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[RC] [RC] To breed or not to breed - please Rethink - Sarah WI have to add my own opinion here, as I actively try to help unwanted animals all the time - dogs, cats, and horses. I have even considered trying to rescue parrots. My most recent excursion was bringing home 2 reg. Arab weanlings that were unwanted. Their breeding is mediocre, and both have excellent dispositions. I'm awaiting to see the final outcome of their conformations. These poor guys were brought into the world by a backyard, hobby breeder who couldn't find someone to take them. And, consequently, didn't have room to keep them due to her next crop. She had at least 3 other weanlings in the same predictament when I picked up mine. Before breeding, especialy for hobby, go hang out at the local weekend auctions. Visit with the local rescue groups. Whatever you do, REALIZE how many unwanted horses are floating around waiting to find a home. Sure, everyone loves babies, and you're talking small scale breeding only. But for every horse that is brought into the world, you're potentially taking away a home for a horse that was already here. A suggestion, if you're interested in working with weanlings, talk to a locally established breeding farm to see if they want any help during their season. I do not mean to trample the grand idea of responsible hobby breeding, but I have seen what happens when no one wants a horse. I have rescued 5 different horses (every horse I've ever owned) directly resulting from backyard breeding. I have only placed out 1 with a new home, but still have her foal (that was born on my farm) who is now a 2yr old. And definitely did not recover my costs with her. Should I sell the 2yr old, it will be a hard sell - he lacks in height from improper breeding. Please consider this point of view before jumping into breeding. You are getting the same arguement that my neighbor gets, as she is strung out to breed for QH foals every year, but hasn't placed out any from her last 2 seasons - and then complains about her high feed costs. Sarah Lansing, MI __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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