how do you choose???

[faye123]

I am hopefully buying a welsh pony, I am looking to breed for the 1st time with her eventually, how do you pick the wright stallion to match your mare?

[Kathryn128]

well it's not an easy decision to make, thats for sure;)

You need to make sure the stallion has the strengths where your mare is weak, really, and hope the genetic lottery means you get the jackpot (ie, your foal gets the best of both), and has, really, what you're after.

If you want a particular colour, go for the stallion that will give you the greatest chance of that colour. Know what breed you're after to cross with your mare. Both parents should have excellent track records in the discipline you'd want to use the foal in the future. Check that the stallion usually throws good foals, and check his percentage of positive pregnancies. AI is always an option, and can be less stress for the mare and the stallion.

I feel like I should say this, although of course the decision is down to you. Your mare should really be exceptional, it has to be a real CRIME to let her bloodlines go to waste, it isn't fair to breed a foal as a nice pet or because your mare is just SUCH a sweetheart, there's more than enough "okay" horses in the world. Not accusing you of doing any such thing of course, just reminding you that it needs to REALLY be worth it, and there are plenty of weanlings/yearlings out there looking for a mummy!!!:)

Hope that's covered the main points, I've probably missed things, but that's the important bits!!!!

Kathryn xx

[funkyfilly_sos]

Kathryn128 hit it on the head really. The areas in which your mare is weak in should be "filled in" by the stallions strengths. Eg. If your mare isnt too good on jumping get a stallion who is a proven jumper and hopefully (as it has been said breeding is like a lottery) your foal will take the jumping ability from its sire.

Additionally, think of what you wish to use the foal for. Whould you want to do breed classes with it? If so either get a stallion of the same breed or a stallion who is arab and therefore you can enter Arab-part bred classes etc. Would you want it to be coloured? Although producing a coloured foal is extremely complicated and confusing choosing a proven stallion with a high percent of paint foals would be a good step. Would you want it to be stockier or lighter? Think of this and breed you mare with a hotblooded or a coldblooded for the desired effect on the foal. (Coldblooded will usually make the foal more stocky whereas hotblood lightens its frame invaribly). Thinking of what you are wanting to do with the foal means you can find a stallion to match. Its all really hard, but if you find the right stallion the results can be amazing and exceed your epectations.

Good luck with this! Out of interest what would you want to use the foal for?
xxxKellyxxx