Mare Management
The Mare Management Program covers all aspects of the breeding process, from insemination to weaning. Mares live out in large pastures 24/7, with large sheds and individual feeding. They receive daily checking over and weekly grooming. We have a wonderful reproduction veterinarian we have worked with for many years, Dr. John Weaver, who oversees each mare’s breeding. Inseminations are performed on the farm by experienced Hilltop staff. We have a very experienced team of people on hand for foaling out. As mares near the end of their gestation they begin coming in overnight to generously sized stalls and are under 24 hour watch. Once the foal arrives mares and foals begin turnout in individual grass paddocks when they are both physically ready and once settled in outdoor turnout they begin group turnout with other mares and foals. This process is normally done over the first few weeks of their lives and then they begin 24/7 turnout.
Our Mare Management Program ties uniquely in with our Raising Program and is a wonderful solution for those looking for a safe, well-staffed environment to handle the foaling out and/or breeding of their mare. Hilltop offers Short Term, Long Term and Mini Management Programs..
Short Term Management includes care for your mare from breeding to her 30 day pregnancy check. This check would be the final required check for Short Term Management although mares are welcome to stay through their 60 or 90 day pregnancy checks if desired.
Long Term Management is for those who wish to leave their mares in our care year-round.
Mini Management : For those looking to do the majority of the management of their mare at home we now offer the Mini Management Program as another option to our already popular Short and Long Term options. With this Program the mare owner tracks the mare’s heat cycle at home and brings the mare to Hilltop when she is close to or ready for breeding. The mare will remain at Hilltop for the insemination process and once she has ovulated she can return back to her owner’s care. While here the mare will be on stall board with individual turnout.
Foaling Services are available on a limited basis each year. This option is designed primarily for mares in Long Term Management, although shorter term options are available on a very limited basis. Typically mares come for foaling through weaning and then return home. Foals out of these mares have the option of joining the Raising Program or also leaving after weaning. Flexibility on short term options depends on space. It is required that mares arrive for Foaling Services at least a month ahead of their estimated due date.
Priority in all aspects of Mare Management is given to mares being bred to or currently in foal to stallions in Hilltop’s lineup. We do accept mares being bred to outside stallions if space allows. Breeding with both fresh cooled and frozen semen is available.
2012 Availability
We are full for both Foaling and Mare Management Services for 2012
If you would like to receive information for 2013 services once available, please contact Melissa Burke at melissa@hilltopfarminc.com.
