Foaling season is well underway. Soon decisions will need to be made. Do I breed back that mare this year? Will I ever breed that stud colt or should I geld him? Making responsible breeding decisions affects more than just your farm.
What is "backyard breeding?"
Backyard breeding is a term used to describe unregulated/unintentional pasture breeding. It can also refer to the intentional breeding of a mare without a plan or purpose for the resulting foal. The term is NOT intended to imply that horse owners shouldn't breed "in the backyard," as long as they are properly managing pregnancies and offspring.
Why should backyard breeding be prevented?
According to an article by Extension Foundation, in 2019, the American Horse Council estimated there are 9.2 million horses in the United States, and 1 percent to 1.5 percent of those horses are unwanted (92,000-138,000). Similar to the feral dog and cat crisis currently facing America, backyard breeding can lead to abandonment, abuse, and neglect of excess horses.
The average lifespan of a horse is 25-30 years, with many living well into their 40s thanks to advancements in equine nutrition, management, and veterinary care. Steady to rising birth rates combined with declining annual death rates has resulted in an oversaturated horse market.
In saturated markets; conformation, temperament, and genetics are important factors in successfully selling a horse. Backyard breeding can result in the continuation of undesirable traits. In-breeding in an unmanaged herd or excessive line-breeding can result in major conformational defects. These horses can be difficult to train, promote, and sell.
How can you help?
Breed with a purpose. Consider where that foal will end up in 25-30 years. Make sure that the genetic traits you are passing on will result in good conformation and temperament. Ensure you're ready to take on the time and financial obligation of raising and training a foal.
Castrate! If you own a stallion with conformational defects, a poor temperament, or you don't intend to breed, consider castration. Castration is the most commonly performed equine surgery and one of the top ways to reduce backyard breeding. Geldings are often milder mannered, making them easier to handle and more marketable if you decide to sell later.
NC State Vet School is Offering FREE Castration clinics on March 22nd, March 29th, & April 5th.
Requirements:
- Halter Broken
- Current Coggins
- Current Tetanus Vaccine
- Both Testicles Descended
Please contact Kate Fiebrandt at keryman@ncsu.edu or 919-515-7459 for more information.
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