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Heartwood · Sep 6, 2019 6:00 PM

What are everyone's thoughts on this? I already have four GMTed studs that I absolutely adore, two are close-gened so get a little less use.

I'm definitely interested in having some gorgeous mares to cross them with, but the limitation on breeding gives me pause. At most with a full flush + 6 extra pulls per season, you would only get 20 foals per mare per season with no pasture bonus to help them out. (Plus the major dent in funds caused by breeding expenses) Is it still worth it?

Taliesin · Sep 6, 2019 6:18 PM

I think it's worth it, provided you can afford it, when you're trying to start lines with recessive genes. It seriously speeds up the process when you can get 2G's- particularly a 2G stud- that are hom for the recessive gene(s) you're breeding for. That makes your third gen guaranteed het and 50-50 hom, vs the 25-50-25 odds if you cross two hets. I have five GMTed mares- a KP, a snowflake, a KP and snowflake, a chincilla, and an onyx. As you can see, all but one are foundations for recessive lines.

But if the line in question isn't depended on recessive genes, then it's doesn't seem as worth it to me, no. (That onyx actually came about because I GMTed three onyx studs, realized I was never going to use one of them, and turned him into a mare)

I'd like a hom satin and a hom mushroom foundie mares, if I were to GMT more

Alianne · Sep 6, 2019 6:27 PM

I'm in the same line of thinking as Natalya.

You're completely right about the expense. It is crazy expensive. But for me, it's worth it. Everyone blings up studs and it makes sense because of the availability of straws. This means mares seem to be rarer. And a mare that you want specific gene combos/bone/size on? Even more rare. But I look at it this way:

What is the line? ---> Are the genes homozygous to show? ---> Is that what I want from the line? ---> Do I care about keeping the genes true(homozygous in every foal) or do I mind surprises further down the line? If I answer them yes, then that line deserves a special GMTd mare to give me the best chance of success.

If the genes show when heterozygous, I'll GMT the stallion to be homozygous and find the best quality non-GMTd mares to pair him with.

As far as the eggs, my strat is: ages 4-6 mass flush, 7-15 put in pasture, 16-death mass flush.

That's one of the best parts of this game, there are so many different ways to play.

Heartwood · Sep 7, 2019 5:44 AM

@Natalya Thank you, that's super helpful. I never really considered whether the genes were recessively expressed or not as a factor, but that definitely makes sense! My only recessive line right now is mushroom, so I'll have a while to think on that one :)

@Alianne Ah, I love hearing your strategy for egg collection, that sounds like a good plan for those special mares! Thank you, these replies were so helpful, I usually like the surprises and don't have a lot of recessive lines, so I think I'll hold off for now! :x

LEAcres · Sep 7, 2019 5:55 AM

I usually GMT mares... Having too many stallions around makes my anxiety soar lol

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