Foals grow fastest in their 2nd and 5th months, so it is best not to wean until after the 5th month, and not to show in either of those months if possible to limit the risk of OCD and stress ulcers.

  You should breed what you want to ride. The mare makes up more than half of the equation. The X chromosome contains more genetic material than the Y chromosome, plus the mare spends the time raising the foal and teaching the foal in the first months of life. Don’t breed your mare unless you’d be happy if you got one just like her (unless you’re using someone else’s embryo).

  Check out potential stallions. Shows are a good place to do this. Look for gaits, trainability, adaptability to the rigors of travel and showing, and also how easily riders are able to sit to the gaits. Also ask yourself what is important to you. If you want a Grand Prix horse, can the stallion do piaffe and passage? If you need ridability, the horse needs to have gaits that are easy to sit. Be honest about your needs. Also think about soundness history. Some problems, like ringbone, can be passed along genetically.

  Stallions need to have 3 good gaits, and an innate sense of rhythm. Larger horses may be harder to keep sound. Be sure to see the stallion under saddle or to see the offspring under saddle. Everyone wants a gigantic mover, but can they be ridden by an ordinary mortal? Ridability refers to how easy a horse is to sit and/or get on the bit. Temperament refers to whether the horse is lazy or hot, and character refers to how “user-friendly” the horse is (how easy he is to get along with).

  When you are looking at tapes, notice what isn’t shown. Are there talents that should be there that are missing. It could be an oversight, but it could also be an indication that there are problems (like paces at collected walk or can’t piaffe and passage). If that would be a problem for you, you need to ask more questions and/or possibly consider a different stallion.

  Except in breed classes, or if you are trying to produce a stallion candidate, conformation is not judged. What you ARE being judged on is what your horse can do for you movement-wise. KEEP YOUR MOVEMENT AND RIDING GOALS FOREMOST IN YOUR MIND WHEN MAKING BREEDING DECISIONS.

  The appropriate broodmare should be fun to ride and fun to be around. She should also have a history of soundness, and a satisfactory performance history. Don’t expect the stallion to improve on her.

  Sport Horse judges do not like short backs. Medium to long backs are preferred.

  The elbow and stifle should be approximately even with each other to have an uphill horse. The dressage world is looking for more Ladies’ horses.