Okay, so, let’s talk about broodmares. I’ve been messing around with this for a while now, and I figured I’d share what I’ve learned. First off, I started by making sure I had a good setup. I mean, you gotta have a clean and safe place for these mares, right? So, I spent a good chunk of time cleaning out the stables and making sure everything was in tip-top shape.
Then came the part where I had to actually get the mares ready. I did some reading, you know, just to get an idea of what I was supposed to do. Chapter 4 of that book was a real eye-opener. It was all about checking if the mares were even fit for breeding. I followed the guidelines, did some basic health checks, and made sure they were all good to go. It’s pretty important, don’t want to start with a mare that’s not up to snuff.
- Checked the living conditions.
- Made sure they were clean.
- Did some reading on breeding.
- Health checkup, you know the drill.
Next up, shots. Yeah, vaccinations. I learned that you’re supposed to give them shots about a month before they give birth. It’s supposed to help the baby, give it some protection through the mare’s first milk. I thought, “Alright, that makes sense,” so I got that done. I also took care of the deworming stuff, regular schedules, you know. Keeping things healthy and on track.
Shots and Worms
After all that was sorted, it was kind of a waiting game. I mean, you do all this prep work and then you just… wait. But during that time, I kept an eye on them, made sure they were eating right and just generally doing okay. I was thinking the whole time, “Is this mare even worth all this effort?” But the owner was all in, so I was in. Time and money, we were committed.
So, that’s pretty much where I’m at now. It’s a lot of work, and honestly, sometimes it feels like it’s more trouble than it’s worth. But then I think about the potential, you know, a new foal, healthy and strong. That’s something, right? It’s a gamble, but maybe it’ll pay off. We’ll see. I’ll keep you guys updated on how it all turns out. It’s been a ride, that’s for sure.
