Finachal help

[Minimor]

You've had some great advice here, about taking it slow & going for a few good horses rather than trying to have large numbers (and I do consider 20-30 mares to be large numbers if you're planning to breed that many every year).

As someone already said, the purchase price of the horses is the cheapest part of it all. There is the farrier bills, routine vet care, vaccines, dewormer, feed and--God forbid--the emergency vet bills. And the work. Who is going to do the work? On 10 acres (unless you plan to move to a bigger acreage) do yo have enough pasture room for 20-30 mares? And their foals? And any foals that don't sell so you have to keep them over until they're yearlings or even 2 year olds? Unless you have help--family members or hired help--in looking after the horses you can find yourself very tied down when you get up into those numbers. Are you planning to do your own showing, or will you send your horses to professional trainers & let them do the showing for you? If you're planning to do the showing yourself, you must have someone left at home to do chores while you are gone to shows. That can be a problem in many cases. I know many people who say they haven't been on a holiday in years because they have no one to do chores while they are away. Actually I haven't been on a holiday in years--I actually prefer spending my vacation time at home working with the horses, which is just as well because I'd definitely have trouble finding someone trustworthy to do chores for me.

It's good to have goals--and dreams--but it's also good to keep practicality in mind too. Go slow & enjoy the horses you've got, and progress from there.

 

[Chamomile]

I have such a variety of mares that I really do find it easier and better for my breeding program to pay a stud fee and breed to outside studs. I'm not sure what you meant about not wanting to breed a mare to an outside stud because you don't know what they are capable of?? Do you mean the mare? Or the stallion? I say if you can take your mare to an outstanding stallion, that is either a champion himself, or has sired numerous champions and have her accepted by the owner, then you have a pretty good mare and a great stallion! I don't think all my mares need to show to be bred. I have two mares here that have never seen a show ring as they aren't cut out for it, and I don't mean conformation!! Neither of them were handled much and they both get very nervous when put in different circumstances, so I felt it would be better to keep them home. But I did get them evaluated by several different people and I LOVE their bloodlines, they are both very consistent which is hard to find in the miniature horse industry.

Their are SO MANY people out there breeding horses that should only be pets. I think when you are thinking about doing this and planning, you need to keep in mind that a breeder breeds to IMPROVE the breed. I don't think breeing 20-30 mares a year is the key to that! Also remember that you need to be present at all the births. That is a lot of missed sleep

: Last year my Mom and I foaled out 6 mares. We took turns waking up every hour all night long for three months until all the mares had foaled. And even if you have a camera you still have to wake up and watch for a few minutes. Then the mare lays down, gets up, makes a face, shakes her head, switches her tail and off you trot to the barn to make sure nothing is going on. That can go on for a month!!! This is not an exact science that's for sure

: My Mom is so funny as soon as that mare makes a face or starts swishing her tail she'll call me and say "It's time!!" and I get up and run over there to see the mare calmly standing and sleeping We laugh and laugh, until about the 10th time of that and then we yawn and go back to bed... This is a tough thing to do, breeding minis and it's a lot of work!

We also have 10 acres and it would be a tight fit for 20-30 minis. We run a total of 18 minis right now and that's pushing it! We also have irrigation so we can keep it watered all summer, but they are eating machines. Then you have to have a place to lock them up as they can't really be out on green grass all the time. So you'll need pens with shelters and no grass. And plenty of room so the mares and foals have their own area. You don't want a foal getting injured because it couldn't get away from a grumpy mare.

Anyway, the advise given on this board has been great! Going slow and not rushing, and study study study. Know what you want for sure and don't settle because you think the right one won't come a long! Good luck!

 

[CharmedMinis]

Everyone has given you great advice so far and I'm going to add a bit of my own.

I know where you are coming from, I was your age not very long ago at all (only a few years), and like you when I got into the miniature horses back in 2002 I had very huge grandios ideas for what I wanted to accomplish!!! I jumped in with both feet, like I always do with any of my ideas, but I learned my lesson the hard way.

It snow-balled and in a very short time I ended up with 2 stallions and 8 mares, 6 of whom were very pregnant.

That first year I had 3 healthy foals and one horrible dystocia where both mare and foal almost died. I also had 2 foals that didn't make it and I was there for each and every birth. With one mare I was up for almost 3 weeks straight.

The next year I started having problems with the mares, including losing 2 to unrelated problems having nothing to do with breeding. I ended up having only one foal that year, she was a fainter foal and also had un-developed leg bones. She is a 2 year old this year, she can never be sold because of her problems and we have spent close to $20,000 on her vet bills alone.

This past spring (2006) were my last foals. I had 4 mares in foal, one mare lost hers at 7 months, one lost her foal at 9 months and then died herself a month later. The other 2 mares carried to term, one had a red bag dystocia foal that we were unable to save and the mare almost died herself. The other foal was also a dystocia and I was lucky that my vet lives the next street over, as it was the foal had to have CPR, and my mare prolapsed her uterus and almost died 3 times in the next week. This foal also has had problems, is not sellable at this time, and has cost almost $5,000 in vet bills, she is only 7 months old.

During all of this we had water, hay, and soil tested to see if something was causing breeding problems, nothing came up in the test results, and more money down the drain.

After 3 years of breeding, losing 9 foals, 2 mares, and almost 3 other mares......I am done!!! I'm not willing to risk my mares anymore, or my sanity.

Out of the foals I have had, I've sold only one, for $1,500. Vet bills for the 3.5 years add up to almost $80,000, that doesn't even include farrier care, feed, vaccinations, worming, etc............

So while the dreams and goals are great to have, I speak from experience when I say........go slow, calm down, think it through......more than likely you will feel totally differently a year from now, we all change as we grow and age.

The other thing I will say to you, is think about how many unwanted horses are out in this world. In December I had to rescue an 8 month old starving sick colt from an auction, he was in a pen of 50 more in similar situations as him. No horse should have to go through what he did. To produce 30 foals in year in my opinion is a little too much.

You can make more of an impact on the horse world with a few really GREAT horses, than you can with lots and lots of possibly mediocre ones!

:

 

[mydaddysjag]

First off, how old are you? Do you already have a good education, and GOOD job? If not, as cruel as it may sound, DO NOT get into the breeding business now. You NEVER know when a horse is going to need emergency care that could cost $10,000 and if you dont have a job, how would you afford it? Speaking bluntly, If you are a responisble breeder, you will NEVER make money breeding horses. Actually, it will put you hundreds of dollars in the hole. Why do you think you need 5 stallions? There are MANY nice stallions in this breed, and their stud fee's are much less than keeping and promoting a stallion. Also, why 25 mares? If you want to breed the mares, do you realize that is 25 foals a year? (assuming they all survive)

Now, that gives you 55 horses. Now add in spending time with each horse, and the necessities for each horse. Wormer, shots, hoof trimming, teeth done, halters, hay, grain..... Now, if you spent only $100, (which is extremely low) a month on each horse, you have $5,500 just in the BASIC care. Thats not including showing, which you have to do if you want your stallions name out there. To show you will have lots of expences. Even if you do it yourself you will need sheets, sleazys, sweats, clippers, blades, show makeup, show halters, show clothes for you, show entry fee's, HOURS every day to get them fit for show....

And registering foals isnt free. There is a lot of paper work and fee's that go along with it. Im not trying to be mean, but there are waaayyyy too many pet quality animals out there producing. Have you thought about going to school for equine management, or reproductive management? If this is what you seriously want to do, I would suggest doing that first.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

You have gotten an awful lot of really good, sound advice here but if I had to pick out just one piece I think I would go for

"Slow down"!!!!

 

[Jill]

You say you want people who are driving by to be attracted to your horses and maybe want to buy one. You have to realize 99.99% of the population doesn't know a great horse from a back yard pet. What would attract a novice, non-mini person is probably color not quality.

I think you ought to just enjoy what you have for a few years and take it from there...

Awhile back you wanted to get rid of / sell one of your mares because "she" was able to lead some of your horses to the road or something along those lines. Never taking into account the mare and other horses only did what instinct told them and you or your family allowed them to be able to do, you said you hated her for what she did. It seems like you should invest some time and thought into learning more about horses before trying to make a bunch of them.

 

[dannigirl]

It sounds to me like you are hoping to eventually make a living raising horses. I think that you should seriously RETHINK that idea. For most of us the old 'joke' is true--'How do you make a million raising horses?--start with 2 million'

The people that make a living raising minis, have been working and researching and eating and breathing horses for many years. If, as you say, getting a real job is not really possible, then working with a large number of breeding horses is also going to be nearly impossible. We currently have way too many horses, but still need to feed and check every one of them at least daily. Usually twice or more--especially in less than great weather.

As for people seeing your horses from the road, that is something called decoration. People will see them, but they will also see a really cute mailbox decoration or lawn ornament. I have many people come off the main highway just to look at my horses, but the buyers come from the actual miniature world as such and have seen my horses in ads or at shows ect. Yes, some buy from just looking, but they are usually the ones that only want one or two for pets and they barely pay enough to keep a mare all year to get the foal, much less to keep the stallion or pay extra vet fees.

I know I am sounding rather harsh here, but if you get in over your head, you will no longer enjoy the horses you have and it will become a chore to do the necessary things and the fun stuff will go to the wayside.

Good luck

 

[SHANA]

1) How much money do you spend buying horses a year?

Well it depends on the year, this year so far haven't spent anything but bought 2 more mini mares, both in foal as I traded a arabian for one and a mini cart for the other, plus my cousin paid the bit of money wanted and she gets to keep the mares' first foal. The cheapest mini I bought was my rescue gelding, Sanka, paid $250 for him and $100 to geld him. He is only WCMHR though. The cheapest AMHR filly I bought was Sky. I paid $800 for her and have been offered more than I paid for her as she is a appy and very pretty. Has a arab head. She is here to stay though.

2)How long did it take to get the herd you have?

Well I got my first mini in May 2003(Sanka) and first registered AMHR mini(Des) in December 2004 so 3 1/2 years if you count my first mini.

3)How did you afford the horses you bought?

Well the minis I actually paid money for I saved for, payed on terms and looked for quality that was in my price range. The other minis I traded some of my arabian horses for and one I traded a homemade cart for plus my cousin paid the balance and gets that mares' first foal. So I get a nice breeding mare and my cousin gets the mini she has always wanted. So worked out great for both of us. I currentlty have 14 minis with 6 foals due in 2007. Of those 14 I traded arabians for 6, well 7 if you count the filly I got from one mare. A cart for 1 of them and the other 6 I bought price ranging from $800 to $1100.

You have to remember to be ready for vet bills, grain, hay, farrier and if need be tack, etc. I am lucky as I trim my horses hooves myself so save money there. In 2006 alone I had about $1500 in vet bills, almost lost a filly, one mare aborted at 6 months gestation, coggins test, shots, wormer, etc. Grain depends on what you get but figure on average $200 a month. Hay we grow our own but did buy 500 bales at $2 each so another $1000 there. Also I didn't add the shipping costs it took for the minis to get here after buying them. Also spent about $4000 on fencing as I moved during the winter of 2006 and there was no fence, only open pastures so minis had to stay in barn until spring when we could put fence up. We have some pastures with page wire and some with electric. Eventually we will have all page wire though. If you do not have a good job I'd wait awhile.

: I work 2 days a week but have a great job working at Belmere Estate which is owned by a very rich family who have 4 houses on the property and you need a gate access code to get in. I take care of there horses on weekends during the winter months and work 4 days a week during the spring/summer/fall months and got a great christmas bonus. Got Christmas day off and got paid for it, worked new years and got paid double time, got $150 bonus and 3 ponsettas plants. I love working for them and get paid really well, only downside is it is a hour drive to work and a hour drive back. In 2006 I sold 2 mini colts for $1000 each. That was my first year selling foals. I kept my filly. Had only 3 mares to foal out and had 2 colts and one filly. Both colts went to great homes. One is local to us owned by a little girl and other is about 2 hours away with another mini owner who has only 6 minis, 1 2005 colt, 3 2006 colts and 2 mares in foal for 2007. He also has a mini donkey and 2 work horses.

 

[disneyhorse]

Hello! I haven't read most of the replies here but I'm guessing most of them will tell you that it's really a DREAM if you want to make money with miniature horses.

You will find 99% of miniature horse farms start out as a "hobby business" which means that the farm pours a lot of money into the horses because they enjoy it as a HOBBY and not really to make money. IF they make a couple hundred bucks from it then that's wonderful!

You live in California like I do. That means that we have a very high cost of living here compared to the rest of the country. Because it costs so much more per year to maintain a horse, we have to sell our horses for more money to make a larger profit. This is why the MAJORITY of horses that I purchase come from the rest of the country and not locally. Even with shipping, I can buy a better horse for less money. You are going to have difficulty selling your horses for a good price here UNLESS they are EXCEPTIONAL! And let me tell you, that is a tough thing!

The breeders that set out to make money with a faster startup are going to be ahead of the game if they buy TOP STOCK. That means investing money in an already-National-Grand-Champion stallion and mares with National wins or have produced National stock. Farms that have proven show stock can usually justify their prices of offspring but that also has to go along with lots of advertising! If you choose to go this way, you are going to invest tens of thousands of dollars in your initial breeding stock for a good number of horses.

Buying proven show horses will also help shorten the time (you won't have to spend time showing the horse and then waiting for it to come of breeding age) and if you shop right, will save money on showing costs (a $7500 National Champion was probably $3000 to buy and then the years of upkeep, showing fees, hauling, and training costs are probably easily many many thousands more).

Good horses are not always several thousands of dollars but remember you get what you pay for. Horse buyers are savvy these days, we all scan the ads and know what horses cost, and know what horses are a deal or not and maybe why they are a deal.

Generally, how much do YOU want to be making on a foal? Let's say you want to get $3,000-4000 per foal. Do you really think a stallion you paid $2,000 for and a mare you paid $800 for will produce a foal you can ask $4,000 for? The horse business generally doesn't work that way. You can make money OVER TIME with the offspring of a horse but even that can be hard to do as you will lose foals (horses only have one a year versus a dog that has several).

I would love to breed and make money with my horses... I usually have VERY good quality show horses here and there's no reason I couldn't just have a bunch of broodmares instead to breed but financially, BREEDING HORSES IS JUST AS MUCH A WASTE OF MONEY AS SHOWING THEM. So I find showing to be a lot more fun than breeding (although those little foals are SO darn cute!) and I only breed occasionally (have only had two foals ever so far).

Horses are a waste of money. Unless you want to invest $50,000+ in horses like many of the farms that you see with beautiful horses that you envy (and there's nothing wrong with that! If I had the money I would probably consider investing in a hobby I loved!!!) I would just take it slow and buy the FEWEST, HIGHEST QUALITY horses you can afford. Maybe have a stallion and two mares, if you can only afford $3,000 per horse. That would give you somewhere to start without spending tens of thousands of dollars. If the horses you have are not breeding quality (have a local breeder evaluate and appraise them) consider selling them to invest in a better horse.

Emotional attachment is also NOT a hallmark of a breeder that can really run a good business in the animal world. I am not saying that you need to be heartless and uncaring (!) but you need to honestly evaluate your animal for it's financial value. If you have a business, you don't have pets. I don't know many breeders that DON'T have their "pet" horse that they'd never part with, but for the most part, if your breeding horse isn't producing as well as it needs to be, you need to sell it and buy something better. Or retain a better offspring to replace it.

This is my view of what breeding entails. It's not for everyone. It is a LOT of money and the chances of making money are slim. You have to be unbiased when looking at animals, by looking at their appraised value versus how cute or sweet they are or how pretty their color is. Their personality and how much you enjoy them is only a slim part of being a breeder... the buyer is going to mostly look at quality, potential, bloodlines, and show record when they decide to buy from you vesus somewhere else.

Anyway, that was quite a ramble! I don't know what your horses look like or what you paid for them or what sort of show records they have, etc.

Perhaps before you buy more horses, evaluate the ones you have. Maybe a breeder or trainer would evaluate them for you if you asked them for an honest opinion. If you can show, try to show them or their offspring to see how they stack up to show horses today.

If you aren't breeding for high-dollar show horses (like most people assume you are, because most breeders believe in breeding to improve the breed versus just making more average pet quality horses) go to local auctions to see what the castoff horses are going for. If they are only going for $500 or so, ask yourself if a year of mare care, and then maybe a year of advertising and upkeep on the weanling if you don't sell it is worth it.

If your horses aren't the best quality or aren't the quality you want to breed for, consider selling two or three of them and using the money from them to buy ONE really super horse. That ONE super horse might produce another filly for you that you can keep.

My friend raises Andalusians, and that is how she is going about it. She doesn't have a lot of room or money for a large number of average breeding stock. She always tells me "It costs the same to feed and vet a $10,000 horse as it does a $500 horse, so it's just better to have fewer nice horses." She imported four horses from Spain, the best she could afford. Now, she is keeping all fillies and selling all colts (unless she gets a colt that is nicer than it's sire) to build her breeding program. However, she has lost a mare and several foals, so it is slow going. But the quality of all her horses are fantastic, because she has fantastic stock to begin with.

Look at all these miniature horse farms and the quality of their horses versus the prices you see on the sales pages. Try to figure out what they have in common. Build from what others have learned, see what makes the farms you admire successful.

We are all in this because we LOVE these little guys... and we are proud of our horses whether they are $500 pets or $30,000 show horses. All ranges are found here and no one hates the horses we have. But that doesn't mean if you want to make it a business or strive to do better, you can't sell up. I've been selling up since I started... selling horses to situations where they can be more appreciated or used. It allows me to get nicer horses or horses that I can learn with. That's where I am. I don't have the drive, money, space, and time to have a breeding program, because it takes a LOT of those things and I also don't like to gamble!

That said... good luck!

Andrea

 

[tracerace]

Kay is absolutely right , listen to her. ONE stallion is more than enough especially if you are starting out. The farm I worked for had upwards of forty horses at a time, but usually only one stallion. As for driving horses. Better go and watch a few shows and clinics and learn before you jump in. Learn for yourself about movement instead of taking someones word for it. I am fortunate, I know what good movement is but that is because it is part of my job as a farrier. Linda B

The bredder that we have purchased 3 fillies from, had over 50 mares, and only 2 stallions up until recently. They downsized last year though....under a dozen mares and 1 stallion.

 

[Pandora]

I agree with most here about slowing down on the breeding. My mom and aunt have stallions. They and my cousin all have mares they breed to. I do coown one breeding mare with my mom. I have a very good job, but even that I cant' afford a breeding program. With the chance of something going wrong with the mare, and yes it does happen, has happened to me. I have chosen to put my money into buying horses from others and showing. Showing is a controllable expense. Breeding is not. I happen to have lucked out and gotten some very nice horses without spending a fortune.

Once the real world hits you, you will realize it sucks big time. That is harsh, but it's true. If you really want to get into breeding and seeing thel ittel ones born maybe you can make friends with breeders in your area and go watch their babies and breeding horses. You get all the fun without the expense. That's how I look at my family breeding and me not.

 

[Relic]

Wow good post from disneyhorse makes some very good points a lot of people don't consider and really should....just want to add that the more horses you have the more problems crop up and you should always have an account set aside just for emergencies a couple of years back we got saddled with a 4 thou vet bill overnight things happen you don't count on and you gotta pay up. From what l have seen that can make or break a lot of owners...

 

[shadowsmystictopaz]

thanks so much for all the help guys. Last night was a nice one for me i had a drem about getting a sorrel and white pinto ex showhorse in miniature size so i am looking to see if i can find him. I will let you know if i do.

 

[lyn_j]

Hi Andrea, you and I have met and I know how much you want to make this happen. Think about it tho, when you first started working with CJ when you just met him he was a little pushy. Stallions would walk all over you! Just be really careful, I know your mom is going to make sure you dont get in over your head. It is a lovely dream to have.... I have 12 horses, 2 are gelding , 1 a yearling colt that is being gelded and two stallions that are not currently living at home.....the other 7 are mares. I have to say that it is a HUGE amoount of physical work and as frail as you are , I worry for you. Enjoy showing the geldings you have no.... let Suzy show your colt and maybe concentrate on one or two mares. If you have two SUPER mares that are bred to a SUPER stallion you will hopefully have 2 really nice babies and can, if your lucky and it works well get more for them than 20 so so babies with FAR less expense. More is not always better.

I wanted to post here so that before people start saying maybe hurtful things about your desires being too lofty, they know how sweet, and tiny, and loving you are but likely to need TONS of help to run a farm for you.

Lyn

 

[miniapp]

Hey Everyone;

This is Suzy and I just wanted to jump in here really quickly. (I don't know how I overlooked posting to this up until now, just missed it, I guess..) Andrea has a heart of gold and is very committed to what she wants to do. I will make sure that the time frame works out the way it is supposed to and that she doesn't get in over her head...

: Andrea is a very goal oriented individual and has a very strong idea of what she wants, and I know at some point she will get to where she wants to be. She has several very talented individuals in her barn right now and we will be promoting them as much as possible. Not to worry, though.. we will work through this together to keep her on the right track....

:

Thanks for all of the feedback and I know that Andrea appreciates it, too... and keep a look out for this very special young lady as she makes her show ring debut this year...

Suzy Hooper

Show Horses by Suzy

Fresno, CA

 

[shadowsmystictopaz]

Thanks suzy i appreciate you coming on her and posting such a sweet message like that. I do appricite all your help and ideas and helpful advice. I am going to try to get into the swing of things again. I just lost my sister recently so we are still recovering from it so i am leaning that even when somine we love dies life must go on even iif it hurts to deal with it. Disney thanks a bbunch for you information and help i liked reading so much that you had to say. I thank you all for your suport and i apprciate all the help.

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

Best of luck Andrea. You have a dream and from what Suzy said lots of drive & ambition, so you can make it a reality if you chose.

As someone that has had lots of learning opportunities (i.e. mistakes, errors and been misled by others) with Minis, please do take the advice of more experienced people on the Forum. No one wants to squash your dreams, but I believe want to sincerely help you learn from their experiences.

I'm still new to minis (1999), but have learned alot (in the trenches) regarding breeding, herd management, etc. One bad year can set you back financially - I'm not talking a couple thousand, I'm talking $15-20K in vet bills - it can happen very easily, on top of the regular maintenance costs.

2005 was 'the year' for us, as we had - a foal with renal failure, hyperlipemia, two eye removals, WNV in one stallion, punctured hoof, three facial lacerations requiring stitches, rotavirus in a foal, a dead foal (hiplock) and a retained placenta (all of those required hospitalization from 1-8 days each). This is in addition to the normal bumps and scrapes and delivering 18 foals. I also bought 3 horses. It was an extremely expensive year as there are the 'normal' care costs feed, trims, de-worm, vaccinations, registrations, etc.

What I made selling minis came nowhere near what that year cost - thank goodness for other sources of income! So, not to rain on your parade, but you do need to be prepared for those 'extraordinary' years.

If you truly want to have a breath-taking herd of minis, with titles and desirable foals - you will have to invest in yourself (it cost $$ to support these guys!) and buy the best quality you can in mares. One saying that is really true - 'Buy the best mares and breed them to better stallions'.

If there were 'do-overs' I would have proceed much more slowly than I did. While you have the opportunity - take your time and learn, learn, learn. The better educated you are the better able you'll be to spot that gorgeous horse for a bargain, or work with the unruly one, or breed great ones.

Again, I don't want to discourage you, it's great to have ambition and goals - they just don't have to be reached yesterday.

Anyway, I don't know where in California you are, but hopefully we'll see you and you're horses at the two schooling shows in Vacaville next month. I'm assuming Suzy will be coming????

Best of luck Andrea. You have a dream and from what Suzy said lots of drive & ambition, so you can make it a reality if you chose.

As someone that has had lots of learning opportunities (i.e. mistakes, errors and been misled by others) with Minis, please do take the advice of more experienced people on the Forum. No one wants to squash your dreams, but I believe want to sincerely help you learn from their experiences.

I'm still new to minis (1999), but have learned alot (in the trenches) regarding breeding, herd management, etc. One bad year can set you back financially - I'm not talking a couple thousand, I'm talking $15-20K in vet bills - it can happen very easily, on top of the regular maintenance costs.

2005 was 'the year' for us, as we had - a foal with renal failure, hyperlipemia, two eye removals, WNV in one stallion, punctured hoof, three facial lacerations requiring stitches, rotavirus in a foal, a dead foal (hiplock) and a retained placenta (all of those required hospitalization from 1-8 days each). This is in addition to the normal bumps and scrapes and delivering 18 foals. I also bought 3 horses. It was an extremely expensive year as there are the 'normal' care costs feed, trims, de-worm, vaccinations, registrations, etc.

What I made selling minis came nowhere near what that year cost - thank goodness for other sources of income! So, not to rain on your parade, but you do need to be prepared for those 'extraordinary' years.

If you truly want to have a breath-taking herd of minis, with titles and desirable foals - you will have to invest in yourself (it cost $$ to support these guys!) and buy the best quality you can in mares. One saying that is really true - 'Buy the best mares and breed them to better stallions'.

If there were 'do-overs' I would have proceed much more slowly than I did. While you have the opportunity - take your time and learn, learn, learn. The better educated you are the better able you'll be to spot that gorgeous horse for a bargain, or work with the unruly one, or breed great ones.

Again, I don't want to discourage you, it's great to have ambition and goals - they just don't have to be reached yesterday.

Anyway, I don't know where in California you are, but hopefully we'll see you and you're horses at the two schooling shows in Vacaville next month. I'm assuming Suzy will be coming????

 

[shadowsmystictopaz]

I belive sooner or later i will get to what i want in my breeding herd it will take time maybe when im married i will get my dream herd started. try as i might to be painent with this all its hard for me. I want to have something worth having in my barn and i know someday I will get a pleasent suprize from silver out of a diffrent mare so i will give that a try as well. Suzy will help me along the way she knows who I can get the best from and she knows the breeding aged horses are out there waiting for me for the future.

 

[lyn_j]

Andrea, thats the BEST thing you can do.... follow what Suzy tells you. I didnt become really successful until I listened to Bruce and basically did whatever he told me.... he never steered me wrong and Suzy loves you and wont steer you wrong either! We all need mentors we can trust and you and I are two lucky people to have them.

Lyn

 

[shadowsmystictopaz]

thanks again for your help. I am okay now with the situation and i will get a new horse when we are ready for one. I hope to hear more from you all about your stories of getting miniature horses i love them.