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The economy; how it's hitting
Topic Started: Jan 28 2009, 11:14 AM (329 Views)
mpetrecz
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I just heard that another breeder has gotten out of the business. I know it's not hitting everyone...but the amount of young horses not selling well is overwhelming. I'm kinda surprised no one here is talking about it.

There have to be ways .....long term...short term....... that we can help overall. I am thinking of making really affordable beginner lessons available for the children whos parents may not be able to afford lessons at this point. I haven't taught before....always been a proud ammy......but feel for the betterment of horses that this may be one way to get more people involved long term.

I have been absent from the boards.....I've been reading alot of posts and love all the baby pictures and the info from equine reproduction......I am just so saddened by way the horse industry is being hit.
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NZ Loopy Lou
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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In our small way, we have scaled right back and leased our broodmares to outside individuals who are breeding the one foal for themselves. We have made the arrangement affordable by giving these people good deals on using our stallions and leasing the mares for free. It helps us too as they will take responsibility for insurance and the mare over the winter period, thereby cutting our costs plus it keeps our mares in useful service.

We have also leased one of our stallions for a couple of seasons to someone who is going to breed a few of her own mares and offer him to outside mares. She will break him in while he is there, saving us a not inconsiderable cost - we don't break our own. This situation is win:win as the leaser gets a nice animal to put over her mares for the cost of a couple of year's insurance cover and the time and costs involved of educating him under saddle and campaigning him and we get our boy back later, under saddle with good ridden mileage without having to pay for this service. But gee I am missing him!!!!

The only foal we are breeding ourselves is in partnership with the mare owner and will be retained by us if it is a filly but on the market if it is a colt. Costs are split down the middle so it is going to be a lot more affordable for both the mare owner and ourselves. It will be the only foal we have next season so, if it is not a filly and does not sell as a weanling, we can hold on to it for 2 or even 3 years if need be and hopefully the economy will be in a better shape by then! Thankfully we have had no trouble selling our youngstock this season but I am not prepared to assume that next season will be the same!

I see some are still breeding at the same levels as they have been in recent years and these are often people who have struggled to sell youngstock in a good economy - it worries me, for the horses especially. I think there are people out there who are quite blinkered and not accepting of what is going on. Hopefully they will realise, before it is too late for their horses and for them...
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mpetrecz
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I'm sending my filly away for a few months and know I'll miss her. She will eventually be sold......I guess this will be the first separation for her and me ): I really want to make sure she will go to a show home, and making her show ready and rideable is my goal. My pony filly will stay with me and be started here. Again, I want her show ready and rideable also.

I love stallions and I'm sure yours is a delight. Please post his progress. I love following the big boys.

I haven't bred my mares the past 2 seasons......and want to breed them both this yr. I will most likely breed only my TB mare. I've struggled with the stallion....but have picked JLA Sir William...love the Liseters and would like to get my own while I can.

I think I'll finish my ring, find a lesson horse and pony....and give lessons on the cheap or as close to free as I can. I figure with the market so bad....so many out of work....so many horses for sale.....maybe I can help a young person learn how wonderful horses are safely and correctly. Plus it'll keep me busy..... ;)

Mary





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sixpoundfarm
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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mpetrecz
Jan 28 2009, 04:07 PM

I think I'll finish my ring, find a lesson horse and pony....and give lessons on the cheap or as close to free as I can. I figure with the market so bad....so many out of work....so many horses for sale.....maybe I can help a young person learn how wonderful horses are safely and correctly. Plus it'll keep me busy..... ;)

Mary





Wow, that is really admirable, kudos to you for making such a thoughtful effort to give back to your community.
Edited by sixpoundfarm, Jan 28 2009, 07:02 PM.
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