Would it be possible to breed a Miniature stallion to a full size mare?

Question

I have a stunning Mini Pinto stallion, and recently I have had a few enquiries about breeding him to larger mares to get nice coloured pony foals.
Obviously the height difference would make it difficult, but I have heard of people using pits etc to put the mare in so that the stallion can reach.
So, other than the size difference (he is 10hh), if he was able to breed to a mare that is around 14-15hh (small Thoroughbred), would the foal be born normal?
Has anyone ever heard of any cases of a foal being born from a stallion and mare that are 4 or 5 hands different in height? (I'd love links to websites!)

Okay let me just say that AI is not an option. Not only is it a waste of money when I have a perfectly sound, live stallion in my paddock, but I am offering my stallion at such a cheap stud fee, that the kind of people that are interested in breeding their mares to him would not be able to afford, nor justify it.

Also, as I already said, it isn't the physical mating that I was asking about. I wanted to know whether the foal would be born "normal" enough to be used as a riding pony.

IN RESPONSE TO PAINT PONY'S ANSWER:
My pony stallion is "stunning", but I am offering him so cheaply because he cannot make a name for himself in the show circuits because I rescued him from an abused home in December last year and because he has come from an abused home he is now too frightened to take out of his own environment. He has well known imported bloodlines, and has produced some beautiful foals, and I expect some more from him next year, which should go on to make some top competition mini horses.

I didn't ask to be lectured in "backyard breeding", I just asked if a mini x full size horse would be born normal.

Please stick to the question at hand and not get side tracked with your own agenda.

Answer 1

sure it's entirely possible in fact the only hard part is teaching him how to climb the ladder

Answer 2

Well the size difference isnt too bad, could be worse, the mare could be a bigger sized TB..
I think that if your stallion is a mini the foal may be smaller than the mare when it is older, because the father is. It may not be as small but probably somewhere inbetween. Either that or it will have the mares size and stallions looks/temperament. There isnt a reason why the foal wouldnt be born normal if both parents are healthy.
Can't say i've heard of that sort of difference in height but i guess anything is possible!

Answer 3

I know that AI is not an option in your mind, however, it is the easiest way - there is no other way that i know of - unless you can rig something up that the stallion is standing on some sort of platform behind the mare so that he can reach. As far as the normalcy of the foal - it should come out as healthy as any other baby. The height is of course a hard thing to determine - if i'm not mistaken, the sire has more to do with it than the dam, but that's coming from the recesses of my mind. It's a genetic thing, just like coat colour. the shorter the mare you breed to the more likely you are going to get a pony.

Answer 4

Yep, totally possible.
Use a ramp or a natural earth depression.
I have even seen mares lie down so the stallion can reach.
Try some different techniques to find one that will keep you, your stallion, and the mare out of danger. Ramps, if not secure, can tip or move, so be careful.
As for the foal being normal, you shouldn't have a problem. But, you will really have to look at the foals and make sure they are a good enough quality to keep breeding in that situation. The foals should be healthy, but might have some conformational issues (large head, short cannon bones, etc.)
Good luck and be safe.

Answer 5

on condition that she is laying down, lol, even in spite of the shown fact that it is somewhat attainable. I quite have a draft mare and mutually as we stored her on the vet (doing AI breeding) there replaced right into a mini stallion that have been given loose and tried to reproduce her- stored leaping up and the undesirable guy could no longer make it previous her knees. replaced into exhibiting off so actual- and my mare thoroughly skipped over him, lol.

Answer 6

Yes, It's possible. I have a friend who breeds draft mares to a donkey. He has a ramp for the donkey to climb up and then simply backs the mare up to the ramp. I would think AI would be prohibitively expensive just to breed a handful of grade ponys. Realistically, I doubt people would be willing to bear the cost of AI.

Answer 7

People don't AI because they don't have sound healthy equines.- most top breeders use AI to protect their horses and the other horses they are breeding from being hurt. In this case I would say if you don't want your little guy to be kicked or trampled on- AI. If a mare gets agitated or nervous of such a smaller animal being behind her she could potentially hurt herself trying to get away or hurt your little guy in the process.

Answer 8

Please allow me to respond to another post - what is wrong with "backyard breeders?" If your stud is "stunning," that doesn't mean he must be shown or should command a high stud fee.
If people want to breed to him, he must be nice, and I don't see the problem, if you can get around the diffference in height.
I have a friend who has an awesome buckskin mini stallion. His sire is a grey Appaloosa mini, and I've considered breeding my Appaloosa mare to him. (She's 15 hands).

Answer 9

artificial insemination would be your best option and most practical, just chat to your vet about it. i dont know tons about breeding but i dont think there would be a problem with the foal, try checking out breed websites for your miniature breed to find others who may have done it.
good luck