Things to do before breeding

#1: Having a mare who is good enough to breed

Really important is that a mare can be registered as a broodmare in a breeding association. My Bellarina was already registered and branded as a riding horse in the Bavarian warmblood association. She has a good pedigree and conformation and I asked a lot of knowledgeable people wether they think she could be a broodmare. They said yes.
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#2: Checking the health

Every stud has to be vet checked before they are accepted for the keuring. They even have to be checked by x-rays wether they might have abnormalities in their bones. Mares don't have to be x-ray checked but I thought it would be a good idea to have this done. And my vet thought this too. The result was that she's absolutely healthy, no arthrosis, no navicular, nothing!
-> check.




#3 Becoming a member of a breeding association and getting the mare registered as a broodmare

In Germany there's a difference between "registered" and "registered as a broodmare/stud". Every foal who's breeder is a member of a German breeding association and who's Dam and Sire are registered at this association get registered as a riding horse and branded, too. No matter how good or bad they are. BUT if you want to get your mare registered as a broodmare, she has to be tested. They only take the good ones of course. They accepted Bellarina in the second best studbook of the Bavarian Breeding association. Her grades can be read below at her introduction.
-> check.


#4: Picking a stud:

That's were I am at the moment. Right now my favorite is the five year old Trakehner stud Imperio who is reserve world champion of the young dressage horses and German Bundeschampion of the 5 year old dressage horses. I will call my breeding association and ask for some advice. :)
Its soooo exciting!