The True Costs of Having Your Mare Bred

THE TRUE COSTS OF HAVING YOUR MARE BRED

Chance Marshall There’s no use in breeding mares with range anywhere from $250-$5,000- ewborn foals can be exciting, poor conformation and a bad attitude plus and are dependent on the breed, Nfun, and enjoyable. Perhaps see- -- you’ll get more horses with poor age, and performance records of ing these new additions frolicking confirmation and a bad attitude. Also, the stallion. Investing in the best sire in pastures has made you consider breeding mares older than 15 is more genetics feasible for your budget is breeding your own mare. of a gamble because they are less imperative. If planning to cut corners You may have a beautiful mare likely to become pregnant. with the stud fee, rethink if having you have competed on, worked cattle Ask yourself, “Will I be able to your mare bred is right for you. To with, or a trusty mountain horse and provide a clean and protected en- quote an old thoroughbred breeder’s want another one like her. There are vironment for the foaling process? mantra, “Breed the best you have plenty of motivations for breeding a Where will they live? Will the mare with the best that you can afford.” mare. Make no mistake, though, there and foal have room for exercise?” Regardless of whether you are many factors to consider before Exercise is vital to foal development choose artificial insemination (AI) or diving into the breeding process. and decreasing foaling difficulty. “live cover,” you will be responsible Then, determine if you will have for a booking fee (ranging from $100- Does Breeding My Mare Make extra money to fund the project and $800) to reserve your spot in line for Sense? the ability to commit the necessary the stallion’s services in the upcom- Determine if the mare is a good time for the next several years. ing breeding season (usually deduct- breeding candidate. Some major con- ed from the stud fee). siderations are: physical conformation, Do the Costs Fit My Budget? The one-time stud fee represents disposition, and age. While no horse is Veterinarian Costs only a portion of the overall costs but You, your mare, and your check- perfect, a breeder should be mindful is likely the most apparent. Prices book will become very familiar with a of their mare’s faults and weaknesses.

FALL 2014 13 Another relatively common and potentially life-threatening com- plication following parturition is “broodmare colic.” With the uterine contractions and sudden internal absence of the foal, torsion of the mare’s colon and intestine is pos- sible. Monitor mares for colic symp- toms following foaling. Any of these complications have the potential to significantly increase the costs of your breeding venture. Besides the foaling process, there are a few additional costs to consider. reliable veterinarian. Here are addi- • At least one to two visits to the During gestation at months 5, 7, and tional costs: vet as soon as 30 days following 9, it is strongly recommended mares • Prior to insemination, your mare breeding and in later pregnancy is receive a dose of a Pneumobort HSV-1 must be current on all vaccina- necessary to confirm via ultra- booster vaccine. This vaccine boosts tions ($0-$50), and it is recom- sound a successful and ongoing the mare’s immune system and helps mended she have a reproductive pregnancy ($70 - $100 per visit). prevent rhinoneumonitis, which can tract exam and uterine culture lead to abortion. If the foal is a colt, he A high plane of nutrition is es- done to confirm health (~$200). will probably be gelded, ideally within sential for the mare’s ability to foal the first year of his life ($300). It is • A good reproductive veterinarian without difficulty and for the develop- also a common practice to vaccinate will need to closely monitor your ing fetus. As the fetus grows during the foal at 3 months of age ($100 for mare’s ovarian cycle via ultra- late gestation, the mare’s nutrient miscellaneous vaccines). If you plan to sound ($70-$100 per visit) for a demands will increase, and she will register the foal with a breed associa- number of days prior to AI. This is consume more hay than normal, thus tion such as the American Quarter absolutely necessary to determine increasing her feed costs. Also, dur- Horse Association, those costs should when to have the semen collected ing pregnancy, hooves tend to grow be included as well ($50-$150). ($100-$150), shipped overnight extra fast, and, due to the added ($75-$200 depending on destina- weight of pregnancy, hoof care is The Bottom Line tion), and plan the most effective important to avoid lameness ($40 trim Having a mare bred requires time to inseminate ($50). every eight weeks). serious investment of money, time, If all goes according to plan, in and mental toughness. If consider- • Decide whether you want the vet 340 days (11 months) the new foal ing breeding your mare, make the to come to you ($200-$250 per will be born. Following delivery, your responsible decision of whether your farm/ranch visit) or whether you veterinarian should perform a well- mare is a suitable candidate and are willing to pay board at their ness exam on the mare and the foal if you have the disposable income clinic (roughly $25 per day for up to ensure they are in good shape. and time to do it right. On the other to two weeks depending on how Even if both appear healthy, it is hand, if you believe your mare is a quickly she ovulates). important to confirm the mare was good breeding candidate and you • Any hormones used in the able to pass the placenta, the foal is are prepared for the challenge, then process of getting your mare adequately nursing, and to ensure the I truly wish you luck, enjoyment, and to cycle should be considered foal doesn’t show any signs of limb success! ($100-$150). abnormalities or infections.

Chance Marshall has the information horsepower to offer equine advice. He is a University of Wyoming Extension educator based in Campbell County but also serves Crook, Johnson, Sheridan, and Weston counties. He can be contacted at (307) 686-7281or at [email protected].

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