Question re: Mare Size

Bohemia · Postby **Bohemia** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:27 pm

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum but really like all the breeding topics that are discussed ... I was wondering if any of you have big mares and if you find that you tend to select smaller stallions to breed them to. My mare is 16.2 and she's currently in foal to a stallion that's 15.2 (I just recently purchased her). Was hoping I could get some advice ... thanks in advance.

LB · Postby LB » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:59 pm

Welcome to the forum!

Several of our mares are pretty big but I don't select stallions for them based on size. It's probably one of the last criteria I look at. Physically I'm more interest in balance and matching/comparing strengths and weaknesses. I suppose I would probably shy away from a truly giant stallion but, practically speaking, there aren't many of those anyway so it hasn't been an issue.

smeehan · Postby **smeehan** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:04 pm

We have a large mare (16'3) who consistently reproduces her size, bone and muscle in her foals, regardless of the stallion. For example, her Rubiano filly and her Cryptoclearance colt are of equal size and substance. We tend to choose smaller stallions as we like what she's produced--they have all proved to be durable, nice runners, and we're also afraid we'd get a draft horse if we bred to something like the mare!

Bohemia · Postby **Bohemia** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:13 am

Yes, getting a foal who grows too large is something I would like to avoid. A friend has a mare nearly as large as mine and she bred it to a 17 hand stallion ... subsequently the foal grew to enormous proportions and will never make it to the races.

KMO_racing · Postby **KMO_racing** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:11 am

Most of our mares are 16.1+ . In looking for a stallion I look at size last. I won't normally breed to a stallion over 17. Just try to avoid complications in foaling & growth. ONE OF MY MARES IS 16.3I could breed her to a pony & would get a monster. She has reproduced herself everytime and they don't run till they are 3+ cause the knees don't close early. Bad for resell at a sale.

mary · Postby **mary** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:26 pm

Just curious, but why would a large size preclude a horse from racing if everything else is okay?

Bohemia · Postby **Bohemia** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:19 am

Normally it doesn't. My friend's foal that was so large that it couldn't stand up to the rigors of training, chipped a knee and a sesamoid. Maybe more of a genetic issue than size.

KMO_racing · Postby **KMO_racing** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:35 pm

They can still race but it ussually takes longer to get them to the track.