Do you ever stop to think that behind the horse you ride with such joy every day—whether it’s for jumping, cuddling, or endless trail rides—there’s a passionate breeder who laid the foundation for your champion?
Breeding your own horse, raising a foal, and training it, is the most exciting, fascinating, and intensive journey you can undertake. A journey that, when successful, creates an unbreakable bond with your horse.
Choosing the Stallion
The breeder’s journey begins with selecting a suitable stallion. With so many options available, making the right choice is far from easy. The process can take hours or even days, involving visits to stallion shows and inspections, analyzing pedigrees, watching videos of offspring, and comparing your mare’s breeding values with those of the potential stallions.
Personally, I start with 3–5 stallions that catch my eye. After carefully weighing all the pros and cons, I usually narrow it down to one or two that I feel are the best fit for my mare. Ultimately, I choose the stallion I have the strongest “connection” with.
Once the stallion is chosen, it’s a waiting game for the mare’s first heat. With good veterinary support and a little luck, she may conceive on the first attempt. Unfortunately, this ideal scenario doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, it takes several months, and in the worst case, she doesn’t conceive at all, meaning you’ll have to try again the following year.
The Long Wait
Yes, the mare is pregnant, and now the waiting begins. If all goes according to plan, the pregnancy will last 11 months—plenty of time to prepare for the foal’s arrival and choose the perfect name.
Proper Nutrition
During pregnancy, providing the mare with the right nutrition is essential for her health and that of the unborn foal. Ideally, she spends 24/7 in the pasture during spring and summer, enjoying ample fresh grass. When autumn comes, and she moves back to the stable, I provide high-quality hay or silage, supplemented with basic feed pellets/muesli mixed with alfalfa. From the 7th month of pregnancy, as the foal experiences its most significant growth, monitoring the mare’s weight becomes critical. About two months before foaling, I switch to mare-specific feed and continue this until she and the foal return to the pasture.
The Final Stretch
The final weeks are the hardest, not just for the mare but also for the breeder. It’s a period of sleepless nights and careful preparation because you want your dream foal to be born healthy. A mare’s labor progresses quickly—most foals are born within 15–20 minutes after the water breaks. This means being well-prepared to act swiftly if complications arise.
I ensure that my camera system and foaling alarm are functioning properly and keep my veterinarian’s phone number on speed dial. As the due date approaches, I watch educational videos on potential complications, such as red bag deliveries. These aren’t fun to watch, but I trust they help me stay calm in case something goes wrong. Additionally, I’ve assembled my own foaling kit. Curious about its contents? Click here to see what’s inside.
The Birth
The long-awaited moment finally arrives: the birth. As soon as the foal is born, I check its breathing and movement. The umbilical cord usually breaks naturally, but I disinfect the stump carefully to prevent infection. Within an hour, the foal should attempt to stand and nurse, which is crucial for absorbing antibodies from the colostrum.
Raising the Foal
The first months are critical for the foal’s development. I focus on socialization, ensuring the foal grows up well-adjusted and ready for its future.
X-rays and Veterinary Inspections
At 2.5 years old, I have X-rays taken to assess the horse’s quality. These, combined with evaluations of movement, character, and conformation, help me determine its value and future path—whether for breeding, sport, recreation, or sale. A clinical examination is essential before training begins. Minor findings on X-rays aren’t a reason for me to stop training, provided the horse is clinically sound. Many performing horses with one or more remarks on the X-rays have overcome such challenges, even the ones at top-level.
Training and Breaking In
Training begins early as a foal. I start with lifting feet, grooming and getting used to being led on a halter. At 2.5 years old, I introduce short, 10–15 minute sessions once or twice a week, focusing on groundwork and lunging. The horse gradually becomes accustomed to wearing a bit, using auxiliary reins, and carrying a saddle. By spring, at around 3 years old, I complete the breaking-in process and introduce the horse to a rider. After this 8-month period, the horse enjoys a well-deserved summer break in the pasture. Training resumes in the fall, and by the age of 4, the horse is ready for its competition debut or sale.
The End of the Journey
A well-trained horse that I’ve bred and raised myself is the crowning achievement of my work as a breeder. It’s an intensive and slow process, but incredibly rewarding, creating a deep bond with my horses. And when a new owner enjoys the horse I’ve bred at their own level, it fills me with pride. That’s where my journey as a breeder ends—a special experience that every horse lover should have at least once in their life.
Sabine Smit
Explore the jumping and dressage foals for sale from my colleague breeders and start your journey here!
Would you like to assemble a foaling kit? Purchase your supplies at Agradi and receive a 5% discount with the code veulentekoop5.
Comments