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How young

This is a discussion on How young within the Horse Breeding forums, part of the Keeping and Caring for Horses category; What is the youngest you can safely and healthily breed a mare? I've known people to breed at three-years-old...?...

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Old 02-08-2009, 11:02 AM   #1
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What is the youngest you can safely and healthily breed a mare? I've known people to breed at three-years-old...?

Last edited by Harlee rides horses; 02-08-2009 at 11:04 AM. Reason: wording...i sounded stupid:)
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Old 02-08-2009, 11:54 AM   #2
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quite a few people in europe breed their 2 year olds for them to deliver as a 3 year old, but personally, I wouldn't breed unless the mare was minimally 3, preferably 4. any younger, and they are still babies themselves and needing nutrients to grow and develop on their own-without having to worry about a baby
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Old 02-08-2009, 12:11 PM   #3
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I think the earliest to breed a mare would be at 3 years old and they would foal at 4.
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Old 02-08-2009, 02:02 PM   #4
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I breed at 3 unless I'm showing a three year old then I breed her at 4.
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Old 02-10-2009, 03:50 PM   #5
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My vet had told me that she likes people to wait to breed until the mare is 5 years old. I think that way they are done growing themselves.
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Old 02-10-2009, 03:52 PM   #6
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I would say 5 is a nice age. That way you know how the mare ultimately turns out, plus she is all done growing.
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Old 02-10-2009, 08:28 PM   #7
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It's really up to you and your vet. I know a mare who was bred (completely accidentally, btw) as a yearling and delivered a healthy foal at 2. Both her and the foal are completely fine.
Talk to your vet, preferably if they are a well spoken of reproduction vet and decide. It depends on the mare.
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Old 02-12-2009, 01:25 AM   #8
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I never bred my horses before they turned at least 3, usually pushed for 3 and a half. Breeding is risky business but breeding a horse that isnt even done its growth spurts is bad business. Imagine having a 12 year old kid pregnant (not that it doesn't happen regularly). You can imagine all the physical implications of that one.

My general rule is 3 but really its a horse dependent decision but the older the better (on the young end of the spectrum). Hope it helps.
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Old 02-15-2009, 06:59 PM   #9
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In the wild they would be pregnant pretty much once they come into season wouldn't they?? Not sure exactly how old that is...

But I agree with Cachedawntaxes... the more they've grown and matured, the better :)
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Old 02-23-2009, 10:16 AM   #10
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I would say if you were to breed her at the VERY earliest, 3 years old. But I personally would wait until 5 and foal at 6. That way the mare has more time for her body to fully grow and mature safely. But that's just my opinion.
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