Mares, the essence of a breeding program !!
4 Feb 2024
High-quality mares are the backbone of any successful horse breeding program. They should possess traits as excellent conformation, strong locomotion, good temperament, and a proven sport pedigrees. Their genetic background, health, and reproductive soundness are crucial factors contributing to a program's success. Selecting mares with strong bloodlines and traits that complement the chosen stallion enhances the likelihood of producing foals with superior attributes. On a daily basis a solid breeding program ofcourse focuses on the overall well-being of the mares, ensuring optimal conditions for conception, gestation, and foaling. In essence, high-quality mares lay the foundation for the development of top-tier offspring with the potential for success in various equine activities.
Mares in crossbreeding....
Mares are known to have a great influence on their the ofspring. It is often said that their stamp is actually 60% , outweighing the stallion. Using top Iberian mares in warmblood crossbreeding programs is therefor vital! Iberian breeds are known for specific characteristics that can enhance warmblood attributes, but they could ofcourse also limit the quality of the ofspring. Therefor we at Stoeterij de Hoge Ginkel, pay enourmous attention to 1. **Temperament:** Our Iberian mares possess a proven and tested calm and intelligent temperament. Introducing these traits into warmblood lines can result in horses that are not only athletic but also trainable and adaptable. 2. **Classic Dressage Ability:** Iberian horses are renowned for their excellence in classical dressage. Utilizing top Iberian mares that stem from Grand Prix Iberian sires, can enhance the dressage potential of warmblood offspring, bringing collection, and precision to their movements. 3. **Versatility:** Iberian breeds are versatile and perform in various equestrian disciplines. Incorporating these versatile traits can re-introduce some 'all-roundness' in warmbloods'. The crossbreds can probably participate in disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, and even eventing. However, Iberian mares can ofcourse also degrade or harm the strengths and goals of a warmblood breeding program. It is therefor crucial to only use proven quality Iberian bloodlines and have the mares assesed by critical warmblood breeding judges. We asked the Oldenburger Verband to come and judge and score all our Iberian mares, on their suitability as crossbreed mares, as if they were warmbloods.
All our Iberian mares accepted in Oldenburger's Verband main studbook!!
After a day of thoughtfull inspections the judges of the Oldenburger Verband accepted all 5 of our mares into their Main Studbook!! Which means that they are actually Oldenburger mares and their offspring out of any warmblood stallion, wil be accpeted as an Oldenburger foal and have an Olbenburger passport. That was a festive day!! In our breeding program we were already focussing on German horses, because of their level headed characters, we will mostly use German stallions from now on.
But..... the proof of the pudding is in the eating.....
If one of our mares would, despite all our careful selections, produce a slightly dissapointing foal, we will give her a second chance the next year, perhaps even a 3rd year. But, as breeders, we should then be consistent, if the mare does not seem to pass on the traits that we hoped, she should continue her life as a riding horse. We year round ride all our mares, primarely to get to know them, but also to keep this option open...... if splitting ways turns out to be the wisest thing to do. Breeding is an enourmous joy, it is all about caring, loving, thinking, spending time, setting priorities, coping with set backs and in the end making choices. In the end........nothing beats the whinny of a proud mare that has contact with her foal the first seconds after giving birth to it....
Also pay attention to the mare part of the pedigree!
In buying horses, people tend to focus on the stallions in the pedigre. Which is logic as the are more well known. But if you have some time, look at the mare part too. It could give you some valuable information!
