AMHR Hardship & Mare Trading Questions

Little Wolf Ranch · May 28, 2010

I am thinking about trading my mare for a mare AND a mini donkey but I have some thoughts before I do. . .

1- My mare is 13 and his mare is 18. . .would you consider that too old for a trade?

2- His mare is confirmed in foal for a 2010 foal (waiting on him to tell me when she is due) would you transport an 18 y/o mare who is pregnant from Alabama to South Carolina. . .about a 5 hour drive.

3- My mare is AMHA & AMHR reg. and his is AMHA only and I need her AMHR as well. . .would you pay $260 to have her hardshipped at such a late age?

4- As far as breeding her goes, she is an easy foaler who goes through pregnancy and nursing a foal pretty easily with no weight problems so how many foals would you think be feasible to get from her before retirement? I know factors change from year to year, but how long would you continue to breed her?

5- Anything else you guys think I should consider!

I like the mare overall and she is what I would like to have in my breeding program overall I just think her age concerns me a bit, even though I know the older mares are some of the very best! I would just be afraid of losing her. . .although I know freak accidents can happen with youngsters too!

Thanks guys so very much!

Katie

Little Bits · May 28, 2010

I myself wouldn't do it.

His mare being 18 may never have another foal after she foals this time. Older mares are harder to get in foal, and who knows how longer her biological clock will continue to tick.

You will also incur shipping fees and hardshipping fees. What if you hardship her and she never has another foal? I believe there would be added fees to hardship her foal into Hr as well. (Someone correct me if I am wrong)

I myself would sell both my mare and donkey and find something younger that is already HA/HR registered. IMO

Little Wolf Ranch · May 28, 2010

Actually we would be going to get her so I don't **really** have any shipping fees. . .except for gas LOL.

I better make myself clear. . .I was going to trade my A/R 13 y/o mare for his reg. mini donkey and his A only 18 y/o bred mare. . .

hafpints · May 28, 2010

How old is the donkey and is it a jack, jennet or gelding?

disneyhorse · May 28, 2010

There is a lot of information missing here that I think must be considered before anyone can help you make this decision. Just simple facts don't help us at all.

~What are your plans for either horse? Are you looking for pets? If so, is the temperament of the horse(s) you are trading for of better temperament than your own?

Are you looking for breeding stock? Is the quality of the horse(s) better than what you have now? For instance, are you needing more refinement or better neck in your herd, and these horses have what your current mare is lacking?

Are you looking for a mare that will better cross with your current stallion? Do the conformational strengths and weaknesses of the other horse better complement your stallion than the current mare?

Are you looking for better movement for your herd? Is the other mare a better mover?

What is it that these others have that your current mare does not have?

Are you just looking for quantity, not quality? Is this why "getting two for one" sounds appealing to you?

Do you show? Do the animals you are going to trade for seem like they will be better show prospects for you?

Are you purely looking for an animal that can reproduce? Is this why the age is of concern to you?

You just say "she is what I would like to have in my breeding program" so I assume you are just looking for reproductive capabilities?

Are the animals you are getting in trade better than what you could purchase, given you could select anything across the country instead?

Just trying to throw out things to think about, off the top of my head...

Andrea

minimomNC · May 28, 2010

If you were looking to buy, would you buy this mare knowing you would have to add $260 to her purchase price? What would you ask for your mare if you were selling her. If the prices are pretty close then why not, nothing to say your 13 year old mare will have another foal either. Plus according to the way I read it, your mare is not in foal now and his is due to foal this year, so there is a chance you would get two horses and a donkey for your one mare.

You have to do what you feel is best for you. There is nothing wrong with an 18 year old sound, healthy mare. You might only get one foal out of her, or you might get 4 or 5. You can't depend on what could happen in the future to make a decision. The future will always be full of what if's.