b'a great stallion is not going to fix a not-so-great mare.Technically speaking, the mare and the stallion each contribute 50% of their DNA. However, Ferris says, in his opinion the mare impacts the foals build, structure, and trainability more than the stallion does. I often suggest that if a client wants to produce top-level foals that they start with top-level mares, he says. Its nearly impossible to get a top-level foal from a low-level mare.If the mare doesnt have the nicest personality, if she pins her ears and kicks out when you approach, she teaches the foal that, Veley says. We break the bank buying the absolute best mares we can. The Breeding Process Breeding a mare is not as easy as leav-ing it to the birds and the bees. While shipped semen has made stallions more accessible, its a tricky process with no guarantee of conception. Espy estimatesBreeders must manage a 65-80% pregnancy rate with cooledtheir mares carefully to time COURTESY TRICIA VELEYinsemination or \x0cushing of semen and a 35-50% chance with frozenembryos for transfer (shown (and thawed) semen.here) just right to achieve a If the mare doesnt take the first time,successful pregnancy.rebreeding can get expensive. It costs about $900 to put frozen semen in the mare, and she may not catch that cycle,foal in March in California, but in Ferristo his practice every day for a week (for he says. Then its $900 for a second cycle,home state of Oregon, that time of yearultrasounds to determine where she is in and she may not catch then, either. Sowill be rainy and muddy, and in Coloradoher cycle so they can order semen and they have $1,800 into a breeding and noit could be cold and snowy. Breedersinseminate her), thats what I do. Shes pregnancy.in these locales often prefer summeralso had some downtime this year due to By comparison, he says, it typicallyfoalings. another injury, and having a little bit of costs half as much to breed a mare withMares are naturally most fertile fromrest and time to get a little fat may have cooled semen. March through June under naturalalso helped, in line with study findings So when mare owners pick a stallion,conditions. So if you are aiming for anshowing that mares in higher body condi-Ferris encourages them to look for oneearlier foal (e.g., for Western futuritiestion typically conceive and carry pregnan-with good-quality semen. That involvesor Thoroughbred racing), youll need tocies more easily. asking pointed questions, such as howadjust the mares cycle accordingly. You many mares the stud bred the previousmight need to put her under artificialBuilding Your Team season, how many of those mares are cur- lights in November or December of theLarge-scale breeding farms are suc-rently pregnant, and how many insemi- prior year so she can be bred in Januarycessful, in part, because they have a team nation attempts it took to establish eachor February. to help with each step of the process. pregnancy.The best advice I can offer any breederThat includes not only the breeding but The timing of breeding is a big factor,is (to have) patience, Moore says. Itsalso the wellness exams, vaccinations, as well, and can vary based on breed andnot an easy process.deworming, and foaling. Ferris stresses region, says Ferris. For example, QuarterShes been trying to flush embryosthe importance of assembling a team 330 Horse breeders often desire early foalsfor transfer from Paige for four years,days in advance of your foals arrival. (born January through April), whilewith no luck. This year, under FerrisThat team could be limited to one Warmblood breeders might want foalscare, Paige has produced three embryos.veterinarian who assists with every step they can present at fall inspections (bornMoore attributes the success to reframingof the process or include several who May through July). Timing also shiftsthe way she manages the mare. communicate with each other and the dramatically depending on weather, envi- My schedule fits her schedule, sheowner. Veley says the team can even ronment, and facilities. A mare can easilysays. If that means I have to drive herinclude businesses such as hers. If an TheHorse.com | The HorseNovember 201819'