Newbies WAKE UP

[txminipinto]

I'm not pointing at anyone here either. But when I wrote what I did, I was thinking of the feed store down the road that has poor quality, pot bellied minis in a pen outside every weekend for sale at $200. I would love to know who is providing these animals and sneak on their farm to geld everything with testicles.

 

[Raine Ranch Minis]

Well I guess Ill be the 1st one to admitt...

When I 1st got into minis in 2004, I started off with a little fat stallion who I just thought the world of. I knew nothing about registrations or conformation. Well I did buy a mare to be his girlfriend and to breed to to make lots of easy money. I did have my foal, a cute little colt and I put a HUGE price tag on him cause I thought I could. 7 months later he finally sold for $580 double reg. IT WAS A REAL EYE OPENER cause I was a newbie and though "I was going to be big and rich and have my minis and name all over".

Many yrs later now that I have changed my program around majorly and have learned A LOT! I realized that the foal was totally cute but had poor confirmation. Today, my breeding program is right where I want it. I still own that fat little stallion and his girlfriend. BUT have WAY better horses in my herd for breeding now. I also learned that I will never make enough $$$ to come anywhere even close to pay back what I have into mine, and I wont be a big named farm and super rich.

The 1st two will always stay with me because they are very sentamentle to me.

I will be the 2nd one.

I now realize that it was a total mistake!! I should have NEVER bought him!

I still love him though.

BUT he was Registered AMHR, and because of him I bought a Wonderful AMHR filly ( to be his girl friend which will not happen after all) and her brother a AMHR, AMHA Gelding. Then a AMHR Brood mare that turned out to be a GREAT show horse. She has gone to 4-H Regional, was the ALL Around horse in our local club, 3rd in our first "Big Show" AMHR, First in Halter,Jumping, and Second in trail in our local club. And a 2010 AMHR filly and Her bother a AMHA, AMHR Gelding. So it turned out well. (I think) My older Mare is hopefully bred to him. I am looking forward to the foal.

It will ether make someone around here a great pet, or I will keep it forever.

I am gelding him next week. So he will not have anymore foals.

 

I have learned sooo much since the day he came home.

The lady that I bought my first filly and gelding from has helped me ALOT. I am glad I found her!! <

 

I am still a Newbie and you can flame me if you want, But it has already happened. I understand that I was naive and didn't have a clue. I have learned so much. Yet I still has SO much to learn!!!!

Ok I will get off my soapbox now.

LOL

 

 

Note: This was not ment to offend anyone. It was Just me telling my Life story.

 

 

[Genie]

I think that "newbies" who are part of Lil Beginnings are better educated than those who have not been able to share the experiences, via this venue, of mini horse owners who have had experiences and have shared them.

So the o.p. in my opinion is "preaching to the choir". I fear that the "newbies" targeted in the topic are not members of this forum.

 

[RhineStone]

I now realize that it was a total mistake!! I should have NEVER bought him! I still love him though.

I have learned so much. Yet I still has SO much to learn!!!!

 

Good for you, Savannah!

The longer I live, and the more I learn, the more I realize the less I know!

I'm glad the OP had the nerve to start this topic. It has been needed to be "said" a long time, and if it helps one person think twice, it has served its purpose.

As far as those that are not on this forum to read this topic and still breed indiscriminately....my husband has an acronym...CFS. It stands for "Can't Fix Stupid".

(CFS also applies to those people whom others have tried to educate, but won't listen...)

 

[Jill]

I think that "newbies" who are part of Lil Beginnings are better educated than those who have not been able to share the experiences, via this venue, of mini horse owners who have had experiences and have shared them.

I think you're very right, plus the people who are members here probably signed up because they're interested in learning more and sharing their enthusiasm for the breed... I think all of us here are hoping to learn more as we go along. If horses were a breeze, if it was all easy, it might get boring. There's always something new to learn when it comes to horses and I will tell you for a fact, anytime I start feeling like I really have a good handle on horsemanship and horse issues -- one of my beloved hay burners will do something unexpected that shows me there's still plenty more to learn

 

[Knottymare]

Well I guess Ill be the 1st one to admitt...

When I 1st got into minis in 2004, I started off with a little fat stallion who I just thought the world of. I knew nothing about registrations or conformation. Well I did buy a mare to be his girlfriend and to breed to to make lots of easy money. I did have my foal, a cute little colt and I put a HUGE price tag on him cause I thought I could. 7 months later he finally sold for $580 double reg. IT WAS A REAL EYE OPENER cause I was a newbie and though "I was going to be big and rich and have my minis and name all over".

I love you for saying this!!!

 

[Riverrose28]

You guys are so right on! You can never learn too much or know it all. Just when you get that smug atitude, like I've got it all covered, and it can't happen to me, guess what, Mother Nature throws you a monkey wrentch, and it happens to you. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever lose a mare, I'd lost foals before, even with the vet in attendence, but I had the smug atitude, not one of my beloved mares. I thought every thing was in place, I'd been breeeding for over 20 years, cameras on, in the barn, Vet there in attendence and mare bleed out. My beloved show mare that I had spent countless hours training, dieing in my arms trying to give me, selfish me, the foal of my dreams. I will live with that quilt for the rest of my life. She lost her life for something I did.

Any way, I knew when this was first posted that some would find the subject controversal, and hoped someone wouldn't get their feelings hurt over others opinions, and it seems that Eagle got her feelings hurt, for this I am sorry! I din't start this thread, but have made many comments on it, and find it imformative and educational, but am so sorry that Eagle got hurt feelings, I only hope she comes back to us, if not she will be missed.

 

[Sandee]

Perhaps the title "newbie" is misused here. Some people are referring to themselves as Newbie because they just got started 1, 3, 5 years ago and some say they're Newbies because they haven't learned all there is out there to learn about these little guys. The label the OP was looking for was more like "blind, deaf, and dumb" people (and I'm not referring to physical handicaps).

A woman (that I'm sure will never see this - no computer so I can repeat it) wanted to breed her little mare which she'd only had a year or two so her grandchildren could "see the baby grow up". I told her she needed to read up. I gave her this site but they had no computer. The mare got bred and ended up delivering alone (fortunate that that worked). The mare was a madien and rejected the baby. This woman called me over and over. I giving her advise about what was needed and what to do but they didn't really want to spend the money on a good vet. I believe they did get a cow vet out once. The foal lived maybe 5 days. It was very sad to think how much suffering that mare and foal had to go thru because these people didn't do any homework, because they didn't want to spend much money, because they didn't educate themselves even when they'd been warned.

I believe that this is type of "newbies" the OP was referring to.

I've been involved in minis for only 7 yrs. and I had big horses before that. I still don't know it all. I come on here and go to clinics and read everything I can. I'm planning to breed my 6 yr old mare this year. It will be her first (and maybe last). I've had her since she was 5 mo. old and she is very special to me. She is really an "all-around" horse. She competes in almost every class there is and gives me 110% in whatever I ask. I'm in my 60s. I thought long and hard about breeding her. I certainly won't be around for the total of any of their lifetimes. It was a hard decision but I made it and I'll live with it. I do believe in training every horse I have to do multiple things. I want them to be as versatile as possible in hopes that my mare nor my stallion never end up "worthless" because all they ever did was breed.

My gelding is a perfect example of that versatile horse. He started out breeding and at 7 was gelded and put in the shows. He has done all the classes; been shown by adluts and kids. When we bought him at age 15, he was a pasture ornament that was 50 lb overweight and headed for physical disaster. He taught us how to drive. A few years later he taught my grown daughter how to drive and gave her the confidence to show. This year at 23 he's going to come back out and take my 6 yr old granddaughter to the ribbons. I believe he's much happier here than when he was overweight in that pasture with goats and lamas and dwarfs. But then maybe I'm just projecting as now I'm retired, I happier when I'm not just sitting feeling old and achy.

I'm sorry for running on...just a subject very close to my heart.

 

[susanne]

As has been noted, the "CFS" and "blind, deaf, and dumb" categories are hardly limited to newbies, but how do you explain those (including some LB regulars with many years experience) who think that none of this applies to them?

EVERYBODY who breeds is, to some degree, part of the problem.

I'm not suggesting anyone stop breeding altogether, but spare me those who smugly point to others and suggest that they at fault.

 

[Molly's Run Minis]

Honestly, people who would get too upset over this thread and decide not to allow themselves to enjoy LB going forward are probably better off leaving the arena of online discussions. It's hard to participate in any message board if you allow the different opinions of others to upset you to the point of becoming angry or personally offended. The whole point of a message board it to share ideas and opinions. We don't all have the same ideas and the same, or even compatible, opinions. If we did all hold the same opinions and ways of handling our horses, we'd really just have boring discussions that wouldn't offer much room for learning!

That said, I don't want anyone to leave. However, maybe some people can take a second glance at what's actually been said and evaluate if it's really something worth being personally upset or offended over. While I didn't read each post, I didn't see anyone held out as a negative example or any fingers pointing at any specific person. I for one can promise I had no individual member or farm in mind when I expressed my point of view. I really feel that's the case with other replies, too.

you say that, but people on this forum can and do say VERY hurtful things if they dont agree. i should know

the only reason i stick around is because of the learning opprotunities

and because of the cute foal announcements

lol

 

[kaykay]

An important thing to note is to always give back. I always say to people to support CMHR because one day they may rescue a horse you bred. It can happen to any of us that sell horses or breed. I always try really hard to help horses in need whenever I can whether that be donating money or time or networking to find a horse a home.

I was talking to my neighbor that runs a foaling farm the other day (one of the most knowledgeable horsewomen I know) and she said shes still learning almost daily.

There is so much information to take in when it comes to horses and you have to keep learning and trying to evolve.

Kay

 

[Jill]

As has been noted, the "CFS" and "blind, deaf, and dumb" categories are hardly limited to newbies, but how do you explain those (including some LB regulars with many years experience) who think that none of this applies to them?

EVERYBODY who breeds is, to some degree, part of the problem.

I'm not suggesting anyone stop breeding altogether, but spare me those who smugly point to others and suggest that they at fault.

I do not think that everyone who breeds is part of a problem. Some of those who breed are setting great examples and they are proving the worth and the advancement of their programs every single year. I am very thankful to some outstanding breeders because some have helped me along the way, through mentoring, sharing information, and by making available to me some of the horses I hold so dear.

 

[Raine Ranch Minis]

[/size][/font]Good for you, Savannah!

The longer I live, and the more I learn, the more I realize the less I know!

I'm glad the OP had the nerve to start this topic. It has been needed to be "said" a long time, and if it helps one person think twice, it has served its purpose.

As far as those that are not on this forum to read this topic and still breed indiscriminately....my husband has an acronym...CFS. It stands for "Can't Fix Stupid".

(CFS also applies to those people whom others have tried to educate, but won't listen...)

Thank You!

 

[barnbum]

One area I've always pondered, is why so many breed year after year. It seems less often would help a breeder to see who will sell, who won't, and to plan on time/space/money before breeding again and again and again. Some may have 5-40 foals on the ground, then find out they aren't selling, but all the mares are bred again. Then a trip is made to auction, or in desperation no checks are done on buyers, in order to make space for the new ones.

I was a very small breeder--only had six foals born here--two every other year. Every other year gave me the chance to re-evaluate the situation before breeding again. Three of mine were sold--two not until they were 3-4 years old, and three are still here because they're part of my heart herd. I've had nice offers on several of them (even though they're not for sale!), but I don't need/want to sell. As long as the two fillies born here are in my care, they will never be bred. There are enough minis out there.

Take a year off of breeding--the market will appreciate it and so will your mares.

 

[Connie P]

An important thing to note is to always give back. I always say to people to support CMHR because one day they may rescue a horse you bred. It can happen to any of us that sell horses or breed. I always try really hard to help horses in need whenever I can whether that be donating money or time or networking to find a horse a home.

I was talking to my neighbor that runs a foaling farm the other day (one of the most knowledgeable horsewomen I know) and she said shes still learning almost daily.

There is so much information to take in when it comes to horses and you have to keep learning and trying to evolve.

Kay

This is where I am at right now also - I only breed a few that are very well planned and that I can afford to keep should they not sell (to approved homes I might add). I work very hard at rescue as my way of giving back (Current President of CMHR). I try to learn something each and every day as one can never know everything.

 

[WhiteTailsMinis]

Interesting thread and yes, I've read it in its entirety.

Usually this time of year there are tons of foal announcements both on the main forum and the photo pages and even duplicated in the special foal arrivals at the very top that ML has pinned.

We all so enjoy (or at least the comments and feedback lead one to believe we all enjoy it - nobody responds with "why on earth did you breed any this year - shame on you") seeing the beautiful lil gifts everyone is getting and most of us - I think - look forward to the new foal announcements this time of year. We're stale and bored from the long dead winter and the foal announcements add alittle excitement maybe?

We not only enjoy looking at others and congratulating them, but don't we all like to share our excitement and show them off? Gosh, we've all waited 11 months for these little bundles and planned their breeding very carefully and hope we get what we expected and more importantly, alive and healthy first and foremost. Why else would anyone post a new foal announcement if not? You're not allowed to mention in any way shape or form that it might be available for sale, so if you're not wanting to share and see what people think of your new baby, why post at all?

So, with that said - What I'm wondering NOW is ..........................how many who normally post their new babies will refrain from posting their new foals after this thread?

How many will hold back and not post their special baby for fear of what folks might think but simply not say in their comment - or not comment at all because they don't agree with the fact you had any babies at all in this economy anyway?

I (we) for one probably won't share any at all on LB (and yes we have some on the ground already) .... .... as now already feel I'm in a taboo category for breeding even one based on everyones feelings here. More and more I understand why the big name farms don't post stuff on LB.

If folks want to see what's happening on this farm - they can see us on FB. I'm not leaving LB by any means and will continue to participate as usual, but most likely won't be announcing any new arrivals on LB this year ................. ** you understand that Holly? *

 

Honestly, I'm not picking a fight - no intention of that - and not taking sides - but after reading everything here - - this is my initial feeling - - don't share our babies this year for fear of what people think of us breeding at all.

(I came back to add one more sentence: there are folks that have commented on this thread that have already posted their 2011 new arrivals ....... food for thought huh?)

 

[MindyLee]

Interesting thread and yes, I've read it in its entirety.

Usually this time of year there are tons of foal announcements both on the main forum and the photo pages and even duplicated in the special foal arrivals at the very top that ML has pinned.

We all so enjoy (or at least the comments and feedback lead one to believe we all enjoy it - nobody responds with "why on earth did you breed any this year - shame on you") seeing the beautiful lil gifts everyone is getting and most of us - I think - look forward to the new foal announcements this time of year. We're stale and bored from the long dead winter and the foal announcements add alittle excitement maybe?

We not only enjoy looking at others and congratulating them, but don't we all like to share our excitement and show them off? Gosh, we've all waited 11 months for these little bundles and planned their breeding very carefully and hope we get what we expected and more importantly, alive and healthy first and foremost. Why else would anyone post a new foal announcement if not? You're not allowed to mention in any way shape or form that it might be available for sale, so if you're not wanting to share and see what people think of your new baby, why post at all?

So, with that said - What I'm wondering NOW is ..........................how many who normally post their new babies will refrain from posting their new foals after this thread?

How many will hold back and not post their special baby for fear of what folks might think but simply not say in their comment - or not comment at all because they don't agree with the fact you had any babies at all in this economy anyway?

I (we) for one probably won't share any at all on LB (and yes we have some on the ground already) .... .... as now already feel I'm in a taboo category for breeding even one based on everyones feelings here. More and more I understand why the big name farms don't post stuff on LB.

If folks want to see what's happening on this farm - they can see us on FB. I'm not leaving LB by any means and will continue to participate as usual, but most likely won't be announcing any new arrivals on LB this year ................. ** you understand that Holly? *

 

Honestly, I'm not picking a fight - no intention of that - and not taking sides - but after reading everything here - - this is my initial feeling - - don't share our babies this year for fear of what people think of us breeding at all.

(I came back to add one more sentence: there are folks that have commented on this thread that have already posted their 2011 new arrivals ....... food for thought huh?)

Well that just sucks! I enjoy seeing your foals but I guess I'll just stalk your website more ofter! But cant blam you if this struck a nerve.

I've been bitting my finger to make sure I dont point fingers so I just put my own experiance on here instead which admitted my wrongful breeding and my reasoning behind it when I very 1st got into minis yrs back. Things have changed and so has my reasoning to why I should breed and what I breed. I was a "newbie" and will always be one as I learn everyday something new. If it was'nt for many of the topics here and even the heated ones, I would still be in the same mindset I was in back whan I 1st purchased my 1st mini in 2004. Most of what I learn here I pass on to the next "newbie" cause I never had anyone tell me any kind of info about minis. I just jumped in feet 1st and learned on my own.

HERE'S WHAT REALLY HAPPENS!

I work at a feed store (TSC) and I cant tell you how many folks who get into any type of animal wants to jump in feet 1st like I did and almost everytime in the first part of my conversation, Breeding my new pets for proffit comes up. I never tell them dont do it, but I do educate them the best I can in the fastest and nicest way I can while standing there. Many of these new pet owners are 1st time mini horses owners and I EVERYTIME give them my bussiness card with this website on the back for them to visite to get all the info they can inquire from here. I have had folks think twice about breeding right away, they may later, but to purchas and breed right away, they think more into it when I inform them its not all what it seems to be. I again tell them to visit the Fourm to see the real proof of what breeding can end up like. I also usally know what local farm they bought their new mini from and it scares me to hear what the seller has planted in their head about how great and rich the new owner can be if they breed their new mini cause its got reg applacatins or the reg itself or a famouse horse in its bloodline somewhere. I again, never put the farm down but use my minis as a example for them and show them photos on my phone and show them what it takes to have minis who make money. They look at my pro photo shots and go "oh my" and I then say, I havnt made a dime on them. It's just a really nice photo. But see how I could tell you a lie so easily? I do strive to change their minds and give them the local mini horse club info and tell them about enjoying them in the showring instead. And if they want to breed Please read up on it and if they have any questions, PLEASE call me and I will help you or point you in the right direction the best I can.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

Interesting thread and yes, I've read it in its entirety.

Usually this time of year there are tons of foal announcements both on the main forum and the photo pages and even duplicated in the special foal arrivals at the very top that ML has pinned.

We all so enjoy (or at least the comments and feedback lead one to believe we all enjoy it - nobody responds with "why on earth did you breed any this year - shame on you") seeing the beautiful lil gifts everyone is getting and most of us - I think - look forward to the new foal announcements this time of year. We're stale and bored from the long dead winter and the foal announcements add alittle excitement maybe?

We not only enjoy looking at others and congratulating them, but don't we all like to share our excitement and show them off? Gosh, we've all waited 11 months for these little bundles and planned their breeding very carefully and hope we get what we expected and more importantly, alive and healthy first and foremost. Why else would anyone post a new foal announcement if not? You're not allowed to mention in any way shape or form that it might be available for sale, so if you're not wanting to share and see what people think of your new baby, why post at all?

So, with that said - What I'm wondering NOW is ..........................how many who normally post their new babies will refrain from posting their new foals after this thread?

How many will hold back and not post their special baby for fear of what folks might think but simply not say in their comment - or not comment at all because they don't agree with the fact you had any babies at all in this economy anyway?

I (we) for one probably won't share any at all on LB (and yes we have some on the ground already) .... .... as now already feel I'm in a taboo category for breeding even one based on everyones feelings here. More and more I understand why the big name farms don't post stuff on LB.

If folks want to see what's happening on this farm - they can see us on FB. I'm not leaving LB by any means and will continue to participate as usual, but most likely won't be announcing any new arrivals on LB this year ................. ** you understand that Holly? *

 

Honestly, I'm not picking a fight - no intention of that - and not taking sides - but after reading everything here - - this is my initial feeling - - don't share our babies this year for fear of what people think of us breeding at all.

(I came back to add one more sentence: there are folks that have commented on this thread that have already posted their 2011 new arrivals ....... food for thought huh?)

Marlene,

I'm not sure I quite understand what you're saying here. Are you saying you purposely don't post announcements/pics of your new foals here (I thought you hadn't just because you were too busy) because you're thinking people will be holding some judgement on you because you bred a mare?

If that's the reason you wouldn't post, poo on that!

Post away!!! I for one want to see your little darlings! Everyone is entitled to breed as many as they wish and again I think this post wasn't intended to tell certain folks not to breed, it was a reminder to us all to do it with thought. And obviously, you do it with MUCH thought!

It's good for all of us, myself included, to be reminded once in a while about why we do this, have we really thought through all the aspects, are we in a position to handle the outcomes, etc. To me, this is what this post is about...reminding us to think before we leap. That's all.

 

[WhiteTailsMinis]

Marlene,

I'm not sure I quite understand what you're saying here. Are you saying you purposely don't post announcements/pics of your new foals here (I thought you hadn't just because you were too busy) because you're thinking people will be holding some judgement on you because you bred a mare?

Yes and Yes ..... yes have been too busy and was waiting for photo op (cell phone cameras don't do them justice) and yes, now I fear the judgement for breeding to post any at all.

 

 

If that's the reason you wouldn't post, poo on that!

Post away!!! I for one want to see your little darlings! Everyone is entitled to breed as many as they wish and again I think this post wasted intended to tell certain folks not to breed, it was a reminder to us all to do it with thought. And obviously, you do it with MUCH thought!

Thank you for that vote of confidence and compliment - that means alot considering how hard we've worked to put our program together and the huge investments we've made.

It's good for all of us, myself included, to be reminded once in a while about why we do this, have we really thought through all the aspects, are we in a position to handle the outcomes, etc. To me, this is what this post is about...reminding us to think before we leap. That's all.

Can't argue your viewpoint at all - makes perfect sense and stands to reason - most likely exactly what the OP intended of course although some of the ongoing posts led me to my thoughts of not sharing for fear of judgement by continuing to breed in this economy. Those who know us intimately know we have no issues with space or quality of care and we don't set out to sell all our foals anyway - we retain many foals for our own program who later replace initial mares we may have started with so that eventually we'll have our own homebred breeding program.

 

 

[HGFarm]

I think this post is geared towards those who just think they are going to mass produce, or have foals that they think they are going to make a bunch of money on, not caring what kind of home they go to.. the dollar is the big thing.

And I think the moral of the post is, if you cant afford them or they aren't selling and you cant keep them, dont breed, or cut back, or something.

I will continue to breed, for a couple of foals a year, as I enjoy them and have really not had that much trouble selling them. And I will continue to post them here, as I truly enjoy them and know that others do too. I love seeing everyone else's foals in the spring as well. I live my life to be happy, whether someone else agrees or not with what I am doing... well, that is their prerogative. Perhaps what is good for me is not good for them, and visa versa.

ETA: If you have to haul your horses to an auction every year to indiscriminately dump them because you have no room for the new ones due and they are not selling at all, then I would say perhaps it's time to think about what or how many you are producing.