Re: RC: Re: RE: Breeding for Endurance,why it dosn't pay

[Bonita Young <corky@rabbitbrush.com>]

In MHO, in all the sniveling about  cheep horses and why it doesn't pay
to breed endurance horses you have all left out several factors.  First
of all how many relay competitive riders that  are out there compared to
the number of riders that are happy just to finnish a ride.  At the most
10 - 15 percent.  Of that number how many are interested in the relay
big rides like international rides where there is the opportunity for
large monetary prizes, not many!  These are the people endurance
breeders are justified in selling there superior product to and the
price is also justified.  Most of these people are at the top of there
game and I would think would want the very best money can buy.  Some are
breeders themselves, or at least will breed there very special mare to a
proven endurance producing stallion.

On the other hand the other 85 percent of the finishers have different
goals.  Many are new riders that are going to take old nellie or ned
that they have had as a pleasure horse and decide to try endurance.
Many of these horses can and do finnish rides.  You have also left out
of the equation the fact that many riders are truly attached to there
horse.  They know they will never top ten or win a ride or BC, they
don't care, it is a powerful feeling of accomplishment for them just to
finnish.  They would no sooner think of selling there horse than selling
there kids.   They know he is not perfect and they love him anyway with
all his faults.  Some of these folks may go on to outgrow there old
goals and go on to better bred horses, many will not.


I was in the breeding business my self for a number of years, and I got
out for the same reasons the rest of you have MONEY.  Thank god there or
some people that can and will continue to breed good horses just because
they  can.  Some will sacrifice many things to continue to raise
horses.  Unfortunately the numbers are just not there for large numbers
of people to be in the business of breeding and raising  endurance
horses.  I do believe that there are many good horses  out there that
are available at prices the average person a can afford ($1,000 -
$2,500).  I also know from experience that that dose not cover the cost
of raising a foal to riding age, much less training.  There are bargains
to be found in the horse world just like every where else, all it takes
is a good eye, a lot of horse since, a lot of experience and a lot of
LUCK.

Corky Young
Spring Creek, Nevada