putting an older mare in foal ? opinions please !! x

[jennipenny]

anyone's opinions on this .. a 17 year old mare being put in foal ..
as far as we are aware she hasn't had a foal before although certainly knows how to make one .... and is very very concerned/interested in foals on the yard and a good mothering instinct ? x

please no-one give me the lecture about can we afford the foal were to keep ect ect .. said foal would have a home for life just like her mother and will be a very very important part of the family x

[leevale]

It is worth having her scanned to make sure she is ok and cycling properly before sending her to stud, but I wouldn't be put off by her age. Good luck

[chloev]

Should be no problem at all, if you can get her in foal.

As suggested above, get her scanned to check all is in order and then find a stud with a really good, experienced repro vet.
Older mares especially (and some younger ones) are prone to pooling 'fluid' and this is enough to stop her getting in foal if not recognised. A good repro vet will be able to deal with this and treat it and hopefully get your mare to take and hold a pregnancy. If there is fluid and it's not seen you'd be just throwing money away.
With a 17 year old maiden you must have a good repro vet!

Apart from that, good luck with her and hopefully her foal for next year.