Breeding A Paint Mare with Cataracts

20 16:54:00

Question

Rosie I have a beautiful paint filly. 2yrs old that has cataracts in both eyes. None of the other foals from the same crop have cataracts. Is there a chance she could pass this on? I have a beautiful apha stud that I would like to breed her to. Both are performance breed and calm easy going horses. Which is what Id like for ill be raising barrel horses. My other hope is to break her and ride her but if I cant do that I would atleast like to use her as a broodmare. She is a pacer and we think she could hurt the baby others think she'll calm down and mares wouldnt hurt their own babies.

Any help is creatly appreciated

Answer
Dear Stephanie,

When a horse this young has cataracts, they are rather certain to be congenital. Cataracts have been reported to be genetically dominent in Belgian and Thoroughbred horses, but the heredity of most equine cataracts is somewhat less certain.

There is a general rule in breeding that you "breed the best to the best and hope for the best." In my opinion, a young mare with cataracts and the anxious disposition you describe with her pacing is not the best candidate for breeding.

Lynne Curtis Gudes
"Common sense isn't."

Prev:False Pregnancy
Next:Breeding different sized horses

Breeding A Paint Mare with Cataracts

Related Articles

Breeding Horses

Most Popular

You Might Also Like

DON'T MISS

More Great Links