Sport pony breeding

[gubbyz]

Just curious, if I was to breed my 15.3 hand Selle Francias mare to a pony stallion, what are the odds of getting a pony and not a hony! Found a cute 13.2 hand pinto sport pony!

[Molly Malone]

I'd go smaller. 12.2

[quicksilverponies]

Yes, you need to go smaller - 12.2 or 12.3 probably. If it is her first foal, you might get by with a tad bigger. But most importantly, you should breed to a purebred, not a crossbred since a crossbred can have larger genes in its pedigree.

[cottagefarm]

Yep

.. As Melinda says you need to stick with a 12.2 or under purebred if you want a pony.
BTW I HATE that HONY term. It makes them sound like a mutant!!!!

I wish there were more classes for the small horses over here.

[VirginiaBred]

A 15.3 mare (especially with warmblood in the mix) bred to any stallion of that size is tempting the odds. I'd say with your combination, you'll end up with a 14.3 - 15. handler for real.

A warmblood of that size if bred to a purebred (where you can guarantee you size so much more easily) should not exceed 12.2. A crossbred sire should go smaller.

[SSFLandon]

there is a tiny AMAZING stallion in Canada name Austin. Try to look him up. He moves incredible hunter type and is super cute. Many wins and RWAF...I would love to breed to him!

[Daventry]

I agree with everyone else. To answer your question, it will really depend on the size of the stallion. The odds of getting a large pony out of a 14.1 HH stallion and your mare are next to zero!! I'm also betting you'd end up with a hony with a 13.2 HH stallion.

Our Section A Welsh Pony hunter stallion has been regularly been bred to 16.1+ HH mares and has produced some outstanding large ponies...but he's also only 11.1 1/2 HH. Our 12.2 HH stallion has crossed extremely well with the 15.1-16.0 HH warmblood mares too.

It's important to do some research on the stallion you are interested in and look at the height in the stallion's background, as well as your mare's. You can definitely breed your mare to get a nice pony, you just have to find the right pony stallion to do so with. As everyone else has mentioned, I'd also go with a purebred too as it will be your best bet to get a typey pony and no risk of "hidden height" popping up from the background!

[Dressage_Diva333]

Yep, you need to go a lot smaller, a Section A really. Especially if your mare has size in her pedigree.

Regardless of whether or not the mare is maiden or not, the foal may be born smaller than usual, but will almost always reach full genetic potential.

[gubbyz]

Very cool! Thanks everyone!