Some mares begin to experience a decrease in the number of estrus heat cycles, or have more irregular cycles, as they age and palpation will detect the presence of follicles, cysts, and other ovarian structures, both normal and abnormal.
If your mare is cleared with a clean reproductive exam, there are still further questions to think about before breeding her. Firstly, do you consider her genes good enough to pass on to another generation? You state she is a wonderful riding pony, but as carefully and objectively as possible, please evaluate these aspects further:. Also consider your intentions for the foal: will you be raising this foal, or selling it?
If you plan on selling the foal, does there appear to be a market for it? Do you or someone you know have the experience to properly train a young horse? Will your current financial situation be able to handle the increased costs of a foal in terms of veterinary care and extra feed? Keeping in mind that the last half-decade or so has seen an increase in unwanted horses in this country. Do you have a plan as to where this foal will fit in? Although these may seem like harsh questions, they are meant to get you to honestly assess your mare and think about whether it is really a good idea to breed your mare at all, regardless of her age.
My opinion is that I would be hesitant to breed your year-old mare, given her age and her unknown reproductive history. I strongly encourage you to consider the above questions before making your choice on breeding your mare to become an old broodmare. I have a young colt, that was born to a 24 yr old Arab mare. No I am not the owner of the mare. I too have an older mare, she is I hope to breed her again next spring. However, she has had 3 uncomplicated pregnancies in the last 5 years and cycles regularly.
Continued reading on fitness, feeding and competition for horses 20 and up here. So glad to read your thoughts on this topic! I also find it sad that, with an animal that potentially has 25 or more years of working life, people see the need to get them under saddle and working by 2 … which leads to too many unsound horses by around 8 years of age. A 20 year old QH with Navicular who still does trails Navicular is manageable and a ish rescue.
All geldings…. Just wondering how you manage your horse Navicular as I have a mare that is on 6 and has it. She is fine for awhile when we bring her into to work then starts to go lame. My fruend has a Norwegian Fjord that is at least 36 maybe older. He looks amazing and spray as can be.
He was a driving horse who lost his team mate a couple years back also in his 30s. My husband and I wanted to learn how to ride as adults. I purchased 2 horses 25 and 29 years old for the same price as 1 younger horse and it has been such a pleasure to learn with them.
Older is better in so many ways! Excellent article! Now, at 25, she is ready for something a little younger, and I will get to use this wonderful guy for light trail rides and local shows. He is still feeling great and looking good. When does a horse become old? It may be getting harder to maintain their ideal body weight, whether this be excessive weight gain or difficultly in maintaining condition, particularly over the winter months.
Loss of molar teeth which will affect the chewing and grinding of food, especially long fibre. Elongated front teeth incisors , which may be seen as difficulty in biting off grass.
Deepened hollows over the eyes. Dropping or swaying of the back, may be seen as lack of topline.
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