OK, first let me say I am not a huge fan of breeding two yr olds. Let me also clarify that when I decided to try breeding, I felt like I was fairly well informed I didn't just say hey, let's see how fun it would be to see the miracle of life - because that's not how it works. It's dangerous business and I do know that, but like many people, I have found many things I need better understanding of.
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My question is - how many of you do breed 2 yr olds, what has your experience been with them and this is why I ask. I have a filly who is shown by my kids and I had planned on possibly breeding her as a 3 yr old. This yr she has come into heat hot and heavy and is about to pee herself to death or at least into serious dehydration
: It is driving both her and my stallion crazy. They are both super easy to handle and they usually go to shows togther and we never had a problem until now. But I am concerned that number one, it may be (well it is) harder for her to focus on the task at hand. She's still a peach to work with, but thinks she's all that already so she doesn't need anything else to distract her LOL. My 7 yr old was so excited to show her again this yr and he especially loves obstacle so I want them to be safe. Also, everytime she pees she gets it all over her tail and legs. I'm already having to hose her to keep her from scalding. It would be a mess to have all that during a show. I also don't want to have to worry about it upsetting someone else's stallion. I know a simple option would be to just keep her home, but she and my stallion are the two show horses and obviously a 7 yr old can't show a stallion (even though he behaves better than a lot of mares -but that's off topic)
She is the youngest mare I've had around since owning a stallion. One of my mares was more mature when I got my stallion and the other was an experienced breeder so I don't know if this is something that will pass after a cycle or two or will she always be like this. It is incredibly sleezy LOL. Again, I don't like the idea of using a two yr old, but it would make life much simpler and easier on her and the stallion as they could be together without worry. But I also know that is the lazy persons way out. When I evaluated her this spring. I felt like she was still slightly immature looking. She's always been full of herself so I think that's just her not necessarily immature mentally, but who's to know until she get's older.
Just looking for thoughts from breeders who are much more experienced than myself. Please don't flame. I've already said that I know it would be the lazy thing for me to breed her just to simplify my life. But it WOULD make life much easier.
: I want to know all the negatives though so I can weigh the decission. I want to know if breeding as a two yr old significantly alters their appearance at a much earlier age (i.e. do they get sway back earlier in life than if bred at 3) do they have a tougher time with labor, nutritionally does it seem to hurt the growth and overall health of a 2 vs 3 yr old etc. I want to get everyone's opinion. I'm leaning towards just gritting my teeth and trying to survive this messy, smelly, hormonal, totally unlady-like stage, but thought I'd at least see what others thought. Thanks for any help!
P.S. If anyone would like to see her to get a better idea of her maturity, I have a yearling picture of her on my website (her name is Scarlet) I figure if you think she looked decent as a yearling, she's only gotten more mature as a 2 yr old. But of course we all have a set of barn eyes that don't always see what the rest of the world sees so a seasoned breeder may see her as more or less mature than I do
My question is - how many of you do breed 2 yr olds, what has your experience been with them and this is why I ask. I have a filly who is shown by my kids and I had planned on possibly breeding her as a 3 yr old. This yr she has come into heat hot and heavy and is about to pee herself to death or at least into serious dehydration
She is the youngest mare I've had around since owning a stallion. One of my mares was more mature when I got my stallion and the other was an experienced breeder so I don't know if this is something that will pass after a cycle or two or will she always be like this. It is incredibly sleezy LOL. Again, I don't like the idea of using a two yr old, but it would make life much simpler and easier on her and the stallion as they could be together without worry. But I also know that is the lazy persons way out. When I evaluated her this spring. I felt like she was still slightly immature looking. She's always been full of herself so I think that's just her not necessarily immature mentally, but who's to know until she get's older.
Just looking for thoughts from breeders who are much more experienced than myself. Please don't flame. I've already said that I know it would be the lazy thing for me to breed her just to simplify my life. But it WOULD make life much easier.
P.S. If anyone would like to see her to get a better idea of her maturity, I have a yearling picture of her on my website (her name is Scarlet) I figure if you think she looked decent as a yearling, she's only gotten more mature as a 2 yr old. But of course we all have a set of barn eyes that don't always see what the rest of the world sees so a seasoned breeder may see her as more or less mature than I do