Stallion infertility?

[busymare]

I have been looking for a companion for my elderly mini shetland mare and have been offered a 22yo stallion that they say is infertile. Apparently he has been running with mares for 9 years without getting any of them in foal but I don't know them so I have no way of verifying what they have told me.

I googled it and one site said fertility loss is common between 20 and 25 but I wouldn't want my mare to breed again at her age. My instinct is to avoid the risk but just wondered if anyone knew how common infertility is at this age? Would you consider running an old stallion with an old mare??

Thanks for any insight in advance...

[Deleted]

My horses sire is still covering mares at 22. As you say you don't know if its the truth, only way you could find out it to have a breeding soundness exam done but that's costly or just not bother. As I wouldn't want to put the old lad through castration j

[09rebel99]

Even if he was infertile I would imagine he would still have a stallions instict and would possibly harrass your mare a bit. There are loads of mini shetlands out there looking for good homes either for free or very little money from the sales.

[Deleted]

my 26yo stallion is very much fertile! as was my 27yo when he died, we had foals by him the following year.

[kayjayem]

The only way you could be sure would be to have the semen examined under the microscope.

[patchworklilly]

I would highly recommend you get a vet to check him,i have a stallion the same age and background,and the best thing i did was get the vet to sedate and examine..