Runninghorses.net Forum

What are your opinons on breeding a 2 1/2 yr old filly?? Granted it's healthy and not tiny.[grin]

I wouldn't breed anything until at least 4, but that's just me.  I guess I want to give my kids a chance to grow up before having that stress.  There's alot of issues that can arrise with their maiden foal, and at such a young age, it never helps anything.  But if you think she's healthy enough, at least have  a vet check her before you breed her.

Oh, and welcome to Runninghorses.net!  :)

Well I am assuming that your 2 1/2 year old was born late in 2002?  Technically she is now 3 and that is an acceptable age to start breeding, but you must realize that this filly is still doing some growing herself and will require a little more in the way of feed/supplements because of it.  I know several breeders that breed that young and I bred a daughter of Rene Dan Jet as a 3 yr old.  Those foals tend to be a little smaller when they are born but they will develop okay as long as you take care of them and mama during and for at least the first 3 months after the pregnancy

I bred my paint mare at three. She did fine and her baby is my avatar picture. He is doing well also. I had real reservations about doing it since I thought she was young and knew she was not done growing. The situation came up because her mother became to ill for the breeding that was already booked and paid for and the stud owner said I could bring her instead. I have not noticed Comet having any lasting problems because of it and bred her again two years later and got another wonderful colt. Allot depends on the mare herself. I would say look at each mare individually and decide from there what you think would be best for her. I know of several breeders who breed at three. (know a few that breed at two, but IMO that is too young)
Good luck with her.

Hey alisha. have you got any of my IM's???????  I have gave you like two in the past week. [frown]

I completly agree. 4 is the youngest I would breed a mare.