Mating Strategies

There is no one method of breeding that guarantees success - or all breeders would be using it. If every spectacular mare or stallion reproduced all their traits in an offspring - breeding would be easy. 

We need a multi faceted approach using all the tools at our disposal for selective breeding in the quest to breed better horses.  

Remembering that all we can do is raise the probability of breeding a top horse, the experts say to:

1. Learn your mare's pedigree which is the map of her genetics. 

 Note any duplications   on both sides of her pedigree  (if any) . This is how you   determine what her genetic strengths are. If she only has duplications on one side, then note those down.

2. Define your breeding goal for each mare. Perhaps you want to breed a filly to keep or a stallion prospect, or a foal to sell, or a horse to ride yourself.   Research any bloodlines that she has, or that you want to add into the mating -  to help you reach that goal. Having a definite goal for each mare also helps to refine stallion choices and keep the  lid on impulse choices from flash stallions seen on social media

3.  Each mare requires something different -  she may need linebreeding, inbreeding or outcrossing.  Find a stallion who can build on your mare's genetic strengths for any of these methods  - who will increase the lines of superior sport individuals in your foals.  Come up with a short list of stallions that are genetically compatible to your mare.

4. Include multiple line breedings and inbreeding to several superior ancestors - typically from 3rd to - 7th  generations - and further out in warmbloods as they are not a closed stud book. If you have an inbred mare, an outcross may be needed.

5.  Sex balance these lines - have a bloodline coming through a son and a daughter.  If your mare has excellent stallions in her pedigree, find a stallion that brings in daughters of the line - and any sisters or three-quarter relatives. If your mare has important female lines find a stallion that can bring in sons or brothers of that line.

6. Make sure to reinforce any inbreedings or linebreedings by using a stallion that has independent lines of the parents or grand parents.

7.  Include where possible sons and daughters of powerful mares in pedigrees. Duplications of two or more progeny of mares  seem to carry far more weight than the same in stallions.

8.  Always try to include siblings or three-quarter relatives in the engine room of a pedigree.

9. Once you have a shortlist of genetically suitable stallion candidates - then focus on the equally important issues of conformation and type, temperament and rideability -  breed to strengthen strengths in the mare and weaken weaknesses.

10. Genetics being what they are - it can be a good idea to repeat the mating a couple of times to get the best result.

These strategies involve a combination of the many topics covered on this website. Starting with genetics, through to balanced breeding, pedigree structure, and evaluation of the individual in front of us.