Stallion suggests?

1792 Views 40 Replies 15 Participants Last post by QtrBel, 3 mo ago

Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Hey! So I’m breeding my American warmblood mare, who has done amazingly well in dressage, eventing and hunters, trick training, and worked very well as a pony club mount. My vet is definitely excited about breeding her too lol. Super sound and smart mare around 16.2 and has nice conformation. I am just completely overwhelmed with all the nice studs out there… there’s hundreds! I’m looking to keep the foal as my next riding horse (Even if something goes wrong and the foal can’t ever be ridden I’m keeping it)… honestly I don’t care about breed at all. Hunter type Qh, tb, any type of warmblood, Arabian cross ect… the only breeds I’m saying no too completely are Friesians and Lusitanos as they are known to have health issues and I don’t want to pass that on. I’m looking for something athletic and on the taller side so 16+. something that’s nice to work with and had good personality of course. I don’t care about the color. I’m obsessed with all colors and patterns, but high leg markings are always a bonus for me of course not needed though haha. I have a few studs in mind right now, but wanted to get other peoples opinion. Im looking to spend anything under $2000 on stud fee. Just wondering if anyone had any stallions they love. Thanks!

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Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · #21 · 3 mo ago

ClearDonkey said:
I have personally been following Raven Sky out of M-S Sporthorse, both on Denny Emerson's FB page and their business Facebook page. I really like him. He is a full thoroughbred, unraced, with a lot of potential. He doesn't have an extensive show record being a young horse, but what they've posted makes me see him as a very nice stallion.

He’s gorgeous! He looks like a nice fit with my girl… she does have a lot of tb in her so it would fit well. I’m not too worried about a show record when they have a good mind and good conformation! Thank you! my list of suitable studs is growing!

Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · #22 · 3 mo ago

Fleetfoot_Biotype said:
XD What more could a horse lover want? I already have both the Appaloosa and the Colorado Ranger to meet my lover of LP coloring needs as a western rider, but ****! Knabstruppers give me serious rider-envy, it's on my bucket list to ride one at least once.

Good lord, he's drop dead gorgeous! I think your mare would be well served by taking him as her boyfriend, lol. Unrelated to other Knabstrupper stallions in the US and he's a few spot? You could start your own Knapstrupper dynasty with his and your mare's foals, lol.

XD I never met a buckskin that I didn't like. All things considered, Goldmaker's stud fee is fairly modest for a stud of his quality, although it does appear to be on the higher end of your budget.

At the end of the day, you could always do eeny meeny miny moe. Lol, okay okay- Not the best way to choose. But it's something! If all the studs are of similar quality, put all their names in a hat and draw one out?

Lucky!Ive always loved the spotty bums lol. Never got the chance to own any but they always make me smile seeing! I hope you do get to ride one at some point!

I think so too, I've watched a lot of videos on him and watched him through his recent training this past year and he seems like a such a good boy. he can jump and drive as well. He does well with showing too...

Me neither! I agree with Goldmaker's fee, it is more than fair with the quality of horse he is, even if it is a bit on the higher side, but I'm defiantly happy paying that fee for him.

I might have to pick from a hat lol. they're are so many that are up to and exceed my standards and that match my girl. Maybe I should let her pick xD

Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · #23 · 3 mo ago

QtrBel said:
You don't get to pick and choose what parts are improved. Genetics don't work that way. You find something that compliments her. She looks to be a draft cross. That says you go back to draft or you look at whatever she was crossed with. The right TB could work. But whatever you choose you want domething prepotent. If deviant crossed either a QH then you don't cross to a QH. If she is then you find something with similar lines. Breeding a cross to a random stallion opens you up to a genetic crapshoot.

Yep, but choosing stallions with good, strong conformation and characteristics matching with a mare with similar conformation and strong points will more than likely be passed down. You make a good point... She does have some draft in her. So sticking with tbs, drafts, and some types warmbloods would be the best bet?

Palfrey

· #24 · 3 mo ago

Your mare is so pretty! There are lots of choices out there! Perhaps contacting one of the farms mentioned up thread will help you narrow down your decision. Good luck, you'll have to let us know what you decide!

Fleetfoot_Biotype

· #25 · 3 mo ago

Winterkitty122 said:
Maybe I should let her pick xD.

That sounds like a fabulous idea. Just print out photos of all the studs you can't choose between, staple them to the corners of an outdoor pen and turn her loose inside it. Lol, whichever photo she goes to first, that's who she's picking to sire her foal.

XD You can name the resulting baby "Mare name's Choice".

What is your mare's exact breeding anyway? What is her breed make-up? That can make a big difference regarding what people will recommend breeding her with.

lostastirrup

· #26 · 3 mo ago

jaydee said:
Depends how much you want to spend, but it costs as much to raise a poor foal to adulthood as it does to raise a top class one

I'd stick to a similar type as the mare and look at something like this

Cosmeo - KWPN-NA

If you're looking for more variety, then check out a facility that offers Sporthorse stallions

Avalon Stallions | Quality Sport Horse Sires - Avalon Equine (avalon-equine.com)

Dang. I'd like him as a dressage stallion as much as a hunter.

Reactions: 2

Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · #27 · 3 mo ago

Palfrey said:
Your mare is so pretty! There are lots of choices out there! Perhaps contacting one of the farms mentioned up thread will help you narrow down your decision. Good luck, you'll have to let us know what you decide!

Fleetfoot_Biotype said:
That sounds like a fabulous idea. Just print out photos of all the studs you can't choose between, staple them to the corners of an outdoor pen and turn her loose inside it. Lol, whichever photo she goes to first, that's who she's picking to sire her foal.

XD You can name the resulting baby "Mare name's Choice".

What is your mare's exact breeding anyway? What is her breed make-up? That can make a big difference regarding what people will recommend breeding her with.

I’m definitely doing that lol that’ll be fun for us both I’m sure 😂

ooo that’s be nice name actually

she’s 1/2 tb 1/4 Clyde and 1/4 warmblood, not exactly sure the warmblood type I’d have to ask her breeder who I know pretty well. I’ll definitely keep you up to date with it all! Thank you!

QtrBel

· #28 · 3 mo ago

Winterkitty122 said:
Yep, but choosing stallions with good, strong conformation and characteristics matching with a mare with similar conformation and strong points will more than likely be passed down. You make a good point... She does have some draft in her. So sticking with tbs, drafts, and some types warmbloods would be the best bet?

What is being missed is she has two genes possible to pass for each pair as a draft cross she got one from the draft and one from the one used for the cross. You don't know if she got two good genes or a good gene and and poor gene. It's 50/50 what she passes. Then if you don't have a prepotent stallion of like breeding whether draft side or cross side then it's just a random mix of genes. If you knew the mix then you'd know where to start looking for a stallion. There are some nice TBs that are consistent in what they throw. Find those that have been crossed on draft crosses and look at those babies. Are they nice? Are the mares similar in conformation to yours? Do they consistently get certain traits from him? Many are crossed with TB so it's a good place to start. If you know it is something else then look at that breed. I will say another to consider would be Arabian. They tend to be prepotent and stamp their babies. They cross well on crosses for this reason.

ETA I missed the above as it didn't drop until I posted. With 1/2 TB and 1/4 each Clyde and warmblood (?) Or Warmblood(?), I'd go TB.

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Fleetfoot_Biotype

· #29 · 3 mo ago

@Winterkitty122

I second QtrBel's recommendation of breeding your mare to an Arabian. Arabs are prepotent as heck, they haven't been bred to nearly every breed worldwide for no reason! They're widely regarded as improvers and would certainly lend a slighter build to your mare's offspring.

How do you like this guy? https://m.facebook.com/100063578592273/

He's part of the modern day continuation of the old Malabar Farms breeding program. Early American Foundation breeding, which in of itself is quite uncommon. But these guys are specifically bred for substance, structural correctness, to be smart, sane, sound and have friendly temperaments.

Oh, and they're black too. XD And who doesn't dream of owning a black Arabian?

Reactions: 1

knightrider

· #30 · 3 mo ago

@4horses bred her mare to this Connemara stallion Top Gun and got a gorgeous foal. Top Gun can jump, do cross country, and dressage. She is in contact with the other Top Gun foals and they are lovely. Very athletic too.

W.H. Topgun (*Gun Smoke x Ballywhim Candace) connemara pony stallion updated 2020 (connemaras.com)

I know he's small, but man, he's nice! 4horses spent a whole year researching stallions before she picked Top Gun. She's not the least bit sorry she picked him.

Reactions: 2

stevenson

· #31 · 3 mo ago

I would cross her with that bavarian Warmblood ! The bay horse. I would not cross her with a small horse or one of those ponies. I also would not consider an Arab if it has that sea horse head, or if it had a sire or dam with that sea horse head.

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thebobbyb

· #32 · 3 mo ago

Winterkitty122 said:
Hey! So I’m breeding my American warmblood mare, who has done amazingly well in dressage, eventing and hunters, trick training, and worked very well as a pony club mount. My vet is definitely excited about breeding her too lol. Super sound and smart mare around 16.2 and has nice conformation. I am just completely overwhelmed with all the nice studs out there… there’s hundreds! I’m looking to keep the foal as my next riding horse (Even if something goes wrong and the foal can’t ever be ridden I’m keeping it)… honestly I don’t care about breed at all. Hunter type Qh, tb, any type of warmblood, Arabian cross ect… the only breeds I’m saying no too completely are Friesians and Lusitanos as they are known to have health issues and I don’t want to pass that on. I’m looking for something athletic and on the taller side so 16+. something that’s nice to work with and had good personality of course. I don’t care about the color. I’m obsessed with all colors and patterns, but high leg markings are always a bonus for me of course not needed though haha. I have a few studs in mind right now, but wanted to get other peoples opinion. Im looking to spend anything under $2000 on stud fee. Just wondering if anyone had any stallions they love. Thanks!

I forgot pictures of my mare. oops haha AND I intend to hopefully do a bit of hunter/jumper and maybe show jumping, depending on what the foal enjoys. Just a nice all around horse that has the body to jump. View attachment 1147062
View attachment 1147061

thebobbyb

· #33 · 3 mo ago

I would avoid choosing a QH now. They are having several genetic issues with the stallions. "The AQHA recommends owners screen their Quarter Horses for five diseases: glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED), heredity equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), malignant hyperthermia (MH), and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM). " I wouldn't take a chance. She's really something! Best of luck!

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4horses

· #34 · 3 mo ago

She's a very nice mare. If you do consider Connemaras I also really liked Redbuds Blue Moon. He is a thicker built stallion... Not sure if you are looking for more refinement or a sturdier built horse. He is a oversized Connemara. His sire was Wildwych Eclipse... Lots of YouTube videos if you want to look at them.

Equine Avalon has several nice stallions to choose from. I'm partial to Sempatico myself but he's a bigger horse then I would like. 10 years ago I would have loved to have a foal by him, but then I realized it's easier on me not to have a horse that big. My friends big horse really struggles with the heat in the summer. Not sure if it's that particular horse or his size that is an issue... I do think larger horses struggle more in hot weather, but little Arabians seem to do just fine.

Just keep in mind, if you breed for a big horse that jumps, your fencing may need upgrading... My Topgun colt is going to need a taller fence because he has gone through fencing twice and jumped the electric once and he's only 10 months old. So if you don't have a 5 or 6 ft fence, and possibly electric as well, that is something to consider... Be careful what you wish for.

As for knabstruppers, I looked at some of them as well. But appaloosas are prone to recurrent uveitis and that is a miserable disease to deal with. I've dealt with it once and my friends mare and grown up foal both had it... It's a very expensive and difficult disease to treat. Not something I would risk. Just remember your foal has to inherit both LP and Patn to display a really nice leopard pattern.

Don't forget to consider temperament. That was why I chose W.H. Topgun because I really wanted a good temperament in addition to athletic ability. And just because you breed to a pony doesn't mean you will get a pony.

Video is important! If you can't find multiple videos or see the stallion yourself, pass. You don't want to make a decision on a 30 second video...

One last stallion I really really liked was Get Smart (another Connemara). His movement is beautiful in dressage and he's incredible over jumps. However he is smaller than you would probably like. But what a beautiful horse! He was my second pick after Topgun.

There's a huge selection of warmbloods to choose from. Palladio Blu might be something you want to look at as well. Hilltop Farms has a nice selection of stallions as well.

Let us know what you end up deciding on!

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QtrBel

· #35 · 3 mo ago

thebobbyb said:
I would avoid choosing a QH now. They are having several genetic issues with the stallions. "The AQHA recommends owners screen their Quarter Horses for five diseases: glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED), heredity equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), malignant hyperthermia (MH), and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM). " I wouldn't take a chance. She's really something! Best of luck!

Registered horses that are used for breeding are required to be tested so you know their status. If they're clear then no reason not to. Most of the breeds have genetic disease they pass. Not all registries demand genetic panels.

I wouldn't breed this mare to a QH but it isn't because of genetic issues.

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Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · #36 · 3 mo ago

QtrBel said:
Registered horses that are used for breeding are required to be tested so you know their status. If they're clear then no reason not to. Most of the breeds have genetic disease they pass. Not all registries demand genetic panels.

I wouldn't breed this mare to a QH but it isn't because of genetic issues.

Thank you for the info! I really want to keep healthy lines so I’ll be looking into stallions who have had tests done and what could be potentially passed down. We need healthier horses out there.

it seems sticking to warmblood tb type are the best bet with her conformation type.

Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · #37 · 3 mo ago

4horses said:
She's a very nice mare. If you do consider Connemaras I also really liked Redbuds Blue Moon. He is a thicker built stallion... Not sure if you are looking for more refinement or a sturdier built horse. He is a oversized Connemara. His sire was Wildwych Eclipse... Lots of YouTube videos if you want to look at them.

Equine Avalon has several nice stallions to choose from. I'm partial to Sempatico myself but he's a bigger horse then I would like. 10 years ago I would have loved to have a foal by him, but then I realized it's easier on me not to have a horse that big. My friends big horse really struggles with the heat in the summer. Not sure if it's that particular horse or his size that is an issue... I do think larger horses struggle more in hot weather, but little Arabians seem to do just fine.

Just keep in mind, if you breed for a big horse that jumps, your fencing may need upgrading... My Topgun colt is going to need a taller fence because he has gone through fencing twice and jumped the electric once and he's only 10 months old. So if you don't have a 5 or 6 ft fence, and possibly electric as well, that is something to consider... Be careful what you wish for.

As for knabstruppers, I looked at some of them as well. But appaloosas are prone to recurrent uveitis and that is a miserable disease to deal with. I've dealt with it once and my friends mare and grown up foal both had it... It's a very expensive and difficult disease to treat. Not something I would risk. Just remember your foal has to inherit both LP and Patn to display a really nice leopard pattern.

Don't forget to consider temperament. That was why I chose W.H. Topgun because I really wanted a good temperament in addition to athletic ability. And just because you breed to a pony doesn't mean you will get a pony.

Video is important! If you can't find multiple videos or see the stallion yourself, pass. You don't want to make a decision on a 30 second video...

One last stallion I really really liked was Get Smart (another Connemara). His movement is beautiful in dressage and he's incredible over jumps. However he is smaller than you would probably like. But what a beautiful horse! He was my second pick after Topgun.

There's a huge selection of warmbloods to choose from. Palladio Blu might be something you want to look at as well. Hilltop Farms has a nice selection of stallions as well.

Let us know what you end up deciding on!

I haven’t considered them until people recommend them on here. I will definitely give him a look! I new some amazing connemaras in pony club.

Sempatico Is beautiful, he's one I was looking into. The big ones do seem to have more trouble in the heat but its nice because it isn't bad where I live! I do have an Arabian gelding as well and he never finds it hot out haha.

Wow... okay yeah that might be something to look into, at least you know he's a mover lol. I am looking to upgrader the fencing in the next few years anyway so now I have even more of a reason to haha

You're right and that's something I had seen and started to worry about. I know my vet brought up other issues especially eye issues with knabbstruppers so I think I'll have too avoid them, even though they are a really interesting breed.

I do want to make sure whoever I choose has a nice temperament. My mare is So sweet and willing, I want to make sire the father has a good personality as well. I am short myself so I don't need anything big, I've always just found big horses gaits easier to ride lol. My Arabian could change his mind mid jump and my warmblood needs more time to change direction. I don't really mind a horse on the smaller side though even if it does turn out smaller, they're super fun as well haha.

I love watching videos of the studs anyway, I love seeing their strides and how they handle different cues and jumps and things and really get a feel of the horse.

I will defiantly give get smart and Palladio Blu a look! God I'm so excited to see all these studs lol! Hilltop studs do have a nice selection as well and that's the hard part. they're all so beautiful and fit the standard

Thank you so so much. You're such a big help!

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Winterkitty122

Discussion Starter · #38 · 3 mo ago

thebobbyb said:
I would avoid choosing a QH now. They are having several genetic issues with the stallions. "The AQHA recommends owners screen their Quarter Horses for five diseases: glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED), heredity equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), malignant hyperthermia (MH), and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM). " I wouldn't take a chance. She's really something! Best of luck!

That's unfortunate... I love qh and its sad to see they have so many issues. I know their breeding has changed a ton in the past years. Thank you for the info!

stevenson

· #39 · 3 mo ago

thebobbyb said:
I would avoid choosing a QH now. They are having several genetic issues with the stallions. "The AQHA recommends owners screen their Quarter Horses for five diseases: glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED), heredity equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), malignant hyperthermia (MH), and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM). " I wouldn't take a chance. She's really something! Best of luck!

If you choose a quarter , make sure the 5 panel test was done .

stevenson

· #40 · 3 mo ago

Many breeds have genetic issues. May I suggest that the mare be dna test for genetic issues that do affect draft horses and TB if that is the mares cross. Or a DNA test to see what the mares mix actually is. I would be wondering why someone with a registered warmblood would be breeding to grade mares ? Many of the warmbloods must pass specific guidelines in order to be registered breeding quality .

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