your mare. If she's short and you want a taller foal, breed her to a taller stud.
5. Consider your mare's traits. Does she have a back that is too long or a neck that is too short? Find a stud with the ideal or opposite traits to offset those of your mare.
6. Understand your mare's personality. Is she hot, sensitive and spooky, or is she calm and laid back? If you like the personality traits she has, breed her to a stud with the same characteristics; otherwise, find a stud that has the personality traits you're seeking.
7. Decide if you want to show or compete. If so, will the horse have to be registered as a specific breed, or can you have an unregistered horse? The breeding, bloodlines and registration of the stud may be very important. Otherwise, you may want to consider breeding to a horse of a different breed to give you the qualities you desire.
8. Determine how the horse will be bred. Will she stay at the stud's barn for a certain amount of time, during which she'll be impregnated and foaled out? Or will she come home directly after the breeding?
9. Determine if you want a live coverage - that is, will the stud actually mount the mare, or will the mare be artificially inseminated?
10. Determine payment for the stud fee if the mare does not conceive or slips (spontaneously aborts) the foal during pregnancy.
11. Determine where the foal will be born. Do you have protection for the mare in bad or cold weather? A foaling stall (an extra-large stall) is best for mare and foal.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to the stud's owner or the person taking care of the stud. Ask what qualities the stud has and what his talents, personality and traits are. Ask what types of foals the stud throws - is he known for throwing (giving traits of) calm foals (horses that grow up to be quiet and passive), or do his foals tend to be hot (sensitive and spooky)? The owner may not have this information.
• Talk to people who have bred their mares to this stud. Ask them about the foals.
• Watch the stud work if possible. If he's being marketed for a specific event or activity, ask to see a video of the horse in action, or ask what events he has won.
• Breeding your horse to a stud to get certain personality traits, color or conformation is never guaranteed; you can only enhance your chances of getting what you want if you choose carefully.
• Artificial insemination with some breed registrations is cause for concern. Check with the breed registry foundation to make sure the foal can be registered if artificial insemination is involved, and find out what special requirements or restrictions there may be.
• Breeding a horse can be an exciting and wonderful event, but it can also be costly. Make sure you understand the cost of breeding and foaling. Mares in foal and foals require veterinary attention to ensure the safety of both animals.