Mares, the essence of a breeding program !!
4 Feb 2024
Embarking on the journey of acquiring a young horse involves a delicate balance of considerations to ensure a fruitful partnership. This guide is crafted to offer valuable insights without overwhelming prospective buyers with details that might be distracting. Let's explore three broad considerations to guide your foal selection process, as well as, how we here at Stoeterij de Hoge Ginkel help prospective buyers with these aforementioned considerations.
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.....
Of course, the first consideration should be the initial purchase cost based on broad factors such as lineage and conformation. It sets the tone for a solid foundation without disclosing intricate pricing details. However, one of the benefits of buying a young horse is that it is cheaper than buying a riden horse and you have more control in the early stages of the horse's life where you can still steer certain behaviour and establish a work ethic.
After the purchasing cost should be thought towards caretaking, preparing for ongoing care expenses, including feed, veterinary care, and farrier services. A rough estimate helps buyers understand the commitment involved here, through extensive experience in keeping horses, can help to give an indication so that you can prepare for the financial commitment
Lastly, and not often considered, is that a ypoumng horse with great lineage and a good training regime can be an investment. Ridden horse that have competed professionally can end up fetching a great price if you, for whatever reason, decide to sell the horse later down the line.
To Wrap Up
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!
