Breeding Information

To book your mare via shipped semen, print the breeding contract found below, sign, and return it and the booking fee to blackwingponies@icloud.com. Various payment and snail mail options are listed on the breeding contract. Please Note: If you need live cover, email or text for scheduling availability and a copy of the live cover contract.

Sly or Fintan? Who to choose?

While Fintan is Sly’s son, there are differences in the two stallions and, even more so, in what they produce. For the most part, Sly’s foals are quicker and cattier and while they are eager to be with their people and seek to please, he rarely adds “quiet” to his offspring. The Fintan foals are calm and respectful while still ready for adventure. Fintan will tone down heat. Sly generally makes heat a bit friendlier- but it is still there! Neither boy has consistently added “go” to mares who are dull or lethargic. Both boys add trainability to a wide variety of mares.

Fintan adds a substantial amount of bone to his offspring and adds power to all three gaits. Sly punches up movement- especially in the canter- often adding his quick, active hind leg. Fintan gives suspension to all gaits. Both boys add reach and an ability to sit and compress. Sly has a freer shoulder. Fintan has a better neck set.

Many of the Fintans are born big and substantial then LEAP up in height only to take years to add width and depth. The Sly’s are leggy at birth but slowly put on both height and bone until mature. Both boys tend to add height to mares, even mares taller than themselves though Sly seems to add more height to the purebred Connemara mares than his son. Both boys add that famed “Irish fifth leg” and the Connemara sense of humor.

Breed to Sly and you will have a grey foal regardless of birth color. Breed to Fintan and you have a 50% chance of grey. Both boys were born bay and therefore do not carry a dilute gene. Fintan has produced multiple chestnut foals. Sly is a carrier of HWSD so if it is important to you to stay clear of those genes, choose Fintan who is n/n.

On a jump course, both boys are bold without being foolish, are easily rated, tolerant of mistakes, and willing to jump out of their skins if asked. Fintan takes repeated “jokes” better than Sly as Sly has a tendency to believe his rider no matter the cue. Both boys are happy and willing to work on their flatwork and both enjoy going places and doing new things. Both boys have excellent temperaments, incredible work ethics, and seem to truly enjoy being “family” ponies regardless of task. Overall, Fintan is more laidback than Sly. He truly is my surfer dude. Sly is my energizer bunny.

If you have more questions about the boys or want help deciding which one will work best with your mare, don’t hesitate to ask. Email, text, or call with your questions. I’m always happy to chat about the boys and their offspring.