We are just about to officially click over to our official breeding season, 1 September.
Usually I have my breeding decisions sorted well and truly by now. I’ve studied, thought, mulled (with the help of a little vino), and I’ve looked at the sire and the mare naked in the paddock (them, not me of course). I’ve talked with a few people and mulled again, and then I trust my instincts and go for it. Basically, I work through the equation I have always put out there for breeders, not as an equation for glory, but as an equation for good results from what you have and where you want to go.
Breeding this way can still be incredibly exciting and outside the square. All it does is make sure you think things through – and make whatever decision you want! Breeding horses is something that gives us a sense of control over nature, while still being totally at the mercy of nature. Actually, we are just trying to get “in synch” with nature AND the market place. But nature is the best poker player you have ever sat round a table with…lol And I am not sure that too many of us walk away from that poker table with a profit!
This is the formula I have always put up for breeders to use to make informed but personal decisions (note: there is no subscription fee or theory you have to follow):
1 + 2 + = + $ + V + U + ?
Which translated means:
1 What the mare brings to the table, plus
2 What the sire brings to the table, plus
= How those complement each other, plus
$ Your budget and what’s good value
V The added value of how you raise the foal
U Your goal – what you are aiming to succeed in, plus
? An element of luck.
This year I am only breeding two mares – Zenterfold (to Art Major) and Nostalgic Franco (to A Rocknroll Dance).
I’ll blog on both of those breedings next time, as the Zenterfold one in particular ties in with the conversation we are having about the limitations of simple “golden cross” matches compared to looking at what might be driving things in the maternal lines.
b4breeding 
easy peazy for both McArdle
Why?
Nostalgia Franco you are midline crossing back Most Happy Fella – Knight Dream – Good Time cross and outwardly you are bringing back in Bret Hanover via Falcon Seelster in the siare line of the sire and the dam line of the mare reinforcing up the strong influence that Bred Hanover has
In Zenterfold not only could you potentially recreate Tintin in America
Speaking of Tintin in America doesn’t he look more interesting with Nostalgic Franco then his sire Mcardle. 3×3 Falcon Seelster top and bottom, sex balanced Direct Scooter half siblings plus New York Motoring and Oil Burner are genetic 3/4 siiblings.
Yes agree, when I bought the mare she was in foal to Tintin In America and when I looked at the match my eyes lit up. Will go back again in future if I can, but right now a sire with more commercial options is the go.
[…] my breeding formula I also needed to sort out WHAT I am breeding this next foal for, and what I would optimally want […]