mini horses - breeding

[floridaGirl13]

We have a mini stud who is technically a dwarf mini stud, and we recently got a mini mare who is standard mini size. We have little to no information on them as they were purchased from places that just thought of them as an adorable income. We believe the mare is 1+ yrs old and the stud is 5+yrs old. Well... spring is in the air and our little stud muffin is quite well aware of it. They are turned out together and he has mounted her several times already lol can't blame him though she is really cute. I've heard the gestation period for minis is the same as full size horses, anyone know if this is true? I know they are more susceptible to complications with birthing, and the stud is splay footed so I'm not sure if that increases the risk factor during birth. we aren't sure if our little girl is sexually mature yet but if she is then. We should be expecting a mini foal next spring. Anyone know anything, anything at all about mini breeding/birthing? Please and thank you!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Just my opinion here, but if the filly is just over a year that's young - awfully young. And a dwarf stallion? Most folks would tell you that they should not procreate.... You've already said he's splay footed, so why perpetuate that?

Of course, they are your animals and you have final say. If you believe she's already bred - just count the months (yes, same as standard size horses) and try really hard to be on hand at the birth, because as you noted mini's have more foaling problems.

Hope I didn't disappoint you with my answer.

 

[floridaGirl13]

Not at all!! In the contrary, thank you very much. To be honest we didn't think he could... reach. Concidering the size difference and also, excuse my bluntness I just don't know how else to put it, his "manhood" curves towards his tail when he drops out. The few times we've witnessed him "in action" he can't quite reach and the one time that he did, that we witnessed, he only just barely made it. And she peed Immediately afterward. So we never expected them to be able to procreate. I guessed we underestimated him. I'm just looking for any advice pertaining to minis pregnancy and birthing, just in case. Also, they do not belong to us, you could say that we(my husband and I) are their care takers.

 

[GLENMAR]

Sounds like she got bred. All my mares peed afterward too. I hope everything turns out ok.

 

[floridaGirl13]

My boss has had the stud for about 5 yrs or so and we all love him to pieces. He is, in fact, the only stud on the property and he is quite well aware of it. As I've never bred horses before I, personally, am not sure what to expect. I have been present for 1 birth but that was my QH mare when I was 9! Minis are still new to me. I honestly thought they would be easier to handle than full size horses, boy was I wrong lol

 

[Bunnylady]

Most of the miniature horse people that I know consider it the height of irresponsibility to knowingly breed a dwarf. They are trying very hard to get dwarfism out of the gene pool; throwing a dwarf foal has been the reason for gelding some really, really gorgeous, show-winning studs. Splay footedness is just the beginning; there are so may possible defects associated with dwarfism; some dwarf foals are so deformed they cannot survive, others live in pain their entire lives. Meeting the nutritional needs of dwarfs can be a real challenge, as their digestive systems are often affected by the same genes causing dwarfism. Almost all dwarfs have bite problems (requiring frequent dental procedures), some foals are born with such severely undershot jaws that they can't nurse.

I'm assuming that your boss is simply ignorant of the full range of possible problems here, rather than them being this careless about their animals. Like most horses, minis continue to grow for about 4-5 years; a filly that is only 2 years old will still be growing and probably still have a fairly narrow pelvis. Giving birth to a normal foal would probably be difficult, but since dwarfs often have disproportionately large heads and thick bodies, the odds of real problems coming up during delivery rise astronomically.

I've been a member of the Marestare forum for many years. Having watched many, many mature miniature mares bred to normal stallions get into difficulties (several of which resulted in the death of the mare) cured me of any ideas I may have had about breeding miniature horses. I have minis, and I love them, but risking my girls' lives to give birth to a deformed foal? No way!

 

[promiseacres]

Best advice is to keep them seperate and prevent another breeding. U can get a shot to abort the possible foal from a vet. But if u are ok with the possible foal having deformaties plus possible birthing issues with that young of a filly....keep track of your days and start watching for a foal @ 300 days. Some minis will foal earlier than standard mares but not all. Most mini breeders consider 330 days average (vs 340). Hope it works out for the best. Maybe u can talk the owner into gelding the little guy as he will be happier without as much frustration. Unfortunately. There is an overabundance of minis and most people don't want to pay much for one even with training or good breeding I love mine but now only have 3 for my own family's pleasure.

 

[MDres]

Most of the miniature horse people that I know consider it the height of irresponsibility to knowingly breed a dwarf. They are trying very hard to get dwarfism out of the gene pool; throwing a dwarf foal has been the reason for gelding some really, really gorgeous, show-winning studs. Splay footedness is just the beginning; there are so may possible defects associated with dwarfism; some dwarf foals are so deformed they cannot survive, others live in pain their entire lives. Meeting the nutritional needs of dwarfs can be a real challenge, as their digestive systems are often affected by the same genes causing dwarfism. Almost all dwarfs have bite problems (requiring frequent dental procedures), some foals are born with such severely undershot jaws that they can't nurse.

I'm assuming that your boss is simply ignorant of the full range of possible problems here, rather than them being this careless about their animals. Like most horses, minis continue to grow for about 4-5 years; a filly that is only 2 years old will still be growing and probably still have a fairly narrow pelvis. Giving birth to a normal foal would probably be difficult, but since dwarfs often have disproportionately large heads and thick bodies, the odds of real problems coming up during delivery rise astronomically.

I've been a member of the Marestare forum for many years. Having watched many, many mature miniature mares bred to normal stallions get into difficulties (several of which resulted in the death of the mare) cured me of any ideas I may have had about breeding miniature horses. I have minis, and I love them, but risking my girls' lives to give birth to a deformed foal? No way!

I agree completely. I have owned minis. One of my friends and clients is a National caliber mini breeder and trainer. Her minis sell for thousands and thousands of dollars. She has written and published several books on breeding, raising and training minis, and she STILL has problems at birthing time. Breeding minis is wayyy more complicated than full-size horses.

I am a firm believer that no horse should be bred unless it has merit and has proven itself. Your stud should be gelded, and your mare should have been allowed to mature and be proven worthy of breeding before ever being exposed to a stud. To have them both in a pen together to breed willy-nilly is completely ignorant and pointless.

 

[floridaGirl13]

Most of the miniature horse people that I know consider it the height of irresponsibility to knowingly breed a dwarf. They are trying very hard to get dwarfism out of the gene pool; throwing a dwarf foal has been the reason for gelding some really, really gorgeous, show-winning studs. Splay footedness is just the beginning; there are so may possible defects associated with dwarfism; some dwarf foals are so deformed they cannot survive, others live in pain their entire lives. Meeting the nutritional needs of dwarfs can be a real challenge, as their digestive systems are often affected by the same genes causing dwarfism. Almost all dwarfs have bite problems (requiring frequent dental procedures), some foals are born with such severely undershot jaws that they can't nurse.

I'm assuming that your boss is simply ignorant of the full range of possible problems here, rather than them being this careless about their animals. Like most horses, minis continue to grow for about 4-5 years; a filly that is only 2 years old will still be growing and probably still have a fairly narrow pelvis. Giving birth to a normal foal would probably be difficult, but since dwarfs often have disproportionately large heads and thick bodies, the odds of real problems coming up during delivery rise astronomically.

I've been a member of the Marestare forum for many years. Having watched many, many mature miniature mares bred to normal stallions get into difficulties (several of which resulted in the death of the mare) cured me of any ideas I may have had about breeding miniature horses. I have minis, and I love them, but risking my girls' lives to give birth to a deformed foal? No way!

I would have to agree that my boss may not be aware of all the possible ways this could go wrong. Not to get off topic here but I believe it is mostly her fault we lost one of our mares recently, as she's never been on desander or any other supplements for that matter. However,its not my place to tell her that. She has more "horse years" under her belt than I do, but I'm quite certain I have more common sense, being that I am asking you knowledgeable folks for advice and I don't believe she did the proper research before turning them out together. As I've said before, we are just farm managers,for lack of a more proper term for what we do. I may not call the shots but I can try to convince her. Hoping for a good outcome gets us no where. I agree he should've been gelded some time ago. While we would welcome a mini foal with open arms I am very concerned with the mare's health. How do I convince my boss to do the right thing?!?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Show this to her? Maybe she'll take it better coming from other folks than from you?

Good luck!