First Time Breeder

[KanoasDestiny]

I've been reading through these posts and have been keeping quiet. But now, I want to say something. I guess it will start out as a short stroy, so bare with me.

I live in Southern California. I am 25 years old and have ALWAYS wanted a horse. Last month, I decided enough was enough and started my search for the perfect one. Now being that I haven't been around horses daily for the past few years, I decided to start out small...hense the mini. I searched high and low for a mini that could fit in my budget. Crazy I know, but I wanted a mini - weaned filly for $1,500 or less. She seemed nowhere to be found. I found several places that said that unregistered horses are always cheaper than registered, and being that I am not interested in showing, it didn't make any difference to me one way or the other if she was papered.

So I contacted "at least" 10 to 15 people (some of you may be reading this right now, if so, "HI"), saying exactly what I wanted and that unpapered was fine. I received emails back from several very nice people telling me that for the price I was after, my best bet would be to look in the Horse Trader. I was just about to do that, when Jennifer from Sweet Opal Miniatures contacted me, regarding a month old filly that she would sell to me. I tell you, my heart skipped several beats and I will forever be extremely greatful to her. Now I am just waiting till Zoey is weaned.

Although my filly is registered, I am 100% for someone not having a papered horse. If showing is not in the horse's future with it's owner, and the horse will have a wonderful loving home/family, what is the harm? Please don't get mad but a lot of people only buy the very best quality horses, with dollar signs in their eyes. That's why it is so easy for them to turn around and sale them. I think a lot of breeders and showers have a hard time realizing that there are some of us, who want a horse to love unconditionally, rather than to make money off of it. Just my opinion.

 

[FFFoxyGal]

Punkin,....As I said before ,......I think it is great what you are planning on doing,.....

My Foxy was under 300 dollars,.....not registered,....(They dont even know who her parents are),....She is the apple of my eye and I wouldnt trade her for the world.

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She is bred(She was already when I bought her),....but,....I will love her baby just as much as her,....

She might not have the PERFECT conformation,.....and "God Knows,.who her parents were", but,....that doesent matter,....As long as people LOVE their animals and are willing to do ANYTHING for them,..That is all that matters to me!

:

Love wins over Big Bucks or papers ,...each and everytime,.....once again,.....WELCOME to the forum!!!

Terri :saludando:

 

[CAbshear]

Lots of good advice. I tend to agree with the people that have cautioned going slow. There is alot to consider before you get your mare in foal. The most important is your mare. But if you have considered all and still want to breed, then there is an excellent book written by Theresa Jones titled the Complete Foaling Manual . Good Luck!

 

[Punkin]

Hey, thank you all. I have been looking into the books and I want them all. Just can't have enough information. Ya know I was thinkin.... All this is of such little significance. I see people treat their children so poorly it makes me ill. Now there's something that should require a license or papers for ownership. Just for a little perspective.

 

[Hosscrazy]

You also may want to subscribe to thehorse.com - their latest e-newsletter was all about foaling, foal care, etc.

Liz R.

 

[capall beag]

Just have to add!!

I went back and reread you initial post and thought.

Whoa if we are critical of that post then we must be dang near perfect

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Of course, I am far from perfect so I commend you on your thought process and waiting 5 years before you considered breeding your sweet mare and even then have planned a home for you foal before it is even conceived!!!!!!!!!

I have to say I think you are going above and beyond what most breeders do, obvioulsy a very well thought out decision.

Good on you!!

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[littlearab]

I had PM Pumkin about this post this morning. I did not want to bump it back up. But now that it has been I would like to say I was alittle embarssed at how she was jumped on by others who were belittling her choice to breed her mare. :new_shocked:

What I got from the first post was she had decided to bred her little mare, and wanted advice on what were good books for info on breeding and foaling. She has had this miniature mare for years, and just now when she knows where the foal will go has she decided to bred her.

She did not ask anyone permition to bred or even thier opions as to weather she should breed.

It's her mare. It's her choice. She sounds she got a head on her shoulders and she knows how to use it.

Those who jumped all over her should be ashamed they should be telling her how wonderful she is for thinking father ahead then most of us do maybe even themselfs.

Now I say this in hope that maybe next time someone comes on and asks a ? we could all answer the ?.

And not jump all over them about how there are too many miniatures horse around already and how maybe they should rethink breeding.

As we all post photos of our foals..... foals we hope to find homes for.. She has a home for her foal who is not even bred for yet.

It always surprises me how others can judge so fast. :no: