| Breeders devote countless hours and energy in | | | | and stored or implanted into a recipient mare. You |
| attempting to breed a world class sport horse. | | | | have to have several recipients ready to go so that |
| Whether it is a show jumper, an eventer or dressage | | | | you will hopefully have one at the correct stage to |
| horse they are hoping to produce. | | | | receive the embryo. All this takes time, and is |
| Strongly far more time is spent trawling the various | | | | expensive but is worth it if a foal can be produced |
| stud books and the internet looking for the perfect | | | | from a top mare. |
| stallion and very little attention is paid to the mare. | | | | The mare is equally if not more important then the |
| Should breeders not be spending the same amount | | | | stallion in passing on the traits required in a top class |
| of time choosing the perfect mare? | | | | performer. |
| Statistics show that a mare that has preformed well | | | | It is very rare that a mediocre mare ever breeds a |
| in the relevant discipline has a much better chance to | | | | really successful top level competition horse. Breeders |
| breed on her desirable traits. Unfortunately all too | | | | must begin to realise the importance of the dam's |
| often it is not possible to breed from the top mares | | | | conformation, movement, athleticism, type, |
| as they are in work being competed. The introduction | | | | temperament and ability. This all plays a huge part in |
| of embryo transfer techniques has made it possible | | | | breeding a foal with the potential to go on and |
| to produce foals from a mare that is competing | | | | successfully compete at any level let alone the top |
| without interrupting her completion schedule. Embryo | | | | level. |
| transfer is unfortunately still quite costly and may not | | | | When deciding to breed a horse for any discipline |
| be an option for everyone. It is also quite risky as | | | | breeders need to start with a mare that ticks as |
| you are never guaranteed to be successful. First the | | | | many of the boxes as possible. Otherwise all the time |
| mare has to be covered, conceive so that she can | | | | and effort spent selecting the perfect sport horse |
| be flushed in the hope that an embryo will be | | | | stallion could be in vain. |
| recovered. This embryo can then be either frozen | | | | |