Breeding...the Pros and Cons: My grandmother introduced me to Quarter Horses within weeks of my birth...literally, on Poco. I loved the horses, ponies, and cleaning stalls in the barn for her...except in the Illinois winters. My Grandma also introduced me to the Western Horseman and the Quarter Horse Journal when I was 3...I would color in them and look at the pictures until first grade when I could read and remember the horses. My grandmother taught me in the 60s what to look for in broodmares regarding their minds, conformation, and bloodlines...I believe that she taught me well and would be happy with my decisions during the past 35 years in breeding, finding, and buying halter, western pleasure, and hunt seat horses. More importantly, my Grandma and many trainers, along with the evolution and specialization in Quarter horses, have truly helped me throughout the past 45 years by riding barrel and pole horses; dressage; hunters; western pleasure horses since 1968; longe liners from 1999 through the present; and then focusing on the hunt seat horses since 2003. I believe that all of these specialties have helped me grasp the importance of form to function that is critical, along with great hocks, on any horse for their designated discipline. I have refined my broodmares from 20 in January, 2008 to 5 mares presently. I have been happy and so very satisfied to see the mares that I have sold become foundation broodmares for top trainers and/or their clients...it tells me that I have been on the right path while I also love creating breeding programs for individuals, too. I have never bothered to keep count or track of the show success for the mares, foals, or prospects that I have sold since 1995...many have done very, very well. However, I have tried to keep better track of what is happening with the foals or prospects that I have sold in the past 5 years so that I may inform potential buyers regarding half or full siblings. I felt that the economy was changing in the Fall of 2007 for the horse industry and then it fell off a cliff after the Fall, 2008 Financial Implosion. From a financial abyss springs opportunity for those who are highly selective, informed, and guard their investments prudently. I feel that the time may be presenting itself in the horse breeding industry, but no one has a crystal ball. However, the liquidation of broodmares and stallions since the breeding bubble top in 2000 from many outstanding icons in the Quarter Horse industry such as Perrys, Carol Rose, Steyskals, Judy Pryor, and others have supported my mantra for 5 years that less is more. Right now, it does not pay to breed average horses due to the prices of weanlings falling in the past 15 years while vet expenses, feed, hay, shavings, and all related costs have been exponential. I doubt that many breeders remember when it was common to sell a pleasure horse baby for $25,000 or that yearlings would sell out of the pasture for $25,000-$35,000 in the late 90s and early 2000-2004? They still can sell for $10,000-$15,000, but sales are much harder for a similarly bred and moving foal since the market has contracted so much from lack of demand and buyers. I have retained our 3 Congress Champion Hunt Seat broodmares whom I love for different reasons, but they are producing great legged and super minded foals along with beauty which is imperative today...they must have all gaits and be trainable. Niki has not yet had her foal, but I cannot contain my excitement for her first foal by Invy...I just hope that all goes well and that we indeed get a healthy foal. Regarding the Western Pleasure, I love a great and natural moving young horse who can do it effortlessly and easily....they are a joy to behold but so rare to breed or own. I love those horses that take your breath away. I have 2 outstanding looking and moving Western Pleasure broodmares who have strong maternal lines in addition to being very nice movers, themselves, which is more important than just having great papers. Carlys foals have been extraordinary from 3 different studs while I cannot wait until early January for Prettys foal by Lazy Loper. Due to my love of breeding and the business aspects associated with the current economics in the Quarter Horse industry, I bought The Only Escape to join The Game Changer to try to positively affect the industry and to give back to so many who have been so great to me throughout the past 27 years in buying foals, broodmares, yearlings, show horses, and supporting Misko Quarter Horses. I do not believe in tire kickers wasting my time....you may not have the funds today, but I respect your desire and hope to own a great horse...I do know that longing and feeling only too well, so I am happy to talk to you and when you save and have the opportunity to buy your dream horse, I hope that I may help you fulfill your dream. For those who have a budget or must sell their horse first, I get that only too well, too! Still, I am here and hope to be here in the future to wait for that event to occur. I guess that the crux of what I am trying to express is that I thank all of you who are considering my mares; babies; my studs for future breeding; my current riding horses that are ready to show; or my prospective show horses. I have now incorporated language into my sales contracts that will protect buyers which I feel is critical for emotional and business security. No one should get a horse home that changes dramatically or have a horse get to a show that is not as represented to prepare and show. Thank you for your support for my breeding program, my stallions, and for trusting my trainers for their representations for my horses in training. k
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 00:12:24 +0000
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