ASKING how much it costs to breed and produce a foal is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string as there are so many variables.

Many people are breeding horses with the uncalculated assumption that they might make a profit for the time and money invested. But how many are actually working out how much money is being spent and what the margins are?

The costs listed in the accompanying tables are calculated on the basis of getting an average mare in foal and includes all the usual husbandry practices for both mare and foal. Stud fees can range from as low as €200 to €85,000 and more. Costs only assume minimal veterinary treatments and this is an area where costs can dramatically alter.