1) I will probably go through a breeder to get my first horse, and I want to make sure I'm not supporting someone unethical.
2) I may (and I emphasize may) one day buy a mare with the intent to breed.
I come from the dog fancy, and know generally what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to dogs. However, the horse is a very different animal, and so is the fancy. I'm sure there are similarities, as a lot of what is considered ethical is plain old common sense. However, there are also undoubtedly differences.
There is a lot of gray area when it comes to what is ethical, but what, in your opinion, makes a person a good breeder, and what makes them a bad breeder.
A good breeder in the horse world, just like in the dog world, breeds with a purpose (other than making money). They choose their stock carefully, with consideration given to conformation flaws and temperament. If a horse doesn't conform to the ideal of what they are trying for in their breeding program, it is gelded if it is a colt and sold on, or just simply sold on if it's a filly. A good breeder WILL geld before selling a colt if it is not breeding quality, or will put a gelding clause in the purchase agreement.
A backyard breeder breeds because their horse has genitals to do so and they pay no mind to flaws, conformation or otherwise. They breed because they think they can make a fast buck or because they want a foal because it's cute then realize it's more work than they are prepared for. They don't necessarily care what happens to the foal after they sell it.
If I were to consider purchasing a foal from a breeder, I would educate myself as thoroughly as possible on conformation, bloodlines, and genetics. What are flaws that you can deal with? What are flaws that are deal-breakers? What are genetic issues common to the breed and the bloodlines (for example, HYPP in QHs)? Posted via Mobile Device
-they breed for a purpose, and that purpose includes a great temperament, long term soundness, good conformation and functionality in the target discipline. Last on that list should be looks/color
-they use their horses, and know what they are talking about. Its pretty hard for someone to sell something they know nothing about(trust me, I'm in sales), So if you go to talk to a breeder who claims to produce the countries best cutters but they've never chased a cow in their life and have no proof, other than a pedigree, that the horse is capable, run the other way.
-They care about the horses. A good breeder should ask you lots of questions about your needs, wants and goals to help match you with the best horse possible. The horses will also be in good condition. I'm not talking necessarily about pampered show ponies, but they should be in decent condition with proper fencing and housing and reasonably clean. There should not be sick horses, filthy pens or stalls or horses kept in inadequate pens. Overall the animals should be happy and well cared for.
Ideally you should be able to see some horses that they've raised to adulthood and most will volunteer stories of the successes and various horses they've produced.
-they breed for a purpose, and that purpose includes a great temperament, long term soundness, good conformation and functionality in the target discipline. Last on that list should be looks/color
-they use their horses, and know what they are talking about. Its pretty hard for someone to sell something they know nothing about(trust me, I'm in sales), So if you go to talk to a breeder who claims to produce the countries best cutters but they've never chased a cow in their life and have no proof, other than a pedigree, that the horse is capable, run the other way.
-They care about the horses. A good breeder should ask you lots of questions about your needs, wants and goals to help match you with the best horse possible. The horses will also be in good condition. I'm not talking necessarily about pampered show ponies, but they should be in decent condition with proper fencing and housing and reasonably clean. There should not be sick horses, filthy pens or stalls or horses kept in inadequate pens. Overall the animals should be happy and well cared for.
Ideally you should be able to see some horses that they've raised to adulthood and most will volunteer stories of the successes and various horses they've produced.
Except in most cases the buyer never listens to breeder and insist they can handle the reasons you're telling them it's not a good match. I ended up buying two horses back because of the very things I told them they wouldn't like about the horse. And it wasn't because they weren't good horses just ones that would take advantage if you wanted them to be your pampered pet instead of a horse.
In addition to what the above posters said; it is very important the horses bred have a purpose and a market where they have value. This means in addition to being good in breed type, conformation, temperament, athletic ability and trainability, they are filling a need in the horse market. If you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a trail horse for sale, breeding for trail horses isn't a good marketing plan. There needs to be something about your horses that make them valuable, should you intend or need to sell them.
Never equate the size of the breeding operation with professional VS backyard breeder. Someone who breeds their "pet" mare once every few years might be doing a better job than someone who pumps out 100 foals a year. That "pet" might just be a retired national top 5 mare that doesn't look like much in her everyday clothes. You see this everyday in the draft horse world. I have less respect for someone who produces 80-100 foals a year where less than 5 will make it to worlds than someone who breeds one foal that is only suited for recreational riding.
I would consider myself a backyard breeder. I have 2 mares and have only bred 1 mare in my life. The resulting foal will have a forever home with us because of the emotional attachment I have to her and her dam. I made sure to pick a stallion that complimented my mare and did all my genetic disease testing before breeding. I followed my vets advice to a T, had repeated ultrasounds done and took very good care of my mare.
I was prepared for the foaling. Had the vet out within 24 hours of her birth and had antibody testing done as well as general wellness exams on mare and foal.
Both my mares have very good conformation. Perfect? No...no horse is. But any future breedings will be thoroughly planned out to produce QUALITY foals. My AQHA mare cannot run barrels forever. She has arthritis in her hock at 7 years old from an injury. But when she is done running, she will be bred to earn her keep. (And give me another barrel horse) I do plan to sell some foals from her. She has excellent bloodlines and crossing with the correct stallion can bring big money with a foal.
Moral of my story. You do not have to buy from a huge breeder to get a quality horse. Do your research, get references and learn about conformation. I have a good reputation in my area for competing and the care of my horses. And that is what you want to buy from. Someone that takes care of their animals, whether it's 1 mare or 100.
My horses come first. Genetic disease testing is a must and producing a quality foal is a priority.
After all, If your not gonna do it right, don't do it at all. Posted via Mobile Device
yes, in any form of selling/rehoming dogs and horses you get the same thing. I sold a horse to a lady who had total, blunt accounts right from me of how the horse acted and why he wasn't suited to her. I spent half an hour trying my best to talk her out of it, listing every flaw. This was an experienced horse person! Low and behold, it didn't work out. Just like the person who goes and adopts "princess" from the shelter and, after being told she has a high prey drive, high energy and doesn't do well with cats, they take her home, don't walk her, and are appalled when she eats the couch, the guinea pig and the neighbors cat.
People don't listen. They get an idea in their head, put the blinders on and face the consequences later.
A person breeding a few mares or even only one or two could be a fantastic breeder.
I love a good trail horse, don't care if they are a retired show horse or a horse just used for trail riding, as long as they are sound of bod and mind .
A big breeder doing 100 foals a year, i would run from. They are breeding for a particular horse , and auction and sell off the ones that dont cut the grade.
I have never met a "backyard breeder" in my many decades of owning and breeding horses.
I have seen people that have no business breeding anything including future generations of humans.
BKLD I do not use the term "backyard breeder" It is derogatory and the definition too broad to have any real meaning.
I know more than one breeder that has been labeled a backyard breeder for the simple reason they dont follow the trends of the show pen. Or because they dont use the current lines that are 'fashionable" for their breed.
If you dont like the breeding program or the foals that result from one then dont buy the horse. No need to call anyone a name. Shalom
The above should state I have met owners...... Instead of I have seen...
I changed my statement in my mind but the fingers did not cooperate. I hate it when that happens. Sorry. Shalom
If you always do your best to breed a better horse than you own, you are probably a good breeder.
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Horse Forum
3.4M posts
92.6K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!