Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I actually put my colts together so they are "breeding" (or so they 
think) very young--- ;-)
Actually they are learning pasture manners and you don't mount a horse 
without an invitation-- and even then you are careful. Then they go up 
to the in with a bigger gelding to teach them humility and finally in 
with a bred brood mare for "college" and to learn that just because 
she's a mare, doesn't mean you breed her. Because of this, I can take my 
boys anywhere where there are mares in heat or not and they are not 
total idiots. I have 2 stallions in together (call it the "gay 
caballero" pasture) and my tow young ones are next to each other and 
nose over the fence (the pasture is too small for their games and while 
running, the youngest ran into branches-- have to stake out a bigger 
area for the youngsters and their horseplay.
I am a firm believer in letting stallions be as natural as possible, and 
yes, I have always pasture-bred my own and frequently have let the mare 
stay in with the boy until almost due--- some of my guys are a lot more 
romantic than many husbands.
I realize I am taking a risk, but then I'd rather have a horse with a 
little cosmetic blemish than an idiot during breeding. I start them at 
3-- they are still insecure and are timid towards the mares-- they seem 
to take direction from them better.
No, I would not put a kicky mare in with them-- I am selective and only 
initially put then in at "whorehouse" heat the first time so that the 
mare bonds with the stallion and does not really want to hurt him after 
she goes out of heat.
This works for me and my horses-- but then I'm sure many would disagree 
and that's OK to. We all know what opinions are like and everybody's got 
one.;-)
Bette and Bunny (who wishes he was able to breed-- just once??)

Kristene Smuts wrote:

> Sorry guys for the rudeness, have been a bit snowed here.
>
>  
>
> > > Lynn : A part of why these folks get lots of breeding is that they use 
> > >      
> professional equine photographers to get those gorgeous "pin-up" 
> images>>
>
> A friend once sent me a picture of a "stunning" stallion.  I started picking the picture apart and then turned my attention to the actual horse.  When we were finished, the poor horse looked like a donkey!  I must admit though, those pictures are the ones who sell the horse, not his conformation, sadly.  It's amazing that every time I bring out my camera, all the horses have to come breathe into the lens - I get fish-eye photos of nostrils! ;-))
>
> Beth, you made a good point of how much it would cost to promote a horse.  And that, unfortunately, is where a lot of good "no name" horses get lost.  As you've all guessed, my hypothetical stallion is real but it was fun to get your views.  My boy is certainly not perfect, but he has a high percentage of Crabbet in him and he throws tall horses - I saw one colt of his that he bred before I got him and his two colts now on the ground are of very good quality.  One colt is from a Saddlebred mare (my own) and the other from a pure Crabbet mare (leased).  Sadly the latter died of African Horse Sickness so her wonderful genes will have to live on in her foal.
>
> Now, I'd like to ask another question.  In your collective opinion, what is the best age to breed a colt / stallion?  I lean towards 6 years old, but I know that the breeding yards like to get those boys busy from as young as 2.  Any thoughts?
>
> BTW, I once offered a covering to somebody I thought might actually LOOK at my boy, but all the person said was "his jowel is a bit small" (NOT)!  Perhaps she couldn't find anything else wrong with him ;-))  The cosmetic faults on him is a collapsed ear from ticks as a foal and he had a very bad fungal skin infection that left him with bare patches where the boils were, in addition he has some blemishes on his legs caused by wire (also before I got him).  He is so laid back that he looks like he couldn't rustle up enough energy to notice a mare at the best of times!  So, not a "pretty" sight by any means and hardly something to be considered when looking for a stunning stallion for your amazing offspring ;-))
>
> Oh well, he's a darling and if he gets more whoopie, then I guess it would be a bonus!
>
> Kristene
> South Africa
>
> ==========================================================
> One of the great joys of being a pompous idiot is that you can do and think
> whatever you want. 
> ~  Homer Safferwiffle
>
> ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
>
> ==========================================================
>
>
>  

--
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians
Home of Bunny and 16.2h TLA Halynov
who lives on through his legacy Hal's Riverdance!
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com

Always remember: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." (George Carlin)



============================================================
The very essence of our sport is doing the trail as quickly as practicable,
while keeping one's horse fit to continue.  Taking the clock out of the
equation makes it another sport altogether.  The challenge is how to keep
the sport what it is while honing our skills (both as riders and as those
in control roles) in detecting where "the edge" is for each horse so that
we don't cross it. 
~  Heidi Smith
ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/

============================================================