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littlearabians
Gold Member
1323 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Sep 2011 : 1:38:02 PM
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I had a conversation with a friend yesterday regarding selling colts, and my friend mad a comment that made me think "we are both in it to make money"....
In my view it couldnt be much more wrong, Im surely not breeding because I want to make money (think I would bee breeding some different blood then, or store cattle rather then horses)... Im in it because of my love for the classic Polish horses (other horses attract me too but I ONLY breed classic Polish)... Im in it to try and keep some classic blood that I believe is good, and that I love with all my heart and soul... yes I will have one for sale every now and again, as its silly to keep every single colt or filly for that matter... however I will as many others mainly sell colts/ geldings as I only make coverings where I would like to retain a filly from... both Arab fillies Ive bred could have been sold for good money several times, they are still here as the reason for making them was to keep them... guess that proves Im not in it for money, ill rather die happy then rich.
Anyway the line made me think.... perhaps some people are in it for money?... is this part of the reason the market is so overstocked?, perhaps they breed more then they can afford to keep, is this why colts are selling from as little as £500?...
why are YOU in it?
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www.littlearabians.com
Classic Polish Arabians
Worcester based
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delly-b
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1107 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2011 : 2:39:10 PM
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Ha ha ... My first reaction of an answer was because I'm stupid and soft!
When I first came across a colt that I fell in love with I thought it was a good "business" opportunity as I could sell some offspring ... Or that's how I sold it to my hubby 
I bred my first foal, to keep and for the experience (I knew it wouldn't be going anywhere) ... My second was a let's see if it happens, as I gelded dad shortly after the mare was covered. She turned out to be a lovely filly with such a sweet temperament, that I can't possibly part with her,,, oops!
So, that's my breeding over, for the forseeable future anyway. I'm just too soft and too stupid to part with them! |
       
Adele
Batley, West Yorkshire |
Edited by - delly-b on 16 Sep 2011 2:43:51 PM |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2011 : 3:11:17 PM
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Well having finacially 'supported' our 35 years of breeding my OH would tell you what a 'money pit' a stud is. We hve bred some highly sucessful stock but it seems folks are willing to spend more on their sadde than what they are putting it on. We forego holidays, decent cars and many other day to day luxuries that 'normal' people take for granted.
When we breed a foal we accept that it will probably be our responsibility to rear it to the age of 5 and all that that entails. This usually adds up to a sizeable financial loss let alone counting the man hours involved. So why do we do it, some sort of insanity I suspect, studs that employ a workforce must find it hard to make their venture pay. I did the sums on value of brood mare, depreciation of mare, annual keep of stallion, feed, grazing, contractor, fertiliser, fencing, baling, vaccinations, farrier, rugs. If you add on competition expenses and transport you come to a tidy sum that noone is prepared to pay yet everyone wants a horse with some experience that will pass a 5* vetting for the price of a saddle. No wonder so many people are giving up breeding, or at least the people who are doing it properly with care for the youngsters and matching their bloodlines with considered breedings. I do wonder what will be on offer in a few years time as more and more people are owning a horse as their hobby and less and less caring breeders are continuing. For the first time in our studs existance NO MARES were covered this year.
Mrs V. the ancient. |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2011 : 4:25:06 PM
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Mrs V I know where you are coming from! I had no foals born this year due to the current situation , but I have covered for a foal next year.
I breed because I think I am good at it I have lines I want to continue so that one day, some folk might recognise my breeding programme and its influence on the quality of future generations of my horses .
I very often keep my foals until they are a good age, sometimes up to 4 years old before finding homes and those homes have to be vetted, so selling is always at a loss of breeding and running on .
just to cover the costs would be in excess of £5,000 !as for making money ??? no I have never made money , I have lost huge amounts , but then I dont really count the cost because this is not why I do it! if I did I would be a pauper by now ( what am I saying! I AM a pauper!! !)  |
   
www.dreamfield-arabians.com |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2011 : 5:34:40 PM
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| I seem to lose money on every horse i have bred by the time i have kept them till they are old enough to break then found a suitable home i do not want to think about how much money it has cost. I have been trying to breed myself a colt but after 4 fillies on the trot i have admitted defeat and bought myself one, i think in the long run this will be cheaper than trying again. When i breed them i always ask for first chance to buy them back if for some reason it dose not work out with the new owner, i have got one back this week , i hope by taking them back and rehoming them myself i can at least try and secure them a good future, it dose not always work this way but i try. So the answer is no i do noy breed for the money , i enjoy doing it, i am a pauper too Lyndilou |
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gem@oakmeister
Silver Member
421 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2011 : 6:40:53 PM
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Fools breed horses for wise men to ride. Never a truer word spoken. I'm a fool and I don't care. I could make money as some people do, but I prefer to do the job properly and set my babies up for the rest of their life. I did add up the costs for one year once. Almost had a heart attack.
Some I know don't worm, trim feet or feed properly and churn out foal after foal, strangely manage to sell most of the time.
The proof of good breeding practice (and bad) shows up in the end, sadly it is often to late by then, and takes many years to build a reputation, good and bad.
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TC
Gold Member
Scotland
621 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2011 : 3:22:14 PM
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I can't imagine how any decent breeder of horses makes money at all, what with vet fees, innoculations, upkeep, time etc etc. I think you must do it for the love of your breed and thank god for the good ones, without whom I wouldn't have my girl. I have no experience and wouldn't know where to start.........much easier to get the "here's one I prepared earlier" horse!!
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2011 : 5:59:13 PM
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| Mrs Vlacq, I know it isn't much consolation when the feed bills arrive and the Landy demands attention, but the pleasure you have brought to your owners is beyond price and for this we truly thank you. |
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in it for money?
