Breeding horses can be beneficial for families especially those keeping livestock because horses can reach places fast without difficulty manoeuvring even in forests.

What Spooks Horses?

 Just like all animals, even horses are afraid and spooked so be very careful and cautious with their behaviour.

Let us look at some of the things that scare and spook horses;

Plastic bags – horses are spooked when plastic bags are let go because they think a predator is trying to attack them. The horse will run around until they get tired and stop a while to catch a breath.

 Dragon flies – these can pose danger and injury to trail riders.

Snakes – it is not easy to quickly notice a snake wherever it is moving, so horses have natural instinct to run away.

Umbrella – horses are spooked when an umbrella is opened.

Here are other few things to lookout for when keeping horses and ensure they are not spooked  and scared; puddles, traffic cones, patting, shoeing, putting them in stable, mice , pigs and many more.

So be sure to vigilant to horse movements then you will know if they are spooked or scared because they can be dangerous to be around.

As a horse breeder, know how to calm your horse and what to say to your horse when this is triggered. Horses don’t fight they just run away.

Horse Communication

Horses communicate in many ways, including visual displays, sounds and even through smell. Understanding how a horse communicates is important for three reasons:

1. Diagnosis of medical problems – Learning how a horse behaves when it is sick is important not only so you will know it needs attention, but also because certain behaviours are linked with specific problems.
3. Naturally, a veterinarian or other experienced person may need to be called upon for more detailed information, but it is never too soon for a young person to start learning to tell the difference between normal, healthy behaviour and the behaviour of sick animals.

• Assessment of Emotional State or Temperament – As your experience and skill in assessing horse behaviour increases, you will find that you can “read” a horse’s emotional state.
• This knowledge can be applied when assessing how “friendly “a new or unknown horse is, or it can be used to tell if a horse you ride every day is in an unusual mood or is experiencing emotional difficulty.
• Sometimes a horse is reacting to the presence of another animal, or it can be related to something as simple as the weather.

• Safety – Horses usually communicate a warning before they cause harm. Learning the communication signals — ears back, head lowered, teeth bared, turning into a “kicking” position, tail swishing, etc.— that warn of danger are important in avoiding harm.
• Nervous or “jumpy” behaviour can possibly be as danger. Horses can often display aggressive behaviour when being fed.
• Unfamiliar situations such as boarding a trailer can make horses jumpy and nervous as aggressiveness.
• Learn to recognize the signals that could result in harm, whether it comes from the horse you are riding or one that is being ridden by someone else in your vicinity.

Types of Horse Breeds

With the wide range of horse breed types, new horse owners would have to know which horses are human friendly and are easy to care for. Some breeds have delicate skin and when grooming them, they require gentle care otherwise if uniformed of how the horse is to be groomed can cause injuries to the new owner.

Let us view human friendly and gentle horse breeds that can be kept;

• American Quarter Horse – this horse breed is used to cut cattle from herds as they are fast starting, turning and stopping. Cowboys consider this breed their favourite amongst other horses.
• Morgan Horse – they are stylish and attractive horses with smooth lines, small ears, expressive eyes and a nicely crested neck. This breed is versatile for horse riding, farm labour and pulling carriages.
• Appaloosa – this horse is known for its colourful spotted coat pattern. Mottling on the skin is particularly visible around the eyes and muzzle. They are used ideally for leisure riding and trail riding.
• Arabian Horse – this is one of the fastest horse breeds in the world, often used as endurance horses because they can sustain decent speeds of 40 miles per hour for an extended period of time.

American Paint Horse, Kentucky Mountain Saddle, Clydesdale, Missouri Fox Trotter Horse, Norwegian Fjord and Connemara Pony is some of the friendliest and gentle horses that a beginner can try to keep.

Live Cover

Live cover breeding method is performed in two basic ways which is pasture breeding and hand breeding. This is considered to be a better way of breeding to have the mare and stallion be in the same pasture though unintended injuries may occur through kicking, biting or pawing.

• Pasture Breeding – in this method, the stallion is turned loose in a pasture with the mare(s) the owner wants him to breed. Pasture breeding is considered the most natural breeding method because it does not require human assistance.  

• Hand breeding – this method requires at least two handlers one to control the mare and one to control the stallion. While one handler steadies the mare, the other handler allows the stallion to mount the mare for breeding. How To Raise Horse. Breeding hobbles are often placed on the mare to protect the stallion from kicking. Many times, the stallion is muzzled or a thick neck drape is placed on the mare to protect her from biting.

Know Your Horse (Dna Testing)

Identification of horses sometimes requires more than a photograph and a breeding certificate. To know the horse you are breeding at least find out their genetically identification, or genotype using DNA test.

This method, which examines DNA from the roots of the horse’s mane or tail hair, provides more accurate results of a horse’s genetic type than does blood typing, and hairs can be extracted more easily than can blood.

Methods of Breeding Horses Based on Pedigrees

There are two main methods of breeding horses and these are; linebreeding and outcrossing. Understanding and differentiating the two is an easy task.

• Linebreeding or inbreeding – is mating of animals directed towards keeping the offspring closely related to some higher admired ancestor such as half-sister and half-brother, grandsire, and cousins.  Often, the most consistent results in this program are obtained when the outcrossing stallion is a strongly linbred individual himself.

• Outcrossing is mating of animals that are members of the same breed but which show no relationships close up in the pedigree.
• Outcrossing can be highly successful whereby dominant and genetically breeds have a consistent ability to sire carbon copy replicas of themselves out of a wide variety of mares.

Here are ten frequently asked questions from beginners interested in horse breeding, with clear and practical answers.

---

1. Is my horse good enough to breed?

This is the most important first question. A horse being “nice” is not a sufficient reason for breeding.

• Answer: Be brutally honest. Breeding should aim to improve the breed, not just create more horses. Consider:
  • Conformation: Does the horse have excellent structure with no significant flaws that could be passed on?
  • Temperament: Is the horse sane, sensible, and willing? A bad temperament is highly heritable.
  • Performance: Has the horse proven itself in its discipline (e.g., showing, racing, trail riding)?
  • Health: Is the horse free from genetic disorders? A pre-breeding veterinary exam is essential.

2. How much does it actually cost?

Beginners often underestimate the financial commitment, focusing only on the stud fee.

• Answer: Costs are significant and ongoing. They include:
  • Stud Fee: Can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.
  • Mare Care: Boarding at the breeding facility, which includes special feed and monitoring.
  • Veterinary Costs: Pre-breeding exams, ultrasounds, vaccinations, and potential complications.
  • AI Costs: If using artificial insemination, include semen collection, shipping, and supplies.
  • Foaling Care: Vet on standby, specialized foaling stall, post-birth checks.
  • Post-Birth: Feed for the mare, foal vaccinations, farrier visits, and eventually, weaning and training.

3. What are the risks involved?

Breeding is not without danger for both the mare and the foal.

• Answer: Risks are real and should be taken seriously.
  • To the Mare: Dystocia (difficult birth), uterine tears, infection (endometritis), and reduced future performance.
  • To the Foal: Stillbirth, birth defects, failure to receive colostrum, and injuries shortly after birth.
  • Financial Risk: The mare may not get pregnant, or the foal may not meet your expectations, making it a financial loss.

4. Natural Cover vs. Artificial Insemination (AI): Which is better for a beginner?

• Answer:Artificial Insemination (AI) is often recommended for beginners.
  • AI is safer as it eliminates the risk of injury to the mare and stallion during mating. It also allows you to use stallions from anywhere in the world via shipped semen. It requires more precise timing and veterinary involvement.
  • Natural Cover is often cheaper and can have a slightly higher conception rate for some mares, but it requires both horses to be at the same facility and carries a higher risk of injury.

5. How long is a horse’s pregnancy?

• Answer: The average gestation period for a mare is approximately 340 days (around 11 months). However, this is just an average. It is perfectly normal for a pregnancy to last anywhere from 320 to 365 days. A foal born before 320 days is considered premature and will need intensive veterinary care.

6. What should I look for when choosing a stallion?

Don’t just pick a stallion because he’s nearby or pretty.

• Answer: Look for a stallion that complements your mare and corrects her weaknesses.
  • Complementary Traits: If your mare is a powerful jumper but a bit hot, choose a stallion known for a calm temperament.
  • Proven Record: Look at his competition record and, more importantly, the quality and performance of his previous offspring.
  • Health & Fertility: Ensure he has a high fertility rate and is tested clear for any genetic diseases relevant to the breed.

7. What is a “Broodmare” and what special care does she need?

A broodmare is a mare used for breeding.

• Answer: She needs specialized management:
  • Nutrition: She must be at a healthy body condition (not too fat or thin) before breeding. Her nutritional needs will increase significantly during late pregnancy and lactation.
  • Vaccinations & Deworming: A strict schedule must be followed to protect both her and the unborn foal.
  • Exercise: Light, regular exercise is important to keep her fit and healthy throughout the pregnancy.

8. Do I need to be present for the birth?

• Answer: It is highly advisable, especially for a first-time breeder. Most mares foal at night. While they often prefer to do it alone and undisturbed, being able to monitor via a foaling camera is the best practice. This allows you to watch for signs of trouble and call the vet immediately if the birth is not progressing normally. You should not intervene unless absolutely necessary.

9. What happens right after the foal is born?

• Answer: The first few hours are critical.
  1. The Umbilical Cord: It should break on its own. You should then dip the foal’s navel in a dilute chlorhexidine solution to prevent infection.
  2. Breathing: Ensure the foal is breathing and clear any membranes from its nose.
  3. Standing and Nursing: The foal should stand and nurse within the first 2-4 hours. This first milk, called colostrum, is vital as it provides the foal with antibodies for immunity.
  4. The Placenta: The mare should pass the placenta (afterbirth) within 3 hours. If she doesn’t, it’s a veterinary emergency.

10. Am I prepared for the long-term responsibility?

This is the biggest question of all.

• Answer: Breeding a horse is a 4+ year commitment.
  • Year 1: Pregnancy.
  • Year 2: Raising the foal, teaching it to lead, accept a halter, and have its feet handled.
  • Year 3 & 4: More advanced ground training and, eventually, starting the horse under saddle.
    You are responsible for creating a safe, well-trained, and socialized individual. You must also have a plan for the foal’s future, whether you keep it, sell it, or lease it.