How they look and perform depends on which parent's genes are the stronger or more dominant. Careful selection of the stallion can override your mare’s shortcomings. A stallion with particularly good points where your mare may be weak, and has dominate genes can assist you get just what you want.

Considering  the stallion's performance can also be included in your decision making but remember there are many boys enjoying the retired life, that may just offer your breeding programme what it needs. Defiantly look at stock that your future stallion has produced and were possible view the dam’s of the off spring, this will give you a fair indication of the stallions ability and what types of mares he cross’s well with.

Some stallions, breeds or bloodlines become fashionable, which is not a good enough reason to use them on your mare. Simply find a stallion that suits her and you.

AI across Australia

Thanks to the wonders of modem science, distance, when it comes to breeding horses is no longer a problem. Once you find the perfect stallion for your mare, it does not matter that his stud is halfway across Australia or even across the world. Instead of suffering the trauma of long‑distance float travel, your mare can be bred right at home.

This wonderfully advanced technology has broadened the options on how to have your mare bred and to whom. Frozen or cooled semen and embryo transfers are more and more widely used.

There are great advantages to AI breeding. Your mare may not have to leave your property, you reduce risk of injury to mare and stallion, there is less chance of infection and the stud can divide a single collection of semen from their stallion into multiple inseminations to cover more than one mare.

First you must thoroughly check out the stallion's credentials as there are unrecoverable costs in collecting from a stallion that has a low fertility or viability. Also cheek with your breed society if AI of your mare is allowed, so you can register the foal.

How AI works

Cooling semen slows down the sperm cells' metabolic process, enabling them to survive for up to 72 hours, outside the stallion or mare. The expertise of the vet and the natural fertility of the stallion will play a part in the successful rate of conception to the receptive mares. Also the handling of cool semen is not as difficult as handling frozen semen, although frozen semen can last years after it has been collected from the stallion.

With AI it is advisable not to skimp on follicle testing your mare, as this enables the vet to determine the proper insemination time. This process can be time consuming and owners need to be aware they may need the mare attended to daily during the heat period.

Timing is critical,   your mare must be inseminated at the right time, 12-24 hours before ovulation is generally considered best. As most mares ovulate during the night, artificial insemination can be done in the late morning or early afternoon before their expected ovulation.

Conditions must be right for successful breeding using AI  you will need an equine vet with expertise and a flexible schedule. Be sure to check out the stallion's success rate using AI, or if he has not been used before for AI, ask if he has had an evaluation by a reproductive expert?

Close Up on some breeds

PINTO is a colour type recognised by the Pinto Society. It is an all-purpose saddle horse or pony varying in size and conformation, distinguished by its coat colouring, which can be either piebald or skewbald. Australia has many fine pintos that have been bred using Arabian, Welsh, Australian Stud ponies and Thoroughbred blood lines. This enables the owners the choice of part-bred registration for their stock with the different breed societies.

They compete in open classes, with more judges broadening their views "a good horse is a good horse no matter its colour". Versatile and lovable, owning a pinto a real joy. The Pinto Society, which was formed in 1976, annually holds state championship shows, as well as plenty of classes found at agricultural shows across Australia.

RIDING PONY is essentially a quality animal, with neat conformation, free straight action from the shoulder (not the knee) and possessing presence. It should be a pony type but with the proportions of a small elegant hack, fine head with large wide-spaced eyes and small neat ears. They should have a good length of rein, sloping shoulder, fairly wide chest, with good depth through the girth and a straight medium length back. Their action must be straight and true, with a temperament suited to the show ring. They can be up to 14.2hds.

The Riding Pony Society also have classes for Show Hunters at most of the shows around Australia. The society regular holds National Shows,  Foal and Youngstock shows around Australia.

The AUSTRALIAN PONY derived principally from imported Welsh, with a mixture of Arab and Thoroughbred blood. This Australian breed varies in height from under 12hh to 14hh. Intelligent, hardy and sound with good free movement, they are renowned for their suitability for children.

Smart with good looks, they can easily transform from show pony to pony club mount or any other discipline. They are quiet natured and many adults enjoy riding with an Australian pony. Its characteristic head is full of quality, with a flat forehead and well defined eyes, a good length of rein, sloping shoulder, with a smooth straight, true action of good length. Temperament, soundness and versatility are inherited qualities of this pony.

The society holds Stud Shows, Action Shows  for the children, Foal and Youngstock Shows around Australia. They also have a partbred register.

CONNEMARA Usually grey in colour, varying in height from 13-14.2hh, versatile, with a smooth comfortable gait, and kindest temperament, this attractive pony can be found competing in a number of disciplines from the show ring to dressage.

With great ability at jumping and calm outlook on life, the whole family can use them. They are easy to look after, sure-footed, hardy and have strong limbs, a lovely all roun d versatile equine.

The breed is under the umbrella of the APSB Society.

The MORGAN has great physical strength, with an alluring personality of gentleness and sensibility. The Morgan horse can be up to 15.2lids, with the usual coat colours of bay, chestnut, brown and black. Of good conformation, it possesses strong shoulders and legs, hard feet and an attractive head set on a muscular crested neck. They are extremely active, versatile and can be found working under saddle or in harness. .

With boundless stamina and their kindly nature, cross breeding to a Morgan would result in a versatile sport horse, they are already competing in endurance, jumping and dressage.

Several Morgan’s are competing in Austra1ian endurance events and are really suited to this, with their natural toughness. They have shown consistant resting heart rates of 24-26 beats per minute and excellent recovery rates.  Endurance is an area where we will find many Morgan crosses in the very near future.

WELSH  PONY is one of the most numerous, as well as probably the most beautiful and popular of the native breeds. It is a very intelligent and courageous pony, kind and gentle in its manner.

The section A pony up to 12hh is a splendid child's saddle pony, with free movement, and is equally at home in harness. They are known by their fine, slightly dished head, very large wide spaced eyes and small pricked ears. They are always alert, sound and tough and are of true pony character.

The section B pony up to 13.2hh is an intelligent riding pony both for children and small adults, seen in the show ring competing led and ridden. Possessing a small neat head, a good length of rein, a sloping shoulder, their action is lower to the ground with not as much knee action as the section A pony. They are very hardy, balanced and of good temperament.

The Welsh Cob the largest and strongest of the Welsh breeds, it is courageous with great powers of endurance and is noted for its striking movement at the trot. This breed is a true all-round family friend. They are a good all-round saddle horse, with the ability to jump and make a lasting impression when seen in harness.

The AUSTRALIAN SADDLE PONY association was formed to provide a register for ponies demonstrating good saddle characteristics and were able to be used in a variety of disciplines. Ponies are classified to gain entry into this association. The ponies ideally have a refined head, elegant neck, a long, sloping shoulder, short back, with good round hindquarters.

They are well-balanced, light and graceful in movement and are able to produce a great length of stride.

This association will accept most ponies, providing they meet conformation and temperament requirements.

THE ARABIAN has had more influence on other breeds throughout the world than any other horse. Of exceptional beauty and the distinctive features; dished head, broad forehead, large eyes and small muzzle, is carried high on its elegant neck.

The body of the Arabian is compact, with long slender legs, and a coat like silk. Although the impression of a spirited horse is given, this breed has the gentlest of dispositions. Used for saddle, harness and in-hand, they are well worth considering when looking at cross breeding, as the Arab Society has a partbred register.

The society holds some of the best, high profile shows across Australia

NEWFOREST PONY, at up to 14.2hh in height, is another versatile breed. Noted for their ability to perform in various disciplines, especially jumping, these ponies are willing to handle any tasks put before them. Possessing a well set pony head, clean sloping shoulders, strong quarters, good bone and hardy feet, the larger New Forest pony is as capable of carrying adult as it is children.

Quiet with an even temperament, that makes them an excellent  riding mount. The New forest pony register through the APSB societ y.

SHETLAND PONY led, ride or drive, these dear ponies are always well received by horse lovers. Varying in colour and in height up to 10.2hds, they are extremely strong and hardy.

The head should be strong – not coarse, with eyes that are large and prominent, a short strong back, considerable depth through the girth and their action should be f ree and straight, with the pony making full use of the shoulders, knees and hocks .

With abundant flowing manes and tails, quick wit and if broken in correctly, a talent under saddle as big as a hack, they will give children many hours of fun from the show ring to pony club. The Shetland pony comes under the umbrella of the APSB society.