Please can someone help me make a very difficult decision - long sorry

[georgiegirl]

I'll start from the beginning......

Twig my 16.1 6yo tb did her suspensory ligament 6 weeks ago. She has had 6 weeks box rest, adequan injections etc. At the 6 week scan it is healing (but she is still lame) but we have been told we are in for the long haul with this one to get her right. she is now out happily grazing in a small paddock.

Do I, or do I not consider putting her in foal. Very difficuly choice as time is getting on and there are so many factors.....I wish I had a crystal ball to see what is going to happen!

Pro's for putting her in foal:
*She is a very quality horse worth breeding from
*It will give the suspensory a long time to heal fully - important as we want this mare to event in the future
*If she were not to come right she would be a proven breeding mare
*At times she can be mareish - the vet thinks having a foal may well improve her.
*as a two horse owner this may well be my only chance i get at breeding my own - this is our first time (have had foals from 6 months up) but are looking down every avenue we can and have people who can support and advise

Cons
*what if it all goes wrong
*we are running out of time in breeding season
*this mare could well be right again come new year to get fit again for the coming competition season - if she has a foal then im looking at the year after.

any mediums out there to tell me whats going to happen?? ANY advice much appreciated. Thankyou!

[tilesheds]

I was in the same position last year with my mare. I went for putting her in foal and it was the best experience i have ever had. Your mare might be fit for work by the new year, but she might not! That extra time off might be better for her. What's another year. Life is too short for if's and and's. We all worry about things going wrong, it's natural! Just think this time next year you could have another champ in the making. Owning a horse from young and knowing it,s background is one thing, breeding your own and moulding it from day one is a whole different ball game. Go for it. It,s the most rewarding thing you will ever do! Get looking for a stallion, it's not too late.
I'm not a medium but I hope this helps. Good luck xx

[popsicle]

I really don't know anything about breeding, but I'm a big fan of Pro and Con lists and your Pro list is longer. Simple

[paulineh]

I was always told by my vet that the hormones that the mare produces while in foal help the healing process

[georgiegirl]

its just a huge scary decision to make but your right.......she may not be better and even if she is the long rest is not going to do her any harm.

One stallion we like is the tb classic. very very nice and the major plus is he is literaly 3 miles down the road so she can be covered and come home to er own paddock where she is chilled and happy. The other one we like would mean her staying in a strange field with strange mares and i really dont want her to kick off and undo the hard work we have put into her leg so far

[madmare22]

It may be worth looking at treating her in an equine spa whether or not you breed or not as it may help the healing process. PM Taylored Equestrian on here she has a spa and is more knowledgable about it han i am but i have used her spa for a number of ailments and am well and truly converted

[bigbirdtoo]

I agree on the pro's list being longer - that's your decision made. We've done similar and don't regret bit for one minute. Do your research reading, through your vet & on-line re breeding and pregnancy. Do chose your stallion carefully and go through a reputable stud, having first obtained references, seen the place, and some of the stallions off-spring.
Why not consider a good WB stallion, to give you a good competition X.
Equine Spa good to bring down immediate inflammation but will not cure the problem - rest is prescribed!
Good luck

[jomiln]

A lot of studs would appreciate your concerns regarding your mare and the risk of undoing any progress made already in the healing of your mare's injury and would try their best to accommodate the best form of management for your mare whilst at stud - such as not grazing with a large number - maybe just as a pair.
I generally use one of my own mares for this purpose when we have mares that need individual treatment.

[valour11]

In my experience, suspensory ligaments take a long time to heal. My gelding did the same thing in November last year and is just about 98% back to normal now. You can stil see an off step now and again but I doubt he will again due to his age. I have spent the last year wishing he was a mare

PM'd you.

[angrovestud]

we had a client with the exact same problem with her mare she had been eventing, she now is a very proud Mum and loving it, we will be going to see the baby after the weekend.
I PM you off another post and you are more than welcome to come and visit our Stallion check out his fab babies and yearlings and visit 2 years olds if you wish.
best wishes good luck