Broodmare AFTERTHOUGHT?
Why We’re Losing Good Mares Before They Even Get a Chance
🐴Introduction:
• We talk a lot about the value of good mares—but are we actually setting them up to be part of North America’s breeding future?
• The truth? Too many mares are shown first and only considered for breeding after they’re injured or done with sport.
🧐The Problem:
• Many North American mares go through their competitive careers without ever being inspected or approved for breeding.
• When they’re injured or retired, they’re marketed as “broodmare prospects”—but it’s often too late to gain full approval.
• Older mares may receive lower inspection scores due to reduced movement or conformation changes.
• Some are ineligible for approval due to incomplete or unapproved bloodlines.
• This delays or blocks access to breeding for mares that could have contributed meaningfully.
🌍How It’s Different in Europe:
• European breeders commonly inspect and approve young mares early, before risk or wear from sport.
• Approval is a FOUNDATION, not an afterthought. Even mares with modest performance records are valued if they have strong, proven lines.
🤷🏼♀️Why This Matters:
• Injuries shouldn’t be the deciding factor for when a mare enters the breeding shed.
• Without proactive approval and tracking, we lose access to genetic value we already have—simply because we didn’t plan ahead.
👍 What We CAN do:
• APPROVE MARES EARLY, ideally before their sport career starts.
• Host and attend local mare inspections to create more access.
• Track and promote pedigrees and approvals from the start—not just when mares are done showing.
• Encourage trainers and riders to work with breeders to preserve options for mares with potential.
📣Call to Action:
• Broodmare approval isn’t a backup plan—it’s a foundation.
• A great mare deserves a place in our future before her show career ends.
• “Let’s stop making breeding an afterthought for great mares.”
✅ Warmblood Registries with Mare Inspections in North America:
1. German Holsteiner Verband – North American District
https://www.holsteiner.com/inspections
2. Oldenburg Horse Breeders’ Society (GOV)
https://oldenburger-pferde.com/en/breeding/mares/
3. Oldenburg Registry North America (ISR/Oldenburg NA)
https://www.isroldenburg.org/
4. American Hanoverian Society / Rhineland
https://hanoverian.org/inspections/
5. Westfalen Verband North America (includes RPSI)
https://westfalenverband.com/inspections/tour_schedule.html
6. KWPN-NA (Royal Dutch Warmblood)
https://kwpn-na.org/keurings/general-information/general-keuring-information/
7. Belgian Warmblood North American District (BWP/NAD)
https://www.belgianwarmblood.com/elitemares/inspection-registration
8. Swedish Warmblood Association of North America (SWANA)
https://swana.swb.org
9. American Warmblood Society & Sporthorse Registry (AWSSR)
https://awssr.org/registry/inspections
10. American Warmblood Registry (AWR)
https://americanwarmblood.com/inspection-schedule
11. North American Studbook (NAS)
https://northamericanstudbook.com/
12. Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association (CWHBA)
https://canadianwarmbloods.com/
13. Canadian Sport Horse Association (CSHA)
https://www.c-s-h-a.org/
14. North American Sportpony Registry (NASPR)
https://americansportpony.com/
15. American Trakehner Association (ATA)
https://americantrakehner.com/inspections/
16. Trakehner Association of North America (TANA)
https://www.trakehnerassociation.com
For a full list of all registries recognized by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH), please visit: https://wbfsh.com/
✳️ Always CONFIRM inspection details directly with each registry, as dates and requirements can vary. If you have questions about registering or presenting your mare, contacting the registry is the best first step.
Bringing Breeders and Buyers Together
Diana Schneider
Founder & CEO
Warmblood Breeders Boutique
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