 |
Re: [RC] To breed or not to breed - Barbara McCraryI agree somewhat with Susan, but not entirely. Someone out there may like the horse you bred well enough to buy it. But I agree that many others can and do breed better horses than one can, oneself. Probably the best part is the satisfaction of seeing one's own homebred horse come along and do nicely at endurance. For others, it's more than "do nicely", it's "outstanding success". But I will say that breeding the very few I have has been costly. The last foal we bred is coming four in August next, and she has a lovely disposition. But she cost me at least $2500 before she ever hit the ground. Breeding horses may be a money-maker for some who are set up for it, such as having unlimited pasture to raise them on, being one's own vet, etc., but for many of us, it's a money drain. It was fun while it lasted, but I wouldn't do it again. Barbara McCrary ----- Original Message ----- From: <suendavid@xxxxxxx> To: <walkergirl@xxxxxxxxxx> Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 11:44 AM Subject: Re: [RC] To breed or not to breed lately for me is breeding. I have always wanted to breed and raise my own foal, and possibly to breed foals for sale. Yes, I KNOW it is the most expensive way to get a horse, and no, I have no delusions about making money at it... it would be purely a hobby.I've bred three foals and still own all three. Speaking *only* for myself, I don't kid myself that I have such wisdom or unique insight that I can produce horses that no one else could produce better. There are thousands and thousands of excess, unwanted horses (dogs, kitties, etc etc etc) bred by people that just wanted them as a hobby. This is NOT a judgement on you, Amanda. It was just my own personal feeling that if I was going to put a foal on the ground, then it was my responsibility to provide a home for life and never foist it onto an already overburdened market. So, I have my three "foals" (13, 7 and 2), they're all wonderful, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I just always thought breeding horses should be like having children---if you're not prepared to be responsible for the consequences, good or bad, don't have them in the first place. Don't mean to sound like a crotchety old grouch. Just my two cents. :-) Susan G =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|