How old does a stallion have to be before he can cover a mare?

Question

I have a lovely little shetland stallion, he's about 18 months old.
My friend would like him to cover her 2 little mares.
I was told that my vet could do a blood test to see if he's ready for action, is this right?

Answer 1

Given the maturity rate of shetlands you may want to give him until next breeding season (typically from March - June) to cover the mares. I am not sure how much you know about breeding but it is best for the babies to be born in the spring time; late babies face difficulties with cold weather when they're born in the fall and their survival rate is not as high as a spring baby.
The thing you may want to consider is this: why are you breeding him? What does he have to offer the breed? You may want to seek opinions on your stud regarding any potential flaws he may have.
Ultimately you are going to do what you want but breeding horses is a science that should be done for the betterment of the breed/species and no other reason should take priority above that. If this horse has any health issues then you would probably not want to breed him.
Please don't be insulted by this answer but you did not specify your breeding background so I will continue. The other thing to think about is the way a stud acts when they are around a heated mare and how their personality may change once they have covered a mare. Be sure to do some research on what approaches you are going to take with the breeding. You will get less personality changes if you do a "controlled" breeding; use a leather halter and handle your stud when he mounts vs. letting the little boy in to run free and give a go as he pleases. As all things with horses - it should be when you please, not the other way around.
Please be sure that you are safe if you decide to breed him. But I also ask you to seriously think this through thoroughly and also do some investigating on the mares of your friend's. Backyard breeders are the scum of the horse world (breeding for their own benefit rather than the breed - and that's not to say that you are one either); when horses are bred it should be because they have something to offer the world - not because it seems like a good idea. There are enough unwanted horses in the world - don't contribute if you don't know what you're doing.

Answer 2

Shetland Stallions mature at a slower rate than normal horses and ponies, but all the same they are capable at six months old. Though as may be the case, the mares may go out of season, show signs of pregnancy, but then nothing happens, because they havn't been covered properly. An inexperienced stallion is more likely to annoy the mare who when in season is more irritable and jumpy, and may well get battered for his pains.

As regards to the vet, yes they can do a blood and semen test to see what the fertility rate is, but then they can also do the same with the mares to see what the sperm to ovary compatibility is. This takes time and the vet will advise that the covering does not happen until the results are out, during which time a lot or worrying and banging of heads against the door happens. By the time the tests come out, the mares may have gone out of season, so you have to wait until the next one.

This is however if you plan to take the stallion to the mare, on the best date of conception. If you run the stallion, with the mares for a few weeks, then the mares will get to know him, and tutor him accordingly, and when ready, allow him to mate properly. This ensures a proper conception and the chances are, better foals and more likely outcome.

At 18 months old, the stallion is capable, but if its a case of the mares are not yet in season. then running him with them now, ready for when they do, then he has time to do a bit of wooing and growing up.

Answer 3

In this modern age of frozen specimens, there is really no need for your horse to ever come into contact with a mare. You could just collect from him when the time is right and prevent any contact and the aggravation that comes along with it. Collecting would be much better avenue to take. I don't mean to be unkind but if you have to ask these kinds of questions, it does not indicate that you are a knowledgeable person relative to such matters and therefore should not be dabbling in them. If you were to breed your stallion to a mare, it seems you would not have the knowledge to complete the meeting without someone getting really hurt. An owner of an expensive quality mare is not going to bring his mare to someone who doesn't know what they are doing and that is just fact. I agree with all that Ron says. 400K is nothing. This horse has a long way to go to prove himself if he is to be considered to be eligible to play with the big boys in QH breeding. He may be an excellent horse with good attitude, but those are not the most desired qualifications. I doubt if anyone but you would think he "deserves" to bred. That is more than a bit arrogant coming from a totally unproven baby. You could continue to try to develop him but you would have to work hard at having him enter and win every possible competition. Even then, you will run a 98% chance of him making a wonderful gelding eventually. That is a wide margin but is likely the truth of the matter when you look at the big picuture. That is not saying you might breed him to mares belonging to locals or friends but that won't get him in the breeding roster.

Answer 4

Depends on the stud- we have had some colts gelded at 6 months because they were starting to penetrate mares. Others, that we wanted to keep as studs, didn't mature enough until 4-5 yrs to realize what they are supposed to do.

It is very taxing to breed a young stud- horomone and physical wise, but if you only breed 2 mares,it won't harm him.

you can get a blood test done to check horomone levels, but a cheaper way is to just bring the mares out- hold the mares and the stud- see if he knows what to do. If he doesn't- he isn't ready to breed yet.

Answer 5

He is probably plenty old enough, but its far too late this year now. Mares gestate for 11 months so cover the mares so you get foals in time for the spring grass. Most mares have stopped cycling now, and even if they are are unlikely to concieve. My mare had a foal by an 11 month old colt.

Answer 6

Agree with Cryst. Very thoughtful and informed answer.

If you "run him with the mares" you risk him being seriously injured by a mare who isn't ready. A stallion with broken front legs (or worse) isn't a pretty picture.

Beeding in hand is preferred to pasture breeding.

Answer 7

You don't need to draw blood. Your vet can collect him and look for "swimmers" under a microscope.

If you were in the US, I'd ask if you would consider selectively breed him only to lovely mares, as we have a huge overpopulation problem here. People just breed anything to anything and then wonder why their marginal foals don't sell. Is it like that in the UK?

Answer 8

A stallion can sire a foal from about being six months old, but the offspring would not amount to much, yours is probably old enough to father decent offspring. I don't think you need a vet, he'd most likely tell you the same as me

Answer 9

If he responds to a mare in heat than honey he's ready! No blood test needed unless you like wasting your money.

Answer 10

why would you want to add to the population which is out of control at the moment?......why? so more horses can die everyday because irresponsible people want to breed just for fun.....I think a horse should have to prove his or her self before they can go and make offsprings....like Zippo Pine Bar and Seabiscuit....