The Mares Matter: Breeding for Mind, Movement, and Mama Instincts
- afenner
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
In the world of horse breeding, stallions tend to steal the spotlight. They get the headlines, the ads, the billboards. But anyone who’s built a program worth keeping knows — it’s the mares that are the foundation.
At Rad Rodeo, we believe in breeding from the bottom up. And that means being obsessed with our mares.
Their minds. Their movement. Their mama instincts. Because a foal isn’t just a product of pedigree — it’s the result of a whole lot of wisdom walking on four legs.
Great Mares Raise Great Foals
It starts with the mind. We look for mares who are:
Sensible and kind.
Bold but not belligerent.
The kind of horse you’d want your kid to ride.
Those traits aren’t accidents — they’re inherited.
If a mare can’t keep her cool, think under pressure, or model good behavior, she’s not what we want raising the next generation.
And yes, we mean raising. Because around here, we don’t just breed — we raise. That mama has a big job.
Movement That Means Something
We aren’t just chasing flashy movers. We want movement with purpose.
A stride that covers ground without wasting energy.
A hip that drives.
A front end that stays balanced and pulls through turns.
Whether it’s a barrel prospect, a rope horse, or a ranch pony — good movement makes everything easier.
Our mares set that tone. Their build, their way of traveling — it shows up in every colt.
Mama Instincts Matter
A good mama is worth her weight in gold. We’ve seen mares that:
Protect their foals but don’t panic.
Let us handle babies without fuss.
Teach their young ones how to be calm, curious, and connected.
Those early lessons stick. A foal raised by a confident, calm mare starts life two steps ahead.
We’ve Built Around Them
Yes, we have studs. But our program is heavily focused on mares. Our favorite crosses, our most consistent performers — they all trace back to a handful of exceptional mares.
And the more we learn, the more we double down on that strategy. Because a great mare gives you more than a foal. She gives you a line. A legacy.
Final Thoughts
At Rad Rodeo, we believe mares are more than producers — they’re partners.
So we honor them. We invest in them. We build our future on their backs.
Because when the mares are right, everything else falls into place.
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Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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