Every year I try to talk folks out of breeding their horses. An odd position for someone who runs a breeding facility. But there it is. I have to admit that I do not think I have ever succeeded. After it is all over I do get a lot of "You were right". My main points are:

• It is more expensive to breed, raise, and train than to buy.
• There is a fair chance the foal will not be what you need.
• Raising foals and breaking colts is a job for a professional.
• It is a little risky for both the mare and your wallet.

Of course the balance to this is that young foals are incredibly cute and that I believe is the main reason I lose this argument. Remember that you should try to breed your mare prior to age 16 if possible and middle age mares with no early breeding have lower conception rates. If you are still determined, alright go ahead and here is what you need to do. This article is more or less an outline with links to other articles for the details. Pick out the ones that apply to you.

First go carefully read the article on a mare's heat cycle patterns at Reproductive Patterns of the Mare. Go ahead do it now, before you take another step. Do you see the statements about trying to breed your mare early? It is a long story why most people are insisting on breeding their mares before they are really ready but I suggest you don't. It will be 10 times the hassle and three times the expense of doing it in the warm months of spring. Remember the foal is going to come 11 months later so waiting for fair weather has benefits on both the breeding and foaling end.