| > | | | | mare, that is, the stud that will help produce the |
| | | | foal you want. |
| For any proud horse owner there comes a time | | | | Once you've determined what you want, team up |
| when you want to mate your stallion or mare. | | | | with a breeder. Search the Internet for breeders |
| This is an important decision. Be patient. Be | | | | or browse breeder advertisements in horse |
| prepared. | | | | magazines. There are many stallions available |
| You've taken a good look at your mare and | | | | commercially so it is best to locate one of these. |
| believe that she is good mating material. Plus, you | | | | Owners of boarding facilities can often point you |
| are rather fond of the idea of having a baby | | | | in the right direction. If they don't have any studs |
| around. It is time to begin the long, but rewarding | | | | in their facility, they'll surely know of a breeder |
| task of find a stud for your mare. | | | | who does. Horse trainers or even your local vet |
| While it may be a charming idea to let nature | | | | are people you should talk to. Horse shows are |
| take its course and allow your mare to graze | | | | also excellent places to find breeds of your choice |
| freely with the stud of your choice, it is always | | | | and to learn more about horses and your options. |
| best, for the novice breeder, to seek professional | | | | If you are after a specific breed, be it Quarter |
| advice beforehand and assistance during the | | | | horse, Arabian or Thoroughbred, a specific web |
| mating. | | | | search could well bring up the results you need. |
| First of all, take your time. Finding the right stud | | | | Many websites have directories and classifieds. |
| for your mare will give you a better chance of | | | | When you find a potential stud talk to people |
| ending up with the type of foal you want. Be | | | | who've bred their mares to the stud, before you |
| patient. Breeding a horse is expensive so be sure | | | | go ahead. Ask about the foals. Also, make sure |
| to understand what you are getting yourself, and | | | | you discuss what the fee will be if your mare |
| your mare, into. | | | | does not conceive or if the foal is aborted during |
| There are so many things to consider before | | | | pregnancy. |
| proceeding. | | | | Read up on the horse breeding season and |
| Determine what sort of foal you want. In | | | | pregnancy. Breeding season is between March and |
| comparison to your mare do you want a bigger | | | | October. Know that pregnancy lasts 11 months |
| or a smaller foal? Do you want a taller or shorter | | | | and that the best time for a foal to be born is |
| foal? What purpose do you want it to fulfil? Do | | | | between May and July. Mares can breed until late |
| you want a working breed or a horse for | | | | in life, but should not generally begin breeding until |
| pleasure riding? Do you want to alter any of your | | | | at least four years old. Regular exercise is |
| mare's physical or personality traits? | | | | imperative for your mare's good health during this |
| You need to have clear answers to all these | | | | crucial time. |
| questions in order to find the ideal stud for your | | | | |