Stallion/mare sizes

[DeirdreBarlow]

Ive not had much to do with breeding, but Ive always thought that in an ideal world you should put a smaller stallion to a bigger mare (rather than the other way round) and all the literature Ive read seems to suggest the same thing.
A chap on our yard has recently put his 14.2hh mare in foal to a 16hh stallion (both are middleweights and mare is 10 yrs old and never foaled before) and Im curious. It's none of by beeswax :rolleyes: , but for my own curiosity ;) , surely this match isnt a good idea?

[CMR]

If they are the same bone sizes, then height isn't *too* much of a problem. The big problems come in when the horses have huge size differences; i.e. A Clydesdale stallion with a Hackney mare. No good. :(

[chev]

Have a look at the 'size of stallion for my mare' thread started by Colonel in the cafe. That gives two very different points of view on this!

As a general rule, you shouldn't use a stallion heavier in build, or more than 6" taller. If the mare is a maiden you should have her examined before covering to pick up on any potential problems (like a particularly small pelvis) and it's usually a good idea to stick to a stallion around the mare's own size for a first foal. It's also a good idea to study the stallion's progeny; some stallions throw small, others throw big.

It's never, ever a good idea to use a heavy stallion on a light mare, even when they're of a similar height. Yes, soem studies show that you can srocc Shtlands with Drafts; but there is a higher risk of serious problems doing that, and for me the increased risk just isn't worth it.

Not to mention that crossing different types often gives you badly put together types (we've all seen horses resulting from heavy x light that have short legs, huge heads and bodies and no bone. Mixing heavy and light does not give you a mix of types; it gives you a collective result of whatever genetics are dominant, and that is a lotttery that can yield horrible results!)

The most recent research is suggesting that it is the best idea to match type and size as closely as possible, for lots of reasons. I'd go with that, rather than older studies.

[DeirdreBarlow]

Thanks for that :) .