I've had a mare bred once. She was not a maiden mare, but the stallion owner insisted on hobbles when I visited with him after going over to see the stud. I made sure my mare was comfortable with hobbles before I took her to be bred. Had she been nonreceptive to the stallion, I would not have let the breeding happen, but everything turned out fine-- she stood well, the hobbles were on but not needed, and the stallion was gentlemanly.

A stallion owner is trying to protect his investment by using hobbles. I have no problem having hobbles used on a mare as long as she is accustomed to them and is receptive to the stallion. When nervous maiden mares are hobbled for the first time in their lives, twitched, and mounted, I can see why they react negatively the next time they're bred... I don't think that's right.

A little bit of time and care will ensure a safe breeding for both animals.

Now, I've heard of several BYB idiots who think they can hobble a mare and get her bred when she's not in season.... doesn't work that way, folks. And of course, non-horse people see a photo of a mare hobbled and assume it's been done because she didn't want to be bred instead of as a precaution to protect the stallion.