- 1). Decide why you want to breed your horse. What will be the intended use of the foal? Do you want a trail, pleasure or performance horse? You may want to breed your horse with a stud that excels in one specific area.
- 2). Determine your horse's breeding. Is she bred to work cattle? Is she a western pleasure horse? If you want to pass on your horse's natural abilities, breed her to a horse that does the same type of work.
- 3). Consider size. Do you want a foal that is bigger or smaller than your mare? Breed your mare to a stud that has a chance of giving you the size of foal you want.
- 4). Consider height. Is your mare a good height for the activities you plan to pursue? A horse that is too short or too tall will not be good for certain activities. Consider a stud that will offset the size of your mare. If she's short and you want a taller foal, breed her to a taller stud.
- 5). Consider your mare's traits. Does she have a back that is too long or a neck that is too short? Find a stud with the ideal or opposite traits to offset those of your mare.
- 6). Understand your mare's personality. Is she hot, sensitive and spooky, or is she calm and laid back? If you like the personality traits she has, breed her to a stud with the same characteristics; otherwise, find a stud that has the personality traits you're seeking.
- 7). Decide if you want to show or compete. If so, will the horse have to be registered as a specific breed, or can you have an unregistered horse? The breeding, bloodlines and registration of the stud may be very important. Otherwise, you may want to consider breeding to a horse of a different breed to give you the qualities you desire.
- 8). Determine how the horse will be bred. Will she stay at the stud's barn for a certain amount of time, during which she'll be impregnated and foaled out? Or will she come home directly after the breeding?
- 9). Determine if you want a live coverage - that is, will the stud actually mount the mare, or will the mare be artificially inseminated?
- 10
Determine payment for the stud fee if the mare does not conceive or slips (spontaneously aborts) the foal during pregnancy. - 11
Determine where the foal will be born. Do you have protection for the mare in bad or cold weather? A foaling stall (an extra-large stall) is best for mare and foal.
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