You bred your mare almost a year ago, 340 days to be exact, and have been waiting patiently. You have given her all of her pre-foaling vaccinations, adjusted her diet, and prepared a warm, well bedded stall. Everything is just right! So what can possibly go wrong? Well, most likely nothing. Mares foal uneventfully about 90% of the time, but when things do go south, they do so very quickly. So every mare owner needs to be prepared for the potential circumstance when things do go wrong.

Blanny Hagenah of Avalon Appaloosas has been breeding all-around Appaloosas for nearly 30 years. Horses have always been in her life but while she was living in the Pacific Northwest she became interested in the “Nez Perce” horses. The Nez Perce horse is a spotted horse breed of the Nez Perce tribe of Idaho whose conformation is longer and leaner than the typical Quarter Horse or other stock horses. They were a popular, colorful breed which was well known for their kind disposition, soundness and versatility. Over the years her breeding program has transformed into producing good-looking colored Appaloosas and colored Sporthorses with correct conformation which can succeed in a variety of disciplines.

Nicole Webster works alongside Dr. Justin Ritthaler at Weatherford Equine Breeding Center (WEBC), an SBS Affiliate Lab, in Weatherford, Texas. Due to her father’s military service her family had an opportunity to live in California and Germany as well as many places in between. All of the moving around didn’t allow her to have horses while she was growing up. However, her parents did all they could to support her interest in horses.

Master Snapper (pictured left) has returned to Italy for the 2016 breeding season after having spent the past nine breeding seasons in the United States. When asked why he decided to bring him back to Italy, Mr. Robert Cuoghi the owner of Master Snapper, said, “After he spent his entire breeding carrier in the USA, I want to enjoy his presence at my farm and to make him more easily available for the European Breeders.” Which is why he will stand at Mr. Cuoghi’s breeding farm in Vignola, Italy.

It's best to prepare for breeding season before it arrives. Our library of news and blog articles can be a great resource for the new or experienced breeder, whether you have one mare or stallion, or manage the operations of a larger breeding farm. Here we will review our articles which encompass the subjects of breeding mares and stallions as well as their nutritional considerations.  For additional information on the topics of pregnant and foaling mares as well as foaling and foal care visit Preparing for Foaling Season.