| Nature itself has always had an impact and influence | | | | sound, healthy horse. Generally the stallion owner |
| on breeding over the years. In the wild only the strong | | | | offers his horses services during the breeding season |
| survived, horses roamed free and were unprotected | | | | for a fee. If you want to make money breeding then |
| by man. The stallion (male leader) fought other stallions | | | | you certainly need to own a stallion that has good |
| to protect and maintain his herd. Any weakness | | | | bloodlines, good conformation and temperament. |
| threatened his entire lifestyle. | | | | Those three aspects are essential ingredients for |
| Today man has a major role in breeding, no longer is | | | | breeding. A mare has a little more elbow room in her |
| the need for strength and survival so important. Rather | | | | requirements. This is only because she is going to |
| we are able to do selective breeding for traits such as | | | | produce a single foal per year, whereas a stallion is |
| color, breed, conformation and athletic ability. | | | | bred to around 40 mares per season with live cover |
| When horses were first domesticated we either | | | | and a lot more when using artificial insemination. |
| needed them for transportation or as work animals to | | | | The resulting foal is definitely a combination of mare |
| help on farms. All work was demanding of the horse | | | | and stallion qualities, the stallion does not have more |
| and man saw what he needed from horses. | | | | influence in the gene pool. You do not need a top |
| Certainly no thoroughbred should endure pulling a tank | | | | competing mare in order for you to breed for a foal. |
| in the snow for weeks on end. | | | | Any horse owner with a mare can choose to breed. |
| A heavy set horse is far better suited for that job. | | | | With that said I do not mean that any horse owner |
| And so began the mixing and mingling of bloodlines and | | | | should choose to breed. If you are interested in |
| breeds. | | | | breeding become educated in horse breeding first. Talk |
| As we have progressed in life with conquering new | | | | to people who have bred, visit stud farms and learn |
| lands so we have taken our trusted steed along for | | | | about the industry. |
| the ride. Horses that travelled to distant lands were | | | | Horse breeding is a fascinating and wonderful career. If |
| bred with the native horse of that land. A new breed | | | | you cannot afford the stud fee for the top horses you |
| evolved and man bred to refine the qualities and | | | | could investigate working on the stud farm. There are |
| characteristics. | | | | a number of studs that offer benefits and incentives to |
| Horse breeding is natural, but not all horses are meant | | | | staff which can include a free service to a mare. |
| to be bred. In order for two to make three we need a | | | | When deciding to breed your horse, know what kind |
| stallion (male) and a mare (female) which mate. A | | | | of horse you would like from the match. Know the |
| mare can only be bred with when she is in season. If | | | | rules of the horse breed, some horses will not be |
| the covering (mating) is successful she will give birth to | | | | accepted into the breed registry without specific traits |
| a foal (baby) ten months later. | | | | like color. Always look for a stallion that compliments or |
| If you are interested in breeding for what ever | | | | improves on the qualities of your mare. |
| personal reason, the best place to begin is with a | | | | |