Question for breeders

[twofatladies88]

If you had a mare under 12.2hh, what height stallion would be the maximum you would use? (not sure if this topic has been discussed before, have had a quick look and can't find anything)

[Guestless]

It has been discussed before so expect varying answers.

For me personally, I wouldn't use anything more than a hand bigger unless the mare is particularly chunky and the stallion quite fine. I had a friend who bought a mare (unknowingly) in foal and she lost the foal because it was too big for the mare (and nearly lost the mare too).

There are mixed views on whether the mare dictates the size of the foal, but my friend clearly witnessed what happens when that goes wrong and IMO it's not worth the risk. My view is that if you want a bigger foal, then buy one.

[Bluesilkie]

I had an 11.2hh mare who while away "sneaked" in with a 16.2hh stallion , although she gave birth without a problem (didn't know she was infoal until many months later) and foal was perfectly formed but it sadly died a few days later due to other complications.

[twofatladies88]

Thanks folks, just what I was thinking Guestless. Is it only me then that is appalled by a coloured foal for sale on hg, sire 16.2 trad cob dam dartmoor mare? What were they thinking? Rant over.

[brt]

You have to bear in mind though, that the mare determines the size of the foal while she is carrying it.
On the ground is where the foal will grow to size. If the stallion was too big, the mare normally absorbs the fetus or aborts very early on.

[gillwales]

a lot depends on the build of the mare and the stallion. If you want to use a bigger stallion make certain it is a fine boned one. The fetus size is governed by the mare. Size is determined by genetics and it will not be a mean of the 2 sizes. In general I would not use a boy bigger than 14.2 on a 12.2 mare. My friend had a 16.1 stallion and she would not cover any pony smaller than 14.2.

hoe that helps

[dalak]

I know the ownersof the foal u r talking about and the owners bought her Infoal and it was an acciental covering!!
I wouldn't be worried about the size of the foal too much as said above the mare determines the size of the foal (and from what I know the mare coped fine with the size of the foal u are talking about). I would be more worried about the mare having to holdthe weight of a big stallion when covering.

[Deleted]

I lost a mare just before foaling this year; a Dartmoor mare in foal to a Dartmoor stallion, whilst the foal was turning to be born, it put a foot through her uterus, we couldn't save either! its the first one I have lost like that in 35 yrs of breeding, it can and does happen and its heartbreaking.
I breed Dartmoors and part breds, I have put a 12.3 part bred to a 14hh stallion ... but this is an experienced mare who has foaled 5 times before - they are fine.

[hatman]

My friend last year had on her yard a 12.2 mare who was in foal to a 16.2 warmblood stallion. My friend was very worried about how the mare would foal but the owners were fine about it. Luckily it did foal ok and the foal was sold at a huge price.

[kilnstown]

A lot of research has been done in the states over this, I believe that 100 shetland pony mares where Ai'd to Clydesdale stallions, all mares foaled and had no more problems than a TB stud foaling a 100 mares to TB stallions, so it is fairly conclusive that the mare does dictate the size of the foal, however I think that during a normal service the weight and size of the stallion must be taken into account, and if your mare is an experienced brood mare and quite substantial in build I see no problem in using a bigger stallion over her, and remember that a lot of the best section C ponies that have been bred are by section D's over section A's.

[pattendown]

i would use a stallion bigger than my girls i do the other way round ,the risk is just too high for me ,as my 12.3hh mare has big foals anyway but she was bred to my 11.2hh sec b and the foal is standing at 11.2hh at 9 mnths