Mares

[altjaeger]

I am planning on buying my first horse in about 13 months, and I have decided I want a mare. What I don't know is, if I am looking for one that I can show in Hunters up to 2'9", if I should disqualify mares that have given birth before. Does that take something out of them or are they as good as new after a few months?

[Tiki]

So, does that mean that women who have had children are worthless after they have given birth? Dogs can no longer hunt or do obedience trials or whatever they have been trained to do after they have had puppies? or cats that have had kittens can no longer hunt mice? or lions that have had cubs can no longer hunt for food?? or....., or......, or....................................

[dags]

Actually, some find that the more "mare-ish" mares to actually be a bit more tolerable and less bitchy after they've popped out a kid or too.

[altjaeger]

It's just a question, Tiki.

[*Liz*]

I'm with Dags. I certainly wouldn't disqualify a mare simply because she's been bred in the past.

I don't know if something physically changes with their hormones, if mothering instincts play a role, or if it's simply time/age that makes the difference, but I've known some witchy mares who became significantly more pleasant after foaling. Then again, I've known some nasty mares who were just as mean after foaling several times too.

[00Jumper]

I've known several mares that went on to have successful sport careers after being bred - it should not disqualify them at all, unless they had complications that led to other health problems.

[Phaxxton]

So, does that mean that women who have had children are worthless after they have given birth? Dogs can no longer hunt or do obedience trials or whatever they have been trained to do after they have had puppies? or cats that have had kittens can no longer hunt mice? or lions that have had cubs can no longer hunt for food?? or....., or......, or....................................

Holy overreaction. Defensive much?

To the OP, I worked at a breeding and training facility for a few years, and I've never seen a mare's performance potential decreased by having a foal - unless there were complications. If anything, it mellowed out some of them, but didn't change their performance ability. I definitely wouldn't cross any mare off my list just because she has had a foal.

[WorthTheWait95]

My BO had a mare that was doing very well in the A/O jumpers but got injured in turnout. They bred her while she was recovering to a top jumper sire and she's back to showing and better then ever. She's ten now and just did her first grand prix a few months ago. It had zero negative effects on her. The opposite actually, she was a real witch before being bred and now she's an angel. Still a little witchy to other horses but super sweet to people.

[altjaeger]

Thanks! I'll look at all of them, then. In ads, do the owners usually mention if the mare has been a mother?

[SidesaddleRider]

Thanks! I'll look at all of them, then. In ads, do the owners usually mention if the mare has been a mother?

Usually yes, a seller will mention if a mare has had any foals. But if there is no mention in an ad, feel free to just ask the seller, "Has your mare had any foals?".

[Lkramer]

I think it is a Pro rather than a Con. Often, the mare is behind in experience for her age, but that just means she is going to hold up for longer, as she had a year off. Also, if she were to get hurt, it is very difficult selling an aged maiden brood mare, and even harder to get one in foal. As long as she has her cindy crawford figure back, there is NO reason she can't be a great show horse.

[magicteetango]

My first suggestion for your first horse is to just buy the horse that suits you best, the one you ride the best. No matter if it's a mare or not, had babies or not.

I wouldn't worry about having a baby influencing their rideability, I've never heard of it impacting them negatively... especially up to 2'9", most horses should be okay for that.

[Mozart]

I think it is a Pro rather than a Con. Often, the mare is behind in experience for her age, but that just means she is going to hold up for longer, as she had a year off. Also, if she were to get hurt, it is very difficult selling an aged maiden brood mare, and even harder to get one in foal. As long as she has her cindy crawford figure back, there is NO reason she can't be a great show horse.

I agree with this. Keep in mind that in Europe it is very common to breed three year old mares. They have a foal at four and when foal is weaned they get on with their lives. Aside from the economic benefit a lot of breeders feel the mares benefit from having had a foal.

The British show jumper Robin Hood Z and his dam (she had him when she was four) have competed against each other in international competition.

[Tiki]

Sorry, but I think it was a rather odd question that fits somewhere in the time warp of "women should be barefoot, bedded and pregnant".

[altjaeger]

It's not an odd question when you don't know the answer.

[magnolia73]

Does that take something out of them or are they as good as new as a few months?

It depends on a lot. Right after having the foal, they may have been out of work for a long time, so they would need to be worked back into shape. I used to ride a mare, and started her back after she foaled. She was probably out of work for a good 10 months. It took about 2 months to get her to where I'd consider showing.

Really, being a 2'9 show horse is within capability for just about any horse with reasonable conformation and soundness. It's not that hard of a job.

[Phaxxton]

Sorry, but I think it was a rather odd question that fits somewhere in the time warp of "women should be barefoot, bedded and pregnant".

And I'm sorry but I think you are still overreacting. The OP honestly didn't know the answer - and it's a fair question, one I bet a lot of people don't know. Did you catch the part where the OP is buying her FIRST horse? Clearly, this is something she just didn't know. Her only crime is asking a question you already know the answer to. Nothing about her post was insulting, rude, or degrading. Jumping all over her for asking this question, however, was.

Why create drama over an innocent question when there is none? :confused:

This was a question about whether having a foal affects a mare's performance, nothing more, nothing less. There is no women's lib issue to see here...

[KBEquine]

There is a theory that many TB race fillies don't go on to be racemares because the hormones start kicking in around 3 & they've got more important things to think about than running faster than the other girls. BUT it is just a theory - I have never seen any studies or proof. But if the OP has ever heard that theory, it would easily explain the question & if so, there's no disrespect intended to mothers everywhere . . .

Having said that - it is a common practice with warmblood fillies to start them, often late their 3 y.o. year, breed them & then once they foal & are weaned, begin their riding career in earnest. That way you can sell them as a riding horse AND as a proven broodmare (which might be why Robinhood Z and his dam are out there competing against each other).

[altjaeger]

Tiki probably looked at my profile and noted I'm a 60 YO male. But, it's a legitimate question that I now have an answer to.

[Phaxxton]

Tiki probably looked at my profile and noted I'm a 60 YO male. But, it's a legitimate question that I now have an answer to.

Apologies for referring to you as she. :)

Still, this is a legitimate question whether you're a male or female.

[Go Fish]

I agree, having a foal shouldn't affect the mare physically.

I will bring up one issue around "having a foal makes the mare quieter." I've found on mares that were very quiet prior to foaling, having a foal at foot actually caused them to NOTICE things that they could have cared less about before. It's like now the mare has something to protect and she's on the lookout for gobblins and spooks. For my very quiet cutting mares, this was a plus. I don't know if it would be cool for a hunter.

[IrishWillow]

My jumper mare had a over year off to have a foal. I had her vetted about a month ago to make sure that everything was back to normal, included flexions, etc. She is 100% sound and cleared for everything. So, no, I wouldnt discount mares that have had time off to have babies!

[IrishWillow]

:lol:Tiki probably looked at my profile and noted I'm a 60 YO male. But, it's a legitimate question that I now have an answer to.

:lol: Now thats funny, no matter who you are!

[AndNirina]

My mare is one who had a foal in Europe before she began her career. FWIW, she's a great mare, not witchy and never acts as though her hormones affect her. Physically she's a great mover, jumper, etc so I don't think that foaling is a detriment to a career, especially at 2'9". Have fun shopping!