When it comes to horse breeding, the stallions are often the ones who get all the attention. They take centre stage in advertisements and stud issues of equestrian magazines, with many people assuming that they are the most influential part of the horse breeding equation, especially if they consistently throw successful foals.

However, it is important to remember that the stallion is responsible for only fifty percent of the resulting progeny. Some breeders even argue that the mare has slightly more influence on how the foal turns out than the sire, as the way she raises the foal helps shape its own personality and how it reacts to certain things.

How the mare brings up her foal certainly has an impact on its temperament. After all, she is the one nurturing and teaching the foal for the first six months of its life. So many characteristics and behaviours can be picked up during that period, both good and bad. If the mare is skittish and hard to handle, the foal will follow her lead and probably act in a similar fashion. If, on the other hand, she is relaxed and calm natured, it is likely that her offspring will have a more laid back disposition as well.

Breeders also need to think very carefully about what they hope to achieve in breeding a foal. Bear in mind that a flashy stallion paired with a nice mare won’t necessarily result in a great foal if they are not complementary types. Breeders should be uncompromising when it comes to the quality of their broodmares. Some people wear rose-tinted glasses and just can’t see that their mare is not suitable for breeding. They think that their mare is special and that if she has done well in her discipline, she will produce a good foal. They forget about type, blood and how the mare is put together.

In any horse breeding programme, the mares should be a good type and have correct conformation and a nice trainable temperament. If the aim is to produce a competitive animal, it is also preferable to use mares that have an impressive performance background. It is not just the stallion that should be expected to prove himself under saddle.

Although many studs specialise in high performing sport horses, it should be pointed out that the quality of the mare is key, whatever the foal’s end job is going to be. Even if all you want to do is breed sensible, versatile all-rounders, it is important to pay attention to the standard of the mare. Any broodmare’s conformation should be fundamentally sound to give the best chance of the foal living a long useful life, free of lameness and health problems. At the very least, the mare should have nice straight legs, a clean throatlatch, a well set on neck of adequate length and a good strong back.

Broodmares are the cornerstone of a breeder’s success and can make or break a horse breeding programme. If people remember that and invest in only the highest quality, best conformed mares, the standard of stock being produced, whether it is for casual riders or individuals aiming for Olympic gold will continue to go from strength to strength.