Breeding a lg pony to produce a horse: how big? registries?

[woweezowee]

Today my vet mentioned studies done with horses citing that they are one of the only species that ensure the mother will physically be able to give birth to offspring... She also mentioned a study with Shetland mare x Draft stallion (and the reverse) and said the small mare x lg stallion foal was smaller (horse's final height limited from controlled growth in uterus).

ANYWAY. I am interested in breeding my large pony mare (info) (http://www.vixenrun.com/vrf-cheers.html) to a horse. She's my childhood pony so of course there's sentimental value but I truly do think she'd produce a good horse (her first/only foal (to mature medium pony, weanling) is exquisite IMHO ;)). She's 14hands with ZERO withers (sire: 13.3, dam:12.3), she's 7/8ths Welsh.


How big would I have to go to get a 16+hand foal?
Has anyone else done this? (I do remember Windswept mentioned an Empire's Power foal out of a 17.2h mare. I'm shooting for the opposite.)
Are there any Warmblood approval options for her as a broodmare pony seeking to produce a horse?

[VirginiaBred]

You had started another thread about breeding her before, correct? But it was for a pony if I'm not mistaken.

If she has never had a foal before, I'd not go too large. I don't think you will EVER get a 16+ hand resulting cross; she's too small for that. Best case scenario would be something around 15.2.

[Tiki]

It's one thing to use a small stallion on a large mare, very, very different scenario to use a very large stallion on a small mare. I don't care WHAT the studies and your vet said - many of us breeders have lost foals, and some have also lost mares, due to foals being too big to be born. Your 14H pony mare is NOT the way to get a 16H horse!

[Cloverbarley]

I've done this twice in my life. First one was a 13.2hh Arab mare that I bought who had already been bred to a 16.3hh TB. Resulting colt ended up 15.3hh at maturity. Second one was 12.2hh Connemara bred to my 15hh APHA stallion. Resulting filly is 2 years old and only about 13hh and probably not going to grow a whole lot taller now. So first time it worked, second time it didn't. Neither of the mares were maidens and both foaled and raised their foals without a hitch.

I agree, I can't imagine you will ever be able to breed the size you are hoping for from your pony.

[woweezowee]

Thank you for the feedback. I was looking for both the positive/negative sides and (as some of you answered) if it was even possible at all! I would NOT do anything reckless, but I was shocked/curious at what my vet said since she is very risk-conservative.

Some examples that brought this to mind:
Escapade 16.2 1/2 bred to welsh mare "Mapleside Punky Brewster" to produce a large
Anything bred to Larry's Hat to produce a pony

Granted those aren't as big as I would have to go to get a top of the line Sm. Jr.

[VirginiaBred]

Some examples that brought this to mind:
Escapade 16.2 1/2 bred to welsh mare "Mapleside Punky Brewster" to produce a large
Anything bred to Larry's Hat to produce a pony
Granted those aren't as big as I would have to go to get a top of the line Sm. Jr.
I know of some of the ones you are refering to, but the first one you mentioned was entirely too risky. I would never do it.

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