I have to agree with Donna. Recently went
looking for a new horse. I visited several farms that had around 10
"babies", all had been for sale for some time. There is simply no interest
in them, yet these breeders had several more mare due this spring. I
purchased my horse from a breeder that had 9 full siblings, all for sale
since weanlings, I bought the youngest (9YO)!
In my area there are numerous $500-$1500 arabs for
sale. To me this indicates an overpopulation. They have been
overproduced and breeders end up giving them away to save themselves
financially.
I wonder where that overbreeding is when the annual numbers of newly
registered horses are declining in the AHA and the average age of a registered
Arabian in the US is in its teens.
Bargain
hunters are everywhere--look at the success of E-Bay! There still seems
to be a lot of overbreeding in the Arabian world--any times by small
breeders who breed a mare or so and end up with more horses then they
can feed. Many times these horses are from quality bloodlines and the
breeders' just want "out" and price is reflected in give away prices.
Some time the purchase is a bargain, but many times the young horses
were not fed properly, feet allowed to get out of wack, worming irratic
or not at all, vaccines etc. haphazard and training, marginal, at
best. Contrast that with a farm that puts a great deal of thought into
bloodlines, even importing stallions, and builds up a perfect facility
to insure that the horses are properly cared for and they never lack
health care, training etc. If you are seriously in search of a horse
that will be competitive and not have problems, where would you purchase
your horse? Would you spend the time it effort to find that perfect
"back yard" horse or go to the breeder who has spent the time, money and
effort to build up a bloodline that will prove itself? If one doesn't
see a reason to spend the few thousand dollars more for the young horses
that are cared for and brought up in an optimum way, then why and how
can any large farm stay in business? Why should time, money etc. be
expended to develop good, sound, and well bred stock? And do not flame
me, because yes, small breeders can be passionately involved in the care
of their horses-- They can afford, up to a point, to give quality
care!! I am just asking the question--why *should* or *would *anyone
establish a breeding farm, when they have to compete with the
low-dollar, giveaway
prices!
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