A few years back breeding in the UK was far more indiscriminate than it is today.
We sent Pat Crawford along to HADLOW COLLEGE to find out what students and staff have to say on the subject.
Unlike the objective approach on Continent, where most countries have long established breeding lines and as little as possible is left to chance, in this country a lot of breeding was entered into subjectively. It wasn't unusual for private owners to put a mare into foal because her lack of ability rendered her unsuitable for competition! Then too, mares that were perceived as 'tricky' were put into foal, sometimes in the belief that this would improve their temperaments. Quite often little or no attention was paid to the conformation of the mare and many a youngster was consequently born with poor limbs, a parrot jaw or other serious defects inherited from the dam. Aside from the reputation the UK had for breeding Thoroughbreds for the racing industry, and with the notable exception of some studs specialising in pony breeding, breeding in this country was often ill considered.
COMMENTS FROM HADLOW STAFF AND STUDENTS
• 'Nowadays the majority of owners are very aware that breeding involves commitment.'
• 'It is just as expensive to produce a disappointing youngster as it is one destined for high performance or top class showing.'
• 'The decision to breed from any mare should be based on consideration, knowledge and common sense - never on a whim.'
• 'Breeding a foal involves huge commitment, especially when the owner wants to keep the youngster to bring on for a specific discipline. It's very important to appreciate just how much time is involved.'
• 'An awful lot of people don't stop to consider if they've got the right facilities for breeding. I have visited yards where young stock is turned out in badly fenced, worm ridden paddocks - yet I'm sure the owners concerned love the mares and their offspring. They just haven't stopped to think.'
• 'Pregnancy lasts for about 340 days. Then it's another four years before the youngster is ready to be ridden. That's a long time.'
• 'For people without their own facilities and plenty of time it can be considerably cheaper to buy a four year old.'
• 'One of the advantages of buying rather than breeding relates to the possibilities of injury. You probably wouldn't buy a badly blemished youngster but the situation is very different when a home bred youngster is injured'.
• 'It's very annoying that riders in this country will frequently pay large sums for horses from abroad but are rarely prepared to do the same for British bred stock. This often has little to do with quality and potential and much to do with fashion.'
• 'After graduating I'm going home to help my mother with her stud. She specialises in breeding and producing all round horses and ponies that go on to make really top class riding and Pony Club horses and ponies. It's an important area that really isn't taken sufficiently seriously. I enjoy helping with the Hadlow stallion. Bravo is a Welsh section C cross about 15.2. It's nice for me because he's just the sort of sire my mother selects to cover some of her Thoroughbred mares.'
SELECTING A SIRE
• 'Even the very best stallion can't make up for the deficiencies of a poor mare.'
• 'Some bloodlines combine particularly well. It takes years of experience to acquire this knowledge - but the owners of good stallions want the best for their horses and most of them are very willing to provide help and advice.'
• Never select a sire because it's 'fashionable'. On the other hand, choosing an unknown quantity can be hazardous.'
• 'No mare, no stallion, is 'perfect'. Clever owners select a stallion that will improve the mare's weak points.'
•'Be certain the facilities provided by the stallion owner or stud measure up to expectations.'
HADLOW is one of the UK's leading land-based colleges. The equine department has excellent facilities, an enviable reputation and offers a wide range of full time, part time and short courses including degree level. Hadlow graduates and past students find employment in a broad spectrum of the equestrian industry and many have achieved senior positions in their chosen sphere. Telephone 0500 551434 for information.
