Hello, as no one else has piped up yet, Just to let you know, I'm far from expert, but have just asked this sort of question myself recently. So you're bound to get some good answers, but in the meantime... Seems height - esp if not a huge difference, as you have suggested - is not likely to be a prob at all, but if the stallion is significantly stockier than the mare, then that can sometimes be an issue. Esp with a young, maiden mare.

 

I'd look at build before height and then combined build and height and lastly height. A taller stallion of the same or slighter build shouldn't be an issue though I prefer no more than 6 inch difference and with smaller ponies I'd be more comfortable with less.

 

okay, thank you!

 

I did quite a bit of reading on this subject several years ago so I'm going by memory.
Studies have been done where shire embryos were implanted into shetland mares and the foaling process was normal. The foals came out small and then quickly outgrew their surrogate mothers. Many times the embryos of larger breeds are implanted in lighter mares on purpose in breeding facilities. It seems that the mare controls what size the foal is at birth and then genetics and nutrition take over.

I read that the number one cause of dystocia and angular limb deformities was from obese mares as fat builds around the uterus and pelvic area.

 

I would like to point out that said foals are died young... not because of birth related complications, but because of out of control metabolic disorders! Turns out that when one rears Shetland foals on the massive amounts of milk Shire mares produce, it throws the ponies internal system way off kilter and results in an early death.

 

Loosie
I cannot find the one with the shires but here is a similar study with ponies and thoroughbreds.

file:///C:/Users/LoriF/Downloads/[17417899%20-%20Reproduction]%20The%20influence%20of%20maternal%20size%20on%20pre-%20and%20postnatal%20growth%20in%20the%20horse_%20III%20Postnatal%20growth.pdf

How do you mention someone now?

 

@LoriF you type the @ sign and then start typing the name. It then gives you a list of choices.

 

Thank you all for your replies. Sorry I’m just now responding haha.