Leasing my Mare to be bred

I would appreciate any comments on my situation.

I have been approached by a friend that wants a foal out of my mare and from my son's stallion.

My Mare is from good breeding, not great, but is doing very well in the show ring. The Stallion is from a very good bloodline but he is not proven yet. He has just started competing and is doing very well. Beautiful animal and a head turner. Both are running bred.

We had discussed breeding her to him, just not this soon and pretty sure we would keep the foal as we still have her last, now 3 yrs old.

Our families are friends and I would like to keep it that way. He is looking at this as an inexpensive way to own a horse.

Not sure what is customary. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

well, if you didnt want to breed her yet, then i wouldnt do it. remember the risks that are involved in breeding too. is it worth it?

I'm not opposed to doing it. I just wasn't expecting to this soon.

I'm also curious about what is customary in leasing a horse for breeding and who is responsible for what. I really think all things considered, he would be better off purchasing a foal. If I can provide him with 'this is the common expenses' in this situation, then he may be talked into purchasing. As of now, he is wanting me to do this as a "friend" with a breeding fee only. That is not reasonable but I'm not sure what is.

All comments are welcome.

I would say that charging the cost of feed and vet and during the time of pregnancy and up until the foal is weaned would be very reasonable. They should pay for the stud fee and then would have a "breeding lease" out on your mare. If it was me, that is what I would do. Basically, you dont want to be responsible for any of the added costs...

usually they would be responsible for all costs of the mare from the point where they start to breed her onwards, and the baby through weaning. that includes feed, hay, vet, farrier, dental, and any other costs incurred. traditionally there's also an additional lease fee for use of the mare, as there are risks with breeding, and in some cases insurance may be required in case something happens and the mare is lost during pregnancy or otherwise.

it's really up to you what you decide, but the above is what is standard in my experience.

also with it being an affordable way for your neighbor to own a horse - i don't think that's a good reason for breeding as the costs for breeding are far more than what you could get a horse for these days....just something else to consider. to me that sounds like a lot of risk for your mare when they are just looking for an inexpensive horse. i'm sorry if i'm misunderstanding this - it just seemed from what was said that they weren't so much specifically concerned with bloodlines as an easy way to be able to get a horse of their own. (not saying that your mare isn't worth breeding - it sounds like she definitely is and you're thinking this through which is awesome! :) )

Be sure to put a "In case of death..." agreement in the contract, in case something unforseen would happen. And what about a LFG? If the mare has a still born, will the lease extend another year for another try?

It certainly is not reasonable for him to pay only a breeding fee. Offer him first chance to obtain the foal once it's born, or offer to help him pick out a foal. She is ultimately your mare, and every breeding takes a toll on her body. If you want to keep another foal out of her, then don't allow someone else to breed here.

In a lease-mare situation, the leaser normally pays all expenses incurred in addition to a leasing fee. This includes vet, feed, hay, farrier, stud fee, insurance, and whatever else the mare or foal may require. Advise him that breeding is expensive, and that there are many other ways to obtain a foal for a low cost.

I personally would not do it. If he wants to lease her, advise him that he is responsible for all things involved. Sounds like he's trying to scam you to be honest. The "breeding fee" would be minuscule in comparison to the cost of the breeding itself.