Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

re: Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

dliebman@bloodhorse.com — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:37:39 GMT

Yes, it is common to breed a mare every year as long as she is capable. A veterinary issue may keep her from being bred; a late foaling date may cause her to miss a year. Otherwise, yes, they are breed every year.

re: Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

Ann in Lexington — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:34:21 GMT

Ronnie, in the wild the stallion repeatedly covers each of his mares every spring when she gets in heat. If she is healthy enough, she gets in foal; if she needs a break, she won't. With an 11.5 month (average) gestational period, she'll have them just about every year. Yearly foals is natural, not abuse.

re: Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

Rachel — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:13:56 GMT

One marker that will help breed a sounder horse: Don't breed to an unsound one to begin with...and I've got a top stallion in my mind right now that produces brilliant 2-year-olds but a lot of his 3-year olds breakdown... but the market will insist on using him...and his sons...and his daughters...and we'll be bummed as they retire as early 3 year-olds and we'll grieve when they don't survive their breakdowns, BUT we won't stop using them in the breeding shed.

re: Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

Ronnie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:33:25 GMT

I'm horse stupid, but love the animal. Is it commom to breed a mare every year? To me it seems excessive, but what do I know. Comment please.

re: Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

Kirsten — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:43:26 GMT

Right on. : )

re: Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

LadyValtaya — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:21:45 GMT

Definitely not. Breeding isn't an exact science. There have been too many high dollar sale horses that never even see the racetrack much less finish an actual race. This proves that no one has the exact formula for churning out winners.

The best you can do is breed the best mares to the best stallions and hope you get one that not only can run, but one that WANTS to run!!

re: Inexact Science - By Dan Liebman

nyfalcon — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:17:44 GMT

this is codswallop!!! there is no way to check for a speed gene(imho) it seems so silly . breed graded winners to graded winners and you will find that most of the time you will get a foal that will win a graded race. the old breed the best to the best and hope for the best, also breed 2 rival stallions example the dr fager damascus cross or the easy goer sunday silence cross that works too!