The Basics of Horse Breeding

Horse breeding is a very rewarding pursuit that can be done as a hobby or a career. Breeding horses involves choosing a stallion and mare to mate for the purposes of producing a foal with particular qualities and characteristics.

The stallion is the sire, and the mare is the dam. The sire and the dam are equally important because the foal inherits 50% genetic material from each of them. Some breeders practice selective breeding, which means choosing particular horses from particular bloodlines for specific purposes. Other breeders may simply mate available horses to produce what are called companion animals that are not going to be raced or shown competitively.

The gestation period of the mare lasts an average of 350 days. The last three months are the most crucial time for the foal as this is when 60% of growth and development happens. As far as when the birth happens depends on the preferences of the breeder. In nature, foals are often born in the springtime. However, breeders who are racing or showing their horses prefer to have their foals born in the winter months, as close to January as possible. This gives them an edge when competing against other horses in their age group. You may have heard the terms colt and filly. While a foal is simply a baby horse, a colt is a young male and a filly is a young female. The term gelding refers to a neutered male horse.

Now that you know some of the terminology, let's discuss the various breeds. There are many different horse breeds in the world and most breeders focus on one or two favorites. The American Quarter Horse is a very popular breed in North America. This horse is a working ranch horse that is suitable for many different purposes. Arabian horses were originally bred for endurance, hardiness, speed and trainability. They were used to travel long distances in unwelcoming conditions. Another popular breed is the Appaloosa, which has a distinctive spotted coat.

If you are new to the world of horse breeding, you will need to learn as much as you can about the subject. Consult with your veterinarian for more information about breeding your horses. You may also want to read some books about breeding as well. There are plenty of helpful titles out there that can help breeders of all experience levels. Here are a few examples you may want to consider for your bookshelf: Modern Horse Breeding: A Guide for Owners by Susan McBane, The Foal is the Goal: A Practical Guide to Horse Breeding by Tena Bastian and The Complete Guide for Horse Business Success by Janet E. English.



Horse Breeding News:
EEE virus warning expands in SE Mass. - Boston Globe (blog)

EEE virus warning expands in SE Mass.
Boston Globe (blog)
Homeowners can take measures that reduce mosquitoes' breeding grounds, including draining flower pots, wading pools, and gutters.
Human cases of EEE deemed 'very likely'South Coast Today

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Talking Horses: Today's best bets and live news | Sport | guardian .
Dale Swift, the most improved rider around on the Flat this year, is outstanding value for his claim even though it has recently been cut to 5lb and Carr has shown a real knack for rekindling a flame from the embers of horses who have ...


Hanson report presents four options for N.J. horse racing
The New Jersey government wants to forbid horse racing venues from installing slot machines, which would allow them to compete with racetracks in surrounding states. read more..


Triple Aspect may be best hope: plenty of home challengers to US domination - Herald Scotland

The Guardian

Triple Aspect may be best hope: plenty of home challengers to US domination
Herald Scotland
His breeding suggests a further two furlongs will be right up his street and he could make this his third win in a row. Aatash (2.10) and Flying Cloud are .
Mark Johnston in the form of his life: Trainer poised to make flying start at .Daily Mail
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Ageing Horses By Teeth | Ageing Treatments
The evolutionary history of the horse is one of the most popular topics in modern biology. And no wonder EUR all modern animals, the horse has behind her the most intact and visible tree.Our family story begins millions of years ago ...


Horses Take A Morning Gallop Through Tulsa - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa .
Six horses on the loose, roamed their way through Tulsa neighborhoods early Wednesday morning across busy streets and even through University of Tulsa campus and it was all caught on tape...


Eddy County Fair schedule
Thursday, July 29 8 a.m. Poultry show: Broiler Judging, Livestock Barn show ring. Breeding Poultry then Call Ducks will be judged in the poultry barn immediately following Broiler Judging...


Tom Eblen: Annual Hats Off Day shows impact of horse industry
Drive past the suburbs and you quickly see that horses are a big industry in Central Kentucky. But a..


Meet Basse-Normandie, Host of the 2014 World Equestrian Games, in Lexington at . - PRLog.Org (press release)

PRLog.Org (press release)

Meet Basse-Normandie, Host of the 2014 World Equestrian Games, in Lexington at .
PRLog.Org (press release)
Basse-Normandie's 8300 horse breeders, 10000 births a year, 4400 businesses and 10000 jobs make it France's leading horse-breeding region. .

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Dorfman: Horse racing may be at the finish line in New Jersey -- and it shouldn't be
Money from sports gambling could have saved horse racing..


Horse from Bellingham therapeutic riding center recovering from emergency surgery - Bellingham Herald

Bellingham Herald

Horse from Bellingham therapeutic riding center recovering from emergency surgery
Bellingham Herald
Bozzo said she got Kleng when he was 4 years old from people in Sidney, BC, who were going to use him for breeding but decided to sell him instead. .

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Horses Trained For Police Patrol - Regional News - Lehigh Valley .
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Bethlehem's mounted patrol will be among those who are on the clock for crowd control when Musikfest gets under way next week. Wednesday, July 28, 2010...


Hanson report presents four options for NJ horse racing - Allentown Examiner

Standardbred Canada

Hanson report presents four options for NJ horse racing
Allentown Examiner
Without alternate gaming as an option, the racing and breeding industry is handcuffed.EUR The SBOANJ said it would like to build a new gaming model with slots .
The Future of Racing in New Jersey Will Impact Sport HorsesThe Star-Ledger - NJ.com
MILLSTONE MAYOR URGES CALLS TO GOVERNOR & LEGISLATORSStandardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey

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Horse from Bellingham therapeutic riding center recovering from emergency surgery
The Northwest Therapeutic Riding Center's award-winning pony, Kleng, suffered a bout of colic J..


IDA database potentially compromised
A computer and protective case has been stolen from a locked state vehicle of an Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship employee. This theft has placed at risk the personal information of Iowans participating in the departments Horse and Dog Breeding Program. Through this program the department provides financial awards to breeders of successful Iowa born racing greyhounds and ...




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