What age should you stop breeding at?

[pukkapony]

I'm considering getting a 14 yr old Welsh A brood mare. She's had 4 foals in the last 6 years (i'm told) the last 3 of which have been very happy healthy babies.

Her current owner has stressed of her breeding potential (not why I would like to buy her, but something to consider) but in my personal opinion 14 is a bit old to foal surely?

What do other people think on this? I had a look on google and 16 seems to be a well suggested age but I did come across someone who foals actively from 24 - 26 yr old mares still!!!

[JockeyWannabe]

16 seems a reasonable age, 24-26 is ridiculous really. I suppose it all depends on the individual horse, their health and what else you intend on doing with them.

I would never consider breeding a horse over the age of 18 years but that is just me

Hope this sort of helps

[CookieComeTrue]

Personally if I bred I'd retire my mares from breeding at 12-14 depending on their foals. My little foal Poppi was out of a 21 year old mare yet they were happy. If the horse wasn't happy it'd be earlier.