A stud mare is a mare kept specifically for breeding purposes. There are many synonyms for stud mare, including brood mare, breeding mare, mare in foal, and dam. A brood mare is a female horse that is used primarily for breeding, while a mare in foal refers to a mare that is currently pregnant. A dam is a female horse that has given birth to at least one foal. These terms are often used interchangeably, depending on the context and intentions of the breeder. Regardless of the terminology used, the role of the mare in a breeding program is crucial to the success of any horse breeding endeavor.