Like all pets, Greyhounds require a healthy balanced diet and Greyhound owners should always endeavour to feed their pets the best quality food that they are able to afford.
There are many brands on the market, some of these do not provide the nutrition a Greyhound needs. Some of the cheaper brands may even in some cases endanger the health of your of your pet.
It is recommended that Greyhound owners do no feed their dogs with tinned food as many of them contain fillers that could cause intestinal problems. A sure sign that a certain brand of tinned food is not working for your dog is that they will suffer from diarrhoea after eating the food and then it is time to stop using that particular brand.
Pet owners should try as far as possible to feed their dogs food that is unprocessed and pure.
A Greyhound with a healthy coat, skin and eyes is a sign that your pet is happy and healthy. Their coat should be bright and shiny, their skin smooth and healthy and their eyes bright and clear and all of these are a good indication that the dog is in good health.
Greyhounds are known for sleeping for long lengths of time and younger dogs will often have short bursts of energy and enjoy playing. In order for pet owners to ensure a healthy lifestyle they should use high-quality food that gives their dog all of the nutrients they require for their day.
Limit Intake of Human Food
The food that humans eat and that of dogs are not a good combination and many pet owners make the mistake of feeding their dog’s human food, which is not a good idea and can often have a bad outcome for the Greyhound.
As a treat every now and again human food is fine, but it must be limited and only given in small quantities. The treat should be pure, properly cooked and should not be seasoned, not be too salty or fatty. Much like when enjoying the Mega casino bonuses has to offer, balance is key, and this should apply to every area of your lives too, and your dogs!
There are many Greyhound owners who feel that commercial dog foods contain ingredients that often contribute to health problems such as allergies, cataracts, seizures, infections, skin issues and autoimmune problems. Many owners have noticed that switching from a commercial diet to a raw diet has sorted out many of these issues.
Dogs will also have less tartar build up and their breath will be improved in many instances.
Recommended Daily Diet
A recommended diet for Greyhounds is around 300 grams of meat each day, but this would depend on the size of the Greyhound. Greyhound owners should also supplement the meat with vegetables, fish oil and a little dry food; this should be a good quality dry food.
The meat should not be fatty and should be cooked through well. Any visible fat should be removed as well as any skin on chicken. All bones should be removed from the cooked meat.
Fruit is a great addition to their diet and is a healthy treat for them. It is important to remove all seeds, leaves and stems from the fruit. Vegetables are also an excellent source of nutrients for Greyhounds and are also a good way to give dogs their treats such as carrots, green beans, zucchini and cucumber.
There are some vegetables which should be avoided such as onion, garlic, avocado and raw potatoes.
Greyhound owners should ensure that their pet is give a well-balanced healthy diet to keep them happy and in good condition.
The Greyhound Pet Owner FAQ
Deciding on whether to bring a dog into your home should be a carefully considered event, not something that happens on the spur of the moment. This is particularly true when it comes to bringing a specific breed into your home such as greyhound.
If you’re trying to decide whether you should adopt a greyhound or purchase a greyhound puppy from a reputable breeder, perhaps this greyhound FAQ will help you decide. However, we must mention that we highly recommend adopting a retired racing greyhound as they make wonderful pets and there are plenty looking for loving homes!
Greyhounds as Pets
- Do greyhounds make good pets?
Greyhounds make wonderful pets and they are loyal and loving and are the perfect companion for the young and old alike. Greyhounds are gentle, easy going, intelligent, and polite.
- How fast are greyhounds?
Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 70kph in two short strides.
- How old do greyhounds live to be?
The greyhound’s natural lifespan is between 12-14 years.
- Do greyhounds shed a lot?
Unlike many other dog breeds, greyhounds only have coat of hair which makes them virtually shed-free. They have a short, sleek coat with more oil and less dander which is perfect for allergy sufferers.
The Greyhound Temperament
- Can I keep a greyhound outdoors?
No, your greyhound should live inside for the majority of the time as their thin skin and slender frame make them unable to withstand outdoor cold or heat for extended periods of time. The perfect companion for while you enjoy online blackjack!
- Are greyhounds hyperactive?
Quite the opposite actually! Greyhounds are affectionately known as the 70kph couch potatoes. Greyhounds were bred to run very quickly for short sprints so they conserve their energy the rest of the time.
- Can I take a greyhound jogging?
Your greyhound can be trained to go on walks and runs with you, but it should be a gradual learning experience as it will not be the greyhound’s automatic response.
- Do greyhounds have to run every day?
Greyhounds enjoy running just like all other dogs, but a leash walk 3-4 times a day will be sufficient. The occasional trip to the dog park will also make them very happy!
- Can I walk a greyhound without a leash?
For the safety of the greyhound, we must insist that he/she is absolutely never walked without a leash outside of an enclosed area. Their attention could be drawn to an object and their instincts may take over without regard to their general safety. Also keep in mind that a greyhound can run 70kph so they may run for a few minutes and find itself lost and far from home.
- Are greyhounds good with children?
Greyhounds will be happy amongst children who understand and respect pets and their boundaries.
Retired Greyhounds
- What type of training will a retired greyhound have?
By the time you adopt a racing greyhound it would have been taught how to walk well on a leash and racing greyhounds are also crate trained.
- How old is a greyhound when it retires from racing?
Greyhounds are generally between 18 months and 4 years of age when they are retired from racing. However, the average retirement age is approximately 2 years of age.
A Brief Introduction to Equine Therapy
Equine therapy, also known as equestrian- or equine-assisted therapy, is a form of treatment that makes use of horses to help promote emotional development.
Equine therapy has proven to be particularly helpful when applied to patients with ADD, anxiety, autism, dementia, emotional and mental developmental delays, Down syndrome, depression, traumatic brain injuries, as well as behavioural issues.
Equine therapy has been recognised as an important area of the medical field in many countries as it has helped to improve the lives of thousands of people around the world.
The Universal Language of Equine Therapy
Not only has equine therapy improved the lives of people living with the conditions listed above, but it is also an effective technique used by many therapists and councillors to educate troubled youth on how to follow instructions and how to react appropriately.
For instance, when starting out with equine therapy, students are tasked with getting the horse to move outside of a circle without even touching the animal.
Many students will try to clap, whistle, or yell but the horse will simply not heed the signal. In this way students, as well as parents and friends who are part of the therapy experience, learn that clapping, forcing, and yelling are not effected ways to get a person to do something.
Why Use Horses for Therapy?
Horses are the most commonly used animal for therapy, but elephants, dolphins, cats, and dogs are also used in many instances, the latter especially for those that are unable to gain access to the outdoors.
However, horses are the most popular as they have the ability to respond immediately to stimuli and given instantaneous feedback to the patient’s action or behaviour.
They may not always be the most feasible option though, and patients are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Just like the way you’d go about getting horse betting tips may differ to the next persons, each patient has different needs and these must be assessed upfront.
Horses are also able to mirror the emotional state of the patient making them an effective tool of learning. As horses behave similarly to human beings in their social and responsive behaviour, it is at all times easy for patients to form a connection with the therapy horse.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Equestrian Training
When equine therapy is practised correctly by a certified therapist, people with cognitive disabilities, psycho-motor disabilities, and behaviour disabilities show positive results.
Much like physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy, patients with disabilities are assisted by a certified equine therapist to manage their disability, but equine therapy combines all three in a way that doesn’t make patients feel that they are undergoing therapy.
The aim of equine therapy is for patients to:
- Establish a sense of self-worth
- Improve communication
- Establish trust
- Build self-efficiency
- Develop socialisation and decrease isolation
- Learn impulse control
- Learn emotional management
- Establish limits and boundaries
Activities Used in Equine Therapy
The activities used in equine therapy are not limited to horseback riding as many patients may feel intimidated or fearful of the horse’s size and may take time to develop a sense of confidence around the horse. As such, included in the equine therapy are lessons on horse care, grooming, saddling, and basic equestrian skills.
The process or techniques applied during an equine therapy session will be dependent on the patient and their type of disorder or the severity, but the primary techniques used by equine therapists are:
- Cognitive therapy
- Practising activities
- Activity scheduling
- Play therapy
- Storytelling
- Talk therapy
It’s important to remember that safety is the primary concern in all equine therapy associated activities and therapist ensure that all patients wear helmets and other protective gear.
6 Easy Steps for Feeding a Pregnant Mare
There are a multitude of factors that should be considered when deciding to breed a mare. Some of these decisions may take careful consideration, such as which stallion you should use, while others will probably be quick and easy.
One such decision should be how to take nutritional care of your mare as she transitions from one trimester to another, but this doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Use the following 6 guidelines to keep your mare happy and healthy throughout her pregnancy and she is sure to deliver a nutritionally robust foal.
1. Body Condition Scoring
As the mare’s pregnancy advances she will inevitably gain weight, mostly in her abdomen, however key points of fat deposition should remain similar throughout the duration of her development. Ideally a pregnant mare should maintain a moderate to moderately fleshy body condition throughout pregnancy.
If your mare is displaying a body condition of 6 and above this will only add unnecessary weight to her limbs which could be difficult for some.
2. Provide Adequate Vitamins and Minerals
Your mare will require no special upgrade in calories during the first 7-8 months of her pregnancy, but she will require a sufficient intake of high-quality feed to maintain an adequate body condition.
As such, the primary feedstuff should be high-quality forage such as pasture or hay as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals can be delivered through a well-fortified textured or pelleted feed specially formulated for pregnant mares.
3. Don’t Overfeed
A common – albeit well-meaning – mistake amongst mare owners is overfeeding during the first 7-8 months of pregnancy. However this is entirely unnecessary and wasteful – rather use the money saved on the best online casino bonuses Canada – as the foetus does not grow at an even rate during pregnancy and most growth occurs in the final 3 months of pregnancy.
As such, the mare’s nutritional and energy requirements do not increase greatly until then. The most important pregnancy management tips are keeping the mare in a moderate to moderately fleshy body condition and supplying adequate vitamin and mineral nutrition.
4. Rethink Energy Levels in Late Pregnancy
Your mare’s energy requirements increase during the last 3-4 months of pregnancy as the foetus grows and it’s important to provide her with high-quality forage on a free-choice basis to add calories to her diet.
Gauge the necessary feed levels through weekly body condition scoring and remember that as the weight of the foetus and fluids increases, the abdomen will drop and gravity will sometimes cause the flesh to pull tightly around the abdomen, allowing a hint of rib to show.
5. Provide Water and Salt, Avoid Fescue
Your mare – as with all horses – should have free-choice access to fresh water and a salt block or loose salt at all times. However, one type of hay or pasture to avoid at all costs is fescue as it is often infected with an endophyte that causes problems in pregnant mares such as prolonged gestation, a lack of milk, and a trying delivery.
As such, it’s important that all bedding is free of fescue as well.
6. Get an Equine Nutritionist
The basics of feeding a pregnant mare are straightforward, but a situation may arise that will require the help of a professional.
As such, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with equine nutritionist in your area should you need one.
The Dietary Requirements of a Racing Greyhound
There is nothing quite like seeing a greyhound running at full tilt and it’s be described as poetry in motion. However, in order for your greyhound to maintain the required energy levels to win races, they need diets high in protein and fat.
As such it is recommended that you feed your racing greyhound a combination of raw meat, carbohydrates, and nutritional supplements. However, some sceptics maintain their position that uncooked animal protein bears a risk for sickness or death from deadly food-borne pathogens. Let’s get to the bottom of this!
Eating for Swiftness
It is recommended that dogs that aren’t racing on a particular day are fed in the late morning and the standard racing greyhound diet should be high in protein provided by raw meat – which has a higher nutritional value than cooked meat.
Some greyhounds are also fed high-quality commercial pellets, pasta, and vitamin and mineral supplements. On racing day, contenders are fed a light-protein meal and only receive their full meal post-race after they’ve cooled down. A dose of glucose in the form of wheat, brown rice, and oats should be fed an hour before starting time as the spike in blood sugar promotes speed, but it won’t last long.
How Much Raw Meat is Necessary?
Feeding your greyhound for optimal athletic performance is your ultimate goal and Australian veterinarian and animal nutrition specialist John Kohnke advises that the traditional diet should consist of 50-70% raw meat.
Don’t balk at this high number though – since only approximately 20% of the raw meat is solid, water makes up most of the remainder. Just as you would only consider the opinion of experts with regards to horse racing tips NZ, so should you take note of nutritional experts in this regard.
In the past, efforts to replace raw meat, either partially or completely, with nutritionally complete pellets have not been well-received due to the higher cost.
Addressing Safety Concerns Regarding Raw Meat
By contrast, Richard C. Hill of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville once remarked that “meat is not a balanced food and is deficient in essential vitamins and minerals”.
Hill further wrote that the lack of reliable guidelines regarding the special nutritional needs of racing greyhounds has encouraged many trainers to formulate their own recipes, based heavily on raw meat. Hill expressed concern regarding the feeding of raw meat as the food-borne pathogens that cause food poisoning in people who eat undercooked or raw meat could also poison or kill dogs.
The Dietary Position of the Racing Industry
However, despite these opposing opinions, it has been noted that racing greyhounds do not perform as effectively on a commercial diet compared to one composed partially of raw meat.
When correctly handled – meaning the meat is fresh and appropriate refrigerated – raw meat has been proven safe and effective for the feeding of racing greyhounds and racing greyhounds seldom succumb to food-borne diseases.
Beef, lamb, mutton, chicken are the main ingredients in a racing greyhound’s diet and raw eggs and milk can also be included. Combined these protein sources provide the necessary amino acids, vitamins, and minerals necessary for peak racing performance and health.
Other Nutritional Requirements
Besides protein, a racing greyhound’s diet requires water, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and grain foods should be well-cooked, well-soaked, and fed soft.
However, achieving the optimum balance of supplements is a delicate process as administering too much can lead to hypervitaminosis which is just as devastating to a dog’s health and performance.
Beginners Greyhound Breeding Tips from the Experts
Breeding purebred greyhounds can be a lucrative business, but there are many factors to consider before jumping straight into breeding. If you’re planning on breeding winning racing greyhounds, then you will have to do plenty of extensive research ahead of time and be sure to get the advice and guidance of fellow greyhound breeders. Professional breeders will give you unfiltered advice which is exactly what you need to hear! This guide to breeding with greyhounds is by no means exhaustive, and is only meant as a beginner’s overview.
The Basics of Greyhound Breeding
A common sense approach will most likely be the most successful one – you’ll only get out what you put into a greyhound. If you’re keen to get started with greyhound breeding, you have to start with a well-performed and well-bred female greyhound and do everything right from the moment you start breeding right through to the pup’s racing lives.
The Necessary Sacrifices
Becoming a greyhound breeder will require a lot of work – probably more than you even realise. It’s imperative that you speak to other breeders as they will be more than willing to share their experiences and advice with you. They will be able to best advice you on getting started in the breeding game and you have to be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort if you want to achieve the best breeding results. You have to make sure to look after your greyhounds to the best of your ability and forgo sleep your greyhound is whelping. You’ll definitely have to give your favourite betting apps a break during season!
The Intense Workload
Greyhound breeding is an intense full-time job – do not even consider doing this as a hobby! Most professional breeders will tell you that it’s a 14-hour / 7 days a week commitment and it’s not a task that should be undertaken lightly. Loving the breed is not enough, you will have to endure all the ups and downs of being a breeder and it won’t always be smooth sailing. If you treat your dogs like royalty, they will show their thanks by giving you little princes and princesses of racing.
Brood Matron Care
Your brood matron has to be your top priority at all times and if your dam is well looked after, you could see her producing litters right up to 10 years old. You absolutely have to treat her as well as you did when she was still just 12 months old and feed her the same as a racing dog. Give her lots of love and attention – don’t just discard her into the backyard until it’s time to breed again. As previously mentioned, you get out what you put in.
Brood Matron Feeding and Deworming
Right before your brood matron is mated, be sure to deworm her to make sure she is clean from the inside out. Be sure to give your brood matron plenty of special care during the 9 weeks of pregnancy and feed her on a steady diet of meat, high-quality dry food, and milk. Be sure to deworm her again just before she gives birth and you’ll have to up her food intake by about 3 times when she whelps. Feed her as much as she can eat so that she can produce vitamin-rich milk with which to feed her pups.
How to Choose a Suitable Retired Greyhound
While most potential greyhound owners first think of getting a greyhound puppy when considering a new additional to the household, there are in fact plenty of retired greyhounds who would revel in a happy and loving home. While the idea of a ‘retired’ greyhound might lead you to think of a dog in their golden years, most racing greyhounds retire between the age of 2-5 years and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years, these retired greyhounds still have plenty of years to provide companionship. Here’s how to choose your perfect match.
Find a Good Adoption Agency
If greyhound racing is particularly popular in the area in which you live, there will be plenty of well-established retired greyhound racing adoption agencies. Most local greyhound racing websites will have a resource page listing solid adoption agencies and you can always take to forums for recommendations on the best in the bunch. Visit a few of the adoption agencies in your area and see which ones catch your eye the most.
Meet with an Adoption Coordinator
It’s absolutely imperative that you meet with an adoption coordinator to discuss exactly what you’re looking for in a greyhound. Be honest and upfront regarding your expectations and wishes for your potential companion, as in this way the adoption coordinator will be able to best ascertain which dog will best match what you’re looking for. For example: do you need a dog that is good with cats, children, or other dogs? Do you require a dog that is quiet and happy to live in apartment or a more energetic companion?
Review Possible Matches
Just as you would carefully consider which NZD online casino to join, so should your consideration of a greyhound be. Once you have detailed exactly what you are looking for in your retired racing greyhound, your adoption coordinator will have a few ideas regarding which dogs may be suitable. There may be more than one option, so be sure to ask plenty of questions regarding each potential match. The more information provided, the better the chances of finding the most suitable greyhound for your living situation.
Meet Your Potential Matches
Once you’ve narrowed down which potential matches are best suited to your home and lifestyle, it will be time to meet these four-legged bundles of love! During these meetings you will be able to interact with the dog/s to ascertain which would be the most suitable choice. Be sure to relax and enjoy meeting the dogs and try not to be too nervous. When you’ve found the best match, you’ll know almost immediately. Trust your gut and don’t get distracted by looks.
Your Perfect Match Does Exist
If your living situation seems that it may not be conducive to adopting a retired greyhound, don’t fret: there is an adoption agency and greyhound right for almost everyone. If you’re looking to provide a happy, safe, and loving environment for a greyhound, then you will certainly be able to find the most suitable greyhound. The good news is that greyhounds are adaptable and easy-going dogs, making them suited to live in many environments.
Looks Aren’t Important
It’s understandable that many new adopters get hung-up on the looks of their potential matches. Go in with an open mind and be sure to make coat colour of minimal importance in your mind. The most important thing is how well your retired greyhound will acclimatise to your home and family.
10 Tips for Training Your Retired Racing Greyhound
Now that you’ve adopted a retired racing greyhound, you will have to help him or her become more comfortable in the new environment and training can ease the transition substantially.
Greyhounds are highly intelligent creatures and with a little bit of effort, you will build a lasting and rewarding relationship.
1. Learn to Speak Greyhound
Firstly, take the time needed to figure out how retired racers think and how they respond to the world around them.
The more you understand about the greyhound breed and how his/her previous life will affect present behaviour, the better you will become at interpreting what he/she is trying to tell you.
2. Greyhounds are Highly Intelligent
Your greyhound will learn whether you’re actively teaching him/her or not as learning will happen every moment that your retired greyhound is awake. Your greyhound will learn from every experience so try and take advantage of this fact.
3. Build a Strong, Trusting Relationship
Training isn’t just about commands and obedience, but is really about building a strong relationship with good communication.
It’s imperative that you train your greyhound early and often in order to strengthen the relationship and open the lines of communication.
4. Manage the Environment Well
It’s important that you manage your greyhound’s world while he/she is learning a new set of behaviours. Use gates and leashes to keep him out of trouble and be sure to keep appealing but forbidden items out of reach or entirely out of sight.
Reward good behaviour and use environmental management to prevent behaviours you don’t want.
5. Use Positive Reinforcement
It’s easy to focus finding mistakes and correcting them, but many of us won’t even notice our greyhound quietly chewing a toy as opposed to a slipper while we enjoy real money pokies.
Be sure to let him/her know when they’re doing something wrong, but rather pay close attention so you can reinforce positive behaviours with rewards instead.
6. Be Patient
Don’t be fooled by celebrity trainers – there are unfortunately no 10 minute cures for dogs with problem behaviours.
You have to be committed to training your retired racer and if he/she is doing something wrong it’s because your training is falling short. Be patient and committed.
7. Make Training Fun
Your retired racer has plenty of ingrained, natural behaviours and you should draw from these in order to make training fun.
Find ways of incorporating their love for running, chasing, and his response to prey-like noises. Act silly and watch your dog become more interested in you than anything else around them.
8. Keep Training Simple
It’s important that you break down behaviours into smaller pieces – if your greyhound is not doing it right, chances are you’re moving on too quickly or trying to teach too much all at once.
Keep it training simple and teach each piece separately.
9. Keep Training Short
Greyhounds get bored easily and after 3-4 repetitions of the same exercise, you’ll see their attention start to wonder. If he/she is doing something correctly, repeat it just once or twice and move onto the next exercise. If he/she isn’t ‘getting it’, move onto a simpler exercise and circle back at a later stage.
10. Keep Training Sweet
Negative corrections or ‘punishments’ have no place in the training of your retired racer and being a bully will not build the trust required for a successful relationship.
Rewards – and plenty of them – are incredibly important to the success of a retired racer. Happy training!
How to Care for Your Greyhound Puppy
Greyhounds are experiencing a resurgence in popularity as companion dogs. Quiet, well mannered, and highly intelligent, is it any wonder people want to welcome them to their homes.
There is nothing quite as exciting as taking home your new Greyhound puppy. A big step for you both as your puppy will be experiencing the world for the first time and you will need to learn how to care for him or her. Read on to find out what you need to know.
Find Yourselves a Good Vet
One of the first outings you and your Greyhound puppy will have together should be a trip to the vet. It is important to find a vet that you are both comfortable with and who is familiar with the breed. Greyhounds can suffer from a few breed specific ailments. If you got your puppy from a responsible breeder this shouldn’t be much of a concern.
Brrrrr its Cold Out
Because of their short smooth coats, they are a dream to groom, but the short hair also means minimal insulation.
Babies of any kind struggle to regulate their temperature, so ensure that your Greyhound pup has a nice warm bed to go snuggle down in or a cool shady spot to stay out of the sun.
Be sure to keep your pup warm or cool if you are going to be spending lots of time out of doors.
Socialise, Socialise, Socialise
Socialising your Greyhound puppy is of utmost importance. Your Greyhound needs to become familiar with other environments, meeting new people and getting along and learning the social skills required to successfully navigate situations.
Your puppy will look to you for reassurance, so be calm but firm in your interactions alone and with other people and dogs.
Exercise
Bred to run as you enjoy greyhound betting during break times, your Greyhound puppy is going to need lots of exercise. So, if you don’t have much space at home this means walks and perhaps changing the times to accommodate them.
Not only will the outings use up some of your puppy’s energy but also exposing your pup to new environments makes them happy, confident dogs. Make sure your puppy’s vaccinations are all done, and you have your vets permission before taking it to places it may encounter other dogs.
Training
Be patient with yourself and your Greyhound puppy. Learning new behaviours takes time, consistency, and love. Your Greyhound will need a special collar as they easily slip out of standard clip closed collars.
Greyhounds enjoy routine, so keep to the same schedule, use the same commands, do things in the same manner each time and your Greyhound will reward you with obedience. If you are unsure it may be a good idea to get help from a professional.
Greyhounds are a special breed that make wonderful companions. With a little bit of know how you and your Greyhound will live a long and happy life together.
The Real Costs of Using Your Mare for Breeding
So, you have decided you want to breed your mare. Before you start looking for a sire there are many costs to consider.
Some are more obvious than others, but some good planning and a little bit of research will ensure that you are prepared for the costs you may incur.
Getting your Mare to Conceive
Once you have decided to breed with your mare it is time to establish the pregnancy. There are numerous options available and each carry their own associated costs and risks.
If you do not own a stallion you want to breed with, you will need to decide whether you want your mare naturally covered by a stud, or if you are happy with artificial insemination.
If the sire of choice does not belong to you, you will have to pay stud fees. These fees can range from affordable for ‘the horse next door’ to exorbitant depending on the breeding of the sire, and may require you to win big playing the Ruby Fortune online casino for real money has to offer to afford them.
There will be the additional costs associated with getting the mare to the stallion, the travelling, stabling, feed and veterinary costs.
The costs associated with artificial insemination will include the cost of the semen, the veterinary cost of insemination and for every cycle that passes that the mare does not conceive, more money to redo the process.
Artificial insemination is not as reliable due to the viability of the semen after being cooled or frozen.
Once it has been confirmed that your mare is in foal, there will be costs for additional feed for extra nutritional support and veterinary expenses for vaccinations. In general, pregnancy costs are quite low.
Keep in mind that although your mare can now be kept in much the same way as other horses there is the cost of food and boarding for her and eventually her foal to take into consideration.
Foaling and the Years that Follow
Most mares will safely foal without requiring any intervention. However, one must keep in mind the cost of losing the foal should difficulties arise, so you may want to consider having the vet on hand, or sending the mare away to foal.
There will be post-partum care requirement for both mare and foal, starting with a basic check for good health.
Over the next several years you will be paying for annual vaccinations and deworming. Check-ups including dental care and incidental medical expenses. Farrier costs, whether you shoe your horses or not as trimming will be required from time to time.
Training costs
In the first year of life you should have covered the basics with your foal like lifting the feet and getting used to being tied, but most of its skills will have been left to mom to teach. Now that your foal is old enough you will need to invest in training.
If you yourself are not an experienced horse trainer and you want your horse to be a happy, well-behaved animal it is best to hire a professional. The trainer will get your horse used to the saddle and having a rider on its back. Done properly this will set the stage for year 3 when together you and your horse will need to attend some training to learn and teach stopping, reining and lead changes.
There are many reason to choose to breed instead of purchasing a ready to ride horse. You may be breeding for a specific purpose or as a natural progression in your riding career. Whatever the reason the costs associated with breeding are many and all should be considered before taking this step.