First time breeding tips.

Ok so I have a TB mare she is 15.2hh (not my rescue one) and I have decided that she is the one I am going to breed from. She is perfect in everyway, well in my eyes haha. But a lot of people said she would be a fine horse for breeding, temperment and conformation wise. Now this will be my first time breeding so I am going to do a good 6 months research and get a vet to help me out a lot along the way obviously. And please excuse any silly questions, as I said I am new to this. Noone jump down my throat about it being easier to get a foal on the ground please, I have thought about it a lot and I have decide I would rather breed my own this time.
Anyway, I am planning on breeding to a clyde stallion. Is it possible for a stallion to be to big for a mare? In the sense the foal will be too big and cause complications? My mare has a very big barrel and apparently looks like she's foaled in the past but actualy hasnt. There is a stallion im absolutely in love with but he is 17hh, would this be an issue? I am 6foot and would really love to get a 16hh+ horse out of this.

Also what scans would you get done prior to breeding? I want to get her checked out and make sure everything is okay with her insides?

Anyother futher info I would need would be much appreciated :) I would like to speak to the vet with a bit of knowledge haha

            

Would you be breeding live cover or AI? Mares can handle foals that get big, they usually just grow fast after they are born. My only concern would be the weight of a draft on a shorter, slimmer mare during live cover.
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I agree ^^^^, Breeding my 14.1 mare to a 15.1-15.2 stallion was enough to throw her outta whack (which im sure isn't always the case). Some stallions are super gentle while others are not lol, definitely something you should look into.

            

I would be planning live cover. I hadnt thought of that side of it! I know the 17hh stallion I like has covered a few 14.2hh QH mares and according to what I've read and heard about him he is gentle. But I will definetly think about what you have said, my mare is very loved and I want everything to be as comfortable as possible for her. :)

            

Can I ask what the goal is with this breeding?

            

            

To get a nice pleasure horse. Maybe even eventer if I ever get serious about eventing again. Thanks for the info Sunny

            

hmmm I think you need to think about this abit more. Alot of people really want to breed their horses because that horse is special to them. But I can't understand why you can't go buy a foal or adopt a foal looking for a forever home, they need homes and love too. I only agree with breeding for such bloodlines, for how to explain this um, making the horses build, body, confo and everything better etc. covering a thouroughbred with a clyde doesnt sound like a very good plan im sorry, I just can't agree with this. I think you should have alot more thoughts about this first.
Nothing I say is going to change your mind but If you do still go through with it, I wish everything well for both the foal, mare and you =].
My friends little dog got covered by a stray that was massive I think he was a um dane maybe? I can't remember what she told me I just remember he was a big dog and 2 out of 4 of the puppies died, the other two were okay though and grew up happily and lived good lives. Hopefully that doesnt happen often in horses. Good luck! :)
Theres so much to do with breeding, maybe you could go to a stud farm and ask them some questions, they could possibly help you and give you some advice.

            

Clydie x TBs are an amazing mix and are very popular for eventing. I have also been told that foals do not grow past what a mares body will allow. I totaly agree with what you are saying (and have done that 2 times before), but shouldn't responsible owners be allowed to experience breeding a foal? Not just the people with billion dollar imported horses? Its not like I am going to breed a horribly conformed mare and stallion, she has fantastic conformation and would honestly produce an amazing foal with the right stallion. I am still not definent about breeding her but I know if I go down the path of having a youngster, it will be by breeding and not buying one already on the ground.

            

for the most part yes, mares have no problem with foals being to large, but it can and does happen that foals are to large to be born and you either loose both the mare and foal, or the foal has to be cut out of the mare in pieces... Or there are cases of dystocia.. which is anything from too large a foal, to malpresentation, to any other foaling complications.

Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable breeding to a stallion that was much larger and of a different "type." Breeding to a larger stallion of the same "type" isn't as much of a big deal imo.