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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

90.0. "maiden mare/excited stallion?" by MTADMS::DOUGLAS () Fri Jun 21 1991 14:55

    
    MODERATOR please move this to correct note. 
    
    I read note 4 (breeding) but it did not answer my questions.
    
    I have a stallion that I would like to breed to a mare that
    I am in the process of buying. The stallion has a sweet disposition
    and is a perfect gentleman while under saddle, to lead, trailer, 
    etc.. but I was told that he is difficult to breed in that he 
    is quite excitable. (I find it hard to beleive with his temperement, 
    but maybe his mind goes elsewhere!). He has covered many many mares 
    that have thrown previous foals, so he knows the score so to speak. 
    He is very respectful of me and what I ask of him. 
    
    Now, the mare that I am getting is only 5 years old, and she is
    maiden. Her current owners says that when she comes into heat, she
    stands for anything that comes near her, including mares! 
    
    QUESTIONS: I was told by my instructor that a rowdy stallion and
    a maiden mare should never be bred together. The mare, being maiden
    may strike out in fear, the stallion being excited may get hurt
    (or hurt her) in the process. Hobbles are out of the question.
    What do horses do in the wild where this happens every day? 
    Are some stallions calmer than others, or when it comes down to it, 
    aren't they all after the same thing? Would a pasture breeding be 
    too dangerous? 
    
    I have been reading all I can about breeding, and will have my
    vet assist me of course, and I know the do's and dont's as far
    as shoes, hobbles, etc,.. but I never knew that the mix of the
    above was taboo?
    
    Tina_who_is_worried
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
90.1BOSOX::LCOBURNHow # sins can I get $ make heaven?Fri Jun 21 1991 15:078
    I know very little about breeding so perhaps this is a stupid
    question, but why not AI ?? Is it incredibly difficult, or
    expensive??  My mare is a former broodmare, and it's a pain
    in the butt at times. She winks at her trailmate constantly,
    and can get very irritable at times. I've always wondered if
    she's be less excitable had she been bred an alternative way.
    (she was breed 4 times by live cover).
    
90.2KAHALA::FULTZED FULTZFri Jun 21 1991 15:297
While there are various notes on breeding, there doesn't seem to be any
specifically addressing a virgin mare being bred and all of the problems that
might arise from this.  So, how about any suggestions from those more 
knowledgeable.

Ed..
co-moderator
90.3BE CAREFUL FOR ALL CONCERNED...MAN AND ANIMALASABET::NICKERSONKATHIE NICKERSON 223-2025Fri Jun 21 1991 15:4117
    I will get my husband to answer this one.  He handled the stallion(s)
    and I handled the mares.  They are all different.  Some are very
    difficult and others are fine.  In my opinion if it is a maiden mare
    and a "rowdy" stallion, and let me tell you they are different
    creatures when they are breeding, you should have someone with
    experience handle them or at least help.
    It can be dangerous to you, the stallion and the mare.
    
    As far as the wild goes, it may have been okay because there were no
    "restrictions" put on by man...for example, they ran together and knew
    in most cases when the "right" time was; they had no halters on with
    someone tugging on the other side, etc.
    
    Good luck...it is a wonderful experience but please be careful for
    everyone's sake.
    
    
90.4stallions in the wild are quickly replacedESCROW::ROBERTSMon Jun 24 1991 11:1717
    About horses in the wild -- 
    
    Yes, we seem to go to great lengths to protect our horses when they are
    doing something that should be natural.  But, if you really analyze it
    closely, most of the protecting is for the stallion, who is actually
    the one more likely to be hurt.  
    
    In the wild, protection for the stallion is not as necessary.  In the
    first place, his mares are part of his herd and therefore are not
    strangers.  But also, the simple fact is that stallions are expendable!
    There are many more waiting on the edges of herd society to take over
    as soon as the ruling stallion is injured.  In captivity, the economics
    of breeding turn things around, and it is the stallions who generate
    the most money and so are carefully protected.
    
    -ellie
    
90.5BreedingAKOCOA::LESAGEMon Jun 24 1991 14:5611
    Having handled many stallions years ago and having been involved in the
    breeding aspect of horses, I can understand your concerns.  We used
    breeding hobbles on any mare we were not sure about. These hobbles were
    to protect the stallion from being kicked.  So I am not sure what were
    fears were about breeding hobbles.  We also used a teasing stallion to
    make sure the mare was ready.  We had some stallions we had to muzzle to
    keep them from biting the mares.  The best advise is to make sure the
    people handling the breeding know what they are doing.  This can be
    dangerous for the horses and the handlers if not done correctly. 
    Believe it or not this does not come naturally to some horses.
                
90.6Do you have help?FRAGLE::PELUSOPAINTS; color your corralMon Jun 24 1991 14:5924
    Hi Tina-
    
    I have watched/helped my instructor w/ several breedings over the past
    few years, and from what little I know, I would think almost anything
    could happen.
    
    Her main stud is quite loud and excitable, another one who visits `camp'- 
    more subdued, and her newest acquisition, well I haven't seen anything yet,
    but I hear he's quiet too.  All the mare's act differently.
    
    I saw one maiden mare try to make this stud a gelding, but a few of the
    seasoned mares have tried too as well.  My girlfriends mare had to be
    restrained more than usual, because she wouldn't stand from the stud.
    It took many coverings to get her pregnant.   
    
    Do you or can you have the help of someone who is experienced in
    handeling mares and stallions?  If you'd like the name of my instructor
    contact me off line......maybe she can give you a better idea of what
    to expect and have some suggestions for handeling.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Michele
                                                               
90.7Age of Maiden Mare...DEMON::RHODAN::DIROCCOWed Jul 17 1991 18:513
    How old is too old for a maiden mare? Just curious.
    
    Deb
90.8courting MTADMS::DOUGLASFri Jul 19 1991 12:0710
    RE: .11
    
    	Yes, I think that is a good idea to let them have time to "court".
    I did put them side by side and he gets to speak and muzzle with the
    mare. She is not sure what to think about all his fussing over her.
    
    	I am going to wait until next spring to breed her. I want to 
    train her this year and maybe she being older will be a little more
    settled. I also want a spring baby, I think it's late now although
    I know people that have bred up until August.