Knowing it is so hard not to resist.

[Reble]

Just wanted to know how many people are really serious about cutting down on too many horses with the economy.

Might help our prices or do you think this is just a dream.

See so many partial and full dispersal sales for one reason or another.

Wondering why so many are still buying and have seen a lot of colts & stallions.

How many are serious about trying to get our horse prices rising again?

Just wondering not trying to upset anyone.

We seen this coming for sometime, and have sold and are down to what we find is manageable, we know as long as prices are low not smart to add to the problem, even thou it is so hard not too with such good prices out there.

Have seen a lot that say need to cut back and than see they are buying again.

Have you been able to say NO more?

 

[Lori W]

We have a small herd and while hay is plentiful and reasonably priced in our area (yes, we are blessed!), we are limited by the number of available stalls at both my farm and my sister-in-law's. There are coyotes in our area and we don't dare leave the little ones out 24/7.

That said, we were fully prepared NOT to buy when we went to Little King Farm's Oktoberfest (hmm... but we took a horse trailer). When we saw the quality of the horses and the prices, we came home with a White Russian daughter in foal to SMHC's Exclusive.

Our numbers are still manageable - we can still afford to feed them and ensure they get the necessary veterinary and farrier care. But it's so easy to say "Just one more..."

We will probably have a couple for sale in 2012, once we put some training time and show experience on them. I strongly feel that if they are able to perform - halter, trail and especially driving - and they have some kind of show record, they are valued more by the majority of buyers and we can ask higher prices for them.

 

[minifreishorsefarm]

We are buying a colt this year because we are trying to improve our herd and breeding program. When we first started we knew nothing about bloodlines and show horses and really want our small little farm to get on the right track. We have sold our lower class mares and are trying out showing locally this next year to see how we do. The new colt has already been shown and won blue ribbon, so are hoping he will get us on the right track.

Marsha

 

[mydaddysjag]

I have purchased two horses the last three months, one colt, one stallion. Both are to be gelded, I don't breed, I only show, and have no reason to keep horses entire. Anyone who knows me knows that my horses are more than livestock or just show horses in my family. They are also our pets. With my newest horse, I will be at my limit, which is three. My guys are stalled every night, brushed a few times a week, have their feet picked daily, and I have the time to give each one individual attention daily. Any more than 3 and I simply wouldn't have time too.

I dont plan to sale horses when I get them, as they are also "pets" so I dont worry about their resale value or the horse market in the future.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

When I sold most of mine it has been hard but I haven't bought anymore. Just trying to figure out what I want to do, what type of program you want to have it can be challenging. I'm not breeding anymore, I'm showing and I am showing all 3 of my geldings next year. Thats all I have and I enjoy it. Now I will not say I will never buy another horse again as you always need another horse to show to give your current ones a break.

What I'm seeing mostly is more people are struggling are selling out or selling all of their A/R horses to get AMHR/ASPC ponies. Some of these bigger farms that keep having auctions and needing to have sales I don't feel sorry for and its sad to keep seeing but they won't stop breeding or breed fewer.

 

[Riverrose28]

sometimes I open my mouth and stick my foot in, so I'll try to be careful with how I respond. I haven't bred any mares in two years because I need to scale back, and yes sale prices are way too low even for excellent quality. With that being said if my perfect dream horse came up tomorrow I would try really hard to come up with the money for it. I've been wanting either a colt or filly ASPC/AMHR show quality, National contender for several years and not had the money. Really don't have the money now, but it is a buyers market, as I'm finding out since my sales are way down and I'm operating the farm in the red. I have only sold one filly this year, outright, and now am forced to take some to the auction at Greencastle. When I say forced it is because I don't like to sell this way, you can't inspect the buyers farm or spend enough time talking with them, infact the highest bidder buys the horse so the only time I can talk to them is after the horse is their property. But, like another breeder once told me, it is less mouths to feed and Vet. Also it is expensive to take your horses to auction and one can only hope to recoup exspenses and then maybe put some into savings or for bills. I can see how someone would purchase the horse of their dreams if they came across it, even in this economy. On the other hand I do think people need to slow down on breeding as the market is flooded with pet quality, and middle of the road horses of all breeds. If breeders would only breed the best to the best, show quality and cut back a little then prices may come up. Alot of new people don't know what a good mini should look like, or even check pedigrees or go on pedigree alone and don't look at conformation. Then they end up with a pet that they thought they could show, or breed and end up selling the foals to another new person that is not educated. The people i'm referring to have never seen a MHW or Journal magazine so they don't know, they may not have ever been to a sanctioned show, Here is were education is important and why I take minis every year to as many events as possable and also hand out brochures from both AMHA/AMHR.

 

[Lizzie]

I agree Riverrose. It is a buyer's market at the moment. That said, it seems all the horses we like are still extremely pricey. Add at least another $1,000 for shipping and it makes it almost impossible to purchase.

I think in the past when the economy was good, many kept huge herds of Minis. I saw farms selling enormous foal crops each year at local auctions. To me anyway, this is not really the sign of a responsible breeder. Selling at auction, one has no control over who purchases a horse. Also, I think we have all seen, that those coming from huge herds, have seldom had any handling and are often a problem for the new owner. Problem horses often get passed from home to home and end up in dreadful conditions or worse.

I truly feel, that if a breeder must sell large (unhandled) foal crops at auction each year, he/she shouldn't be breeding. I can certainly understand in the current economy however, that some must quickly disperse a herd and an auction might be the only way. Some very good horses have been lost to the breed, having been sold at auction. Also, tons of poor quality horses purchased at auction, find their way into the homes of those wannabe breeders, who breed on, horses with major conformation flaws.

Lizzie

 

[ruffian]

It's hard to say no when beautiful horses are going at great prices. I have bought one horse this year, and haven't bred many mares for next year. I'm going to a braggert and say that I have some pretty nice mares, most are retired show horses with great pedigrees. I also have a World Grand Champion Sr Stallion in my barn, so my foals should be pretty nice. Out of 15 mares I've bred 2 for next year. Hoping that prices will come back, but if the economy doesn't stop tanking, Thumper is out of luck with the girls for a while.

 

[Wings]

I agree Riverrose. It is a buyer's market at the moment. That said, it seems all the horses we like are still extremely pricey. Add at least another $1,000 for shipping and it makes it almost impossible to purchase.

That's true of horses over here in Australia, the good ones are still bringing in high prices!

Now if we could just got down on the amount of BYB/unreg foals I reckon we'd see the benfits in sale prices. Shame they'll never stop!

 

[Riverrose28]

I've already responded once, but have something to add. The rules have changed as far as I'm concerned. When we started breeding there where several AMHA shows in our area, now there are none. The closest one is 6 hours away. We thought we did everything right, bought high dollar breeding stock, had our stallion professionally shown, and his get, impressive pedigrees, etc. but still can't sell. Most of our horses have Championships and great pedigrees but with only AMHR shows in our area we need to change our program. I love the B minis and have several champions, but it seems like if you havn't added ASPC you will not place at the National level, this is just my opinion. so to the original post, if I found my dream horse tomorrow i would do what ever, even payment to purchase him/her. Just to add I don't believe in credit cards, don't have any, so if I can't pay cash I don't buy. I am determined though and if I want something I guess I'm like the others I go after it. Oh and I won't pay a shipper when I have my own truck and trailer, and want to see said horse in person.

 

[wcr]

Times are hard financially right now and doesn't look like it will change for a few years. If you are buying or selling depends on what is going on in your life and the cycle of horse ownership. If you are at the beginning of getting your horse program together then buy away, the time is perfect. I don't think now is the time to buy a bunch of horses and breed a lot of babies that don't have the value. It is a good time to buy some quality horses and put show records on them to breed in the future.

I think a lot of people have had more horses than they needed and are cutting back to make the finances more manageable so you see herd reductions. For myself, I stopped breeding a couple of years ago and am dispersing my herd so I can do other things with my life. I put things on hold while I put together a good herd, promoted and showed my horses to World level, put championships on them and now it is time to do the things I put on hold.

 

[SampleMM]

I've done some buying.........I bought an own daughter of Buckeroo. Pretty Woman is a dream come true for me. I also added a buckskin, daughter of First Knights Breakin All The Rules. I've also sold three in the last month so my numbers are the same. I'm trying to purchase one more Buckeroo daughter then I'm done.

 

[LindaL]

I've done my share of buying this past year...7 Minis (one in foal), 1 rescue Mini (free), 1 pony (in foal) and a Donkey (free)!

BUT, the horses I have had offered for sale, I am having a very difficult time selling, only selling one. I do agree that many people are buying AMHR/ASPC horses now and trying to sell out their AMHA horses (or cut back anyway).

I am still "looking", because I really would like to add a few more fillies/mares to show/add to my broodmare herd. I am being very specific in my "wants" and have not bought horses that I've inquired about because I will see something "better" come along.

It bothers me when I see people "say" they are dispersing, than buy 15 horses at sales...(yes, I know someone who did that recently)...

 

[Carolyn R]

In regards to the OP, I was very serious about herd reduction.I spent alot on my small select herd, ALWAYS looking to support a reputable breeder, but going full steam ahead and offering top of the line care, putting my all into my minis, love, handling, care.....it wears one down. The final straw, realizing that someones treasure of today may end up as tomorrows trash (whether that part may be economy related, lack of interest, harship,flakeyness, whatever the reason, after the sale, one can't protect a horse that is no longer in their care).My reasoning was not economy related it was more or less going by the philosophy that "if it is no longer enjoyable, it is time to make some changes".

Though I only bred for 1-2 foals a year, I could not justify keeping all of the herd, they had plenty of years ahead of them and were too nice to all be ornaments. I privately sold each of them for fair prices,quicker than expected (only one left to go)with the exception of my two keepers, a tall mare and my old man that I gelding (regardless of being higher risk due to his age). He deserves to live out his days here, I owed that to him.

Regardless, there are some deals out there, it may be low end horses going even lower or horse that once had prices in the $15-20K range now going for $5-10K, it is all in the eyes of the beholder what is a good deal. A good deal to one may be outragous to another. Do I still believe in supporting a reputable breeder/owner, ABSOLUTELY. I got back to where I do enjoy things and even managed to recycle that money for a long anticipated Gypsy Vanner that I purchased through a reputable breeder, no intention of breeding, just wanted a quality animal that I knew the background on and knew that she had proper care before coming to me.

 

[Songcatcher]

Have you been able to say NO more?

The short answer is, "Yes, I have said 'NO' more."

This past summer has been the driest in our area I have ever seen. I bought some new horses in early spring, and quickly wondered why I did. I have had to feed hay practically all summer. But, God has been good to me. I have been able to sell a few and I have been provided with hay while many are still suffering, wondering where they will get hay. My herd is back to a more manageable number (10 mares/fillies and 2 stallions). I have seen some really nice horses for sale for very reasonable prices but I have been successful in resisting. Now, I am looking at a serious change in employment next spring and want/need to cut my herd back to half of what I currently have. I still look at the ads and wish, but I wind up telling myself "No".

 

[txminipinto]

Last fall, I really started cutting back. We're in SE TX and have been under severe drought conditions since 2008. Then slowly the economy has taken a toll on my training business so I've continued to sell. I've done pretty good for the numbers I need to sell and having nothing but colts. I was doing great until a client defaulted and I ended up with an extra horse I wasn't planning on supporting.

Have I bought anything? Nope. I've been tempted because the market is so good to pick up steal, but I have to wonder how I'm going to keep everyone fed with no grass. That has kept my check book in my pocket. Traded even on a couple horses and should have just sold them so I would have one less mouth to feed. Currently, I have 4 top mares and our herd sire, with an additional 3 colts that need to find new homes. All show champions and ZERO interest. Probably have them priced too high for this time of year. And I'm not too far out in dropping their prices.

I've taken this "free" time to invest into myself. This next year I will be apprentice judging on the AMHR/ASPC circuits and hope to obtain my card at Convention in 2012. I've met all the other requirements to do so. I've also decided since I have the equipment and experience to offer foaling services. Already have my first outside mare lined up so I'm interested to see what kind of interest that gets when foaling season is in full swing.

Big question for me right now is do I breed for 2013? At most I would only breed 2, but I'm still having trouble deciding if its worth it. With the economy in the toilet and experts forecasting our drought to last until 2020 (

) I'm firmly sitting on the fence. I've told myself if I can sell the coming yearling and 2 3 year olds by February I will. But only time will tell. I am hopeing that with an election year on the horizon things will change for everyone but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[barnbum]

I'm very content with my five--even though that's still too many time wise. Money and space are not the issue, but I don't have the time to work each like I'd prefer. There's this job that takes a lot of time and energy

and other hobbies, but my equine are a family (literally too--one mare and her two daughters and a second mare and her son)

and no one is going anywhere. I do okay being 1 person to 5 horses--they are all handled/trained/stretched often enough and I figure they might as well stand around here as to stand in someone else's pasture. They are content, too. If I asked and understood their answer--they'd vote to stay.

No temptations at all... but boy when I see a pretty baby I remember the foal days and miss them---for a minute.

I never ever ever miss selling--shudder--hated selling.

 

[ohmt]

I have NOT been able to say no....I'll leave it at that

That being said, we have greatly cut back on breeding the past few years and are now down to less than 20 mares. We have always had around 30. Now to cut back on the boys!

 

[MindyLee]

No more here! Im 2 over my limit and expecting 3 foals next yr. I then will be done breeding for awhile. Im also leasing out a mare for 2 yrs to help downsize for a little while. I hate to sell any of my breeders so leasing one out was the best next thing to do.

otherwise dream horse or not not buying. as i look at it, i already have my dream horses. to me, all them sales horses are dream horses so ill be good and stick with what i have.

 

[Jill]

I went quite some time without another purchase, but for years had had a specific "something" on our list of what I think we needed to add to our program. When I saw him, I went for him... and for what it's worth, our most expensive purchase to date. I'm not in this, at all, to make money, but I am in this to make good horses. That is the reward for me, to try an do the crosses right to improve upon (parent) horses that are outstanding in their own right by choosing crosses well.