What do you consider

[heart k ranch]

I saw someone say something about it. I wanted to know people thought.

Me I see them as someone who breeds to make money. Doesn't care about the horse or whats going to happen to the horse. They think they are someone because they breed CRAP. Doesn't look at bloodlines. etc, etc, I could go on forever..

how abotu ya'll?

 

[Jill]

Well, my horses are just about truly in my back yard. But, when someone uses that term, what I think of is someone who's not breeding for quality (and someone who is maybe not even aware of what is and is not quality).

 

[HGFarm]

LOL, mine are in the 'back yard' as well... but I agree with you and Jill. It is not a complimentary term really- someone who may breed on a small and careless level is what we always considered it as...

 

[heart k ranch]

Mine are REALLYin my back yard.

If ya'lls are

 

[SilverDollar]

I would agree with Jill. I'm not a breeder and am not against "responsible" breeding but there are just way too many horses out there (more bigs than minis).

To me, the term "backyard breeder", means someone who is only thinking of making money, not interested in conformation and health issues, doesn't take the time to research and learn all they can about the breed, the bloodlines, temperament, what other breeders are breeding...things like that. From what I have read and heard on these boards, the vast majority of the breeders here are the "responsible" ones and I've learned a great deal from them about minis. Thanks!

JMHO.

 

[Katiean]

I think I would put my brother into that catagory (unfortunately). He thinks he can breed 1 mare and make money on her (wanting her to produce a baby year after year). He isn't planning on showing. He won't drive them. He doesn't want them for pets. He is looking for that foal crop and selling babies. I think it is really sad.

 

[nootka]

Backyard breeder = a misnomer.

The physical location of the horses is irrelevant.

What is meant by this term is someone that buys a bunch of horses with the sole intent of making money off of them by breeding (what many term a puppy mill in the dog world). They may have two or three mares or they may have a hundred. Numbers is irrelevant.

What is relevant is that the only qualification for their horses to be bred is the appropriate reproductive organs.

They will not give consideration to soundness, heritable defects (they may, however, pursue goals which are faddishly popular like wild color or an unusual height) or papers, let alone usefulness. What is usually a common theme with this type of person is that they are very likely to neglect health and comfort (to save money) for their horses in order to get the produce they desire (a foal).

What happens is that small sized breeders that happen to have their horses near their home or just breed small numbers or have inexpensive horses, etc. etc. take offense when it's not meant for them.

I, by virtue of numbers, might be considered a backyard breeder (my pasture takes up much of my "backyard" and at one point, my horses lived in my front and back yards), but I doubt anyone would say that I put the pursuit of foals and money over the care and comfort of my horses.

Liz

 

[sams]

i agree with Jill. i think it is someone who dosent now or care about quality or blood lines or mabey just bred one or two for a pet.

 

[Magic]

In the dog world, a backyard breeder is considered someone who has "average" dogs, not shown or out of show quality dogs, nor tested for health (hips, etc). They just breed to make money, not for the betterment of the breed.

 

[maestoso]

I agree with many of the posts here, however, I feel that the term is often used unfairly too. Sometimes knowledgable people are breeding for their own fun and enjoyment, but just because their horses aren't "show quality" others view them as irresponsible or misinformed. Their ARE responsible breeders who breed for fun pets or for performances horses and people need to realize that this is OK! As long as they have the knowledge and experience to properly care for their horses. You can't clump these people into your negative connotation of the "backyard breeder."

It is also unfair to say that "the backyard breeder is in it for the money" because ANYONE who is making a profit from selling their horses, IS in it for the money. If you weren't in it for the money, you would cover your breeding expenses and sell to break even.

 

[Relic]

We have always been backyard breeders and no am not ashamed of it..no one here lacks for anything. Just a term we've always used for people that do what we do..

 

[Warpony]

I don't like the term at all, because I don't think it is even remotely accurate. When most people say "backyard breeder" what they usually mean is "irresponsible breeder". They can be irresponsible for any number of reasons... breeding too many horses for the market, breeding poor quality horses, not taking proper care of the animals, or having deceptive or careless sales practices.

 

[heart k ranch]

I get that Matt..... Everyone wants to make a profit BUT I am not in it for the money alone.

I love my mares and studs. No they are the best for others but great for me! but the "back yard" breeders that we are talking about are the idiots that don't know what there breeding, but just breeding for the heck of it.

 

[nightflight]

Hi Matt,

I think the term "hobby breeder" could apply.

 

[nootka]

The qualifier is that it is "only" the money that is the goal, either that or some big ego trip (which is rare, but it happens).

All in all, it is someone who has little regard for the life or quality of life of the animals. I often wonder why these people don't buy and sell stocks or something that hasn't got a beating heart, instead of having a few lice-ridden, sad little horses who they can't possibly get large prices for, in order to achieve their desire to "farm" or whatever it is that drives some of these people.

I also can't see that there's much money in it, as, on average, their stock is usually worthless for other breeders to purchase. It seems it perpetuates a problem to buy and sell cheaply.

Yes, many people are in it for the money, but they also can do so by caring for and cultivating their stock, and being respectful of quality of life while also pursuing quality horses.

The term backyard breeder just gets too many people's hackles up, for the same reason that some of the other threads that have been heated recently do. (ugh, grammar is not my strong suit)

We can all see things about the problem that resemble ourselves. It's not fun to see that we may be making a mistake, or causing a worsening of a problem. If we feel offended, we take a good look at why, and if it's unfounded, we move on.

I am not offended by the term backyard breeder, even though some might think I am one, and at one point, I was probably headed toward BEING one. Luckily, I don't have to worry about making big $$$, or any $$$, so I can take good care of my horses whether or not there is ever another foal born here.

If it WAS about money, I like to think that I could balance the two, putting the welfare of my horses first without question.

Liz

 

[CritterCountry]

I guess I am a backyard breeder. I have one unregistered mare who is bred to a registered stallion. I did not do it to make money (because honestly the market is flooded right now and if I had known how bad it was I would not have bred her). I happen to like having foals. The foal already has a home. And I did my research. The stallion's conformation compliments my mare's. If she had bad conformation or genetic issues she would not be bred at all. I DO care about my mare. Maybe too much. She gets regular farrier and vet care. She is exercised, fed, watered and doted on daily. If I had a trailer I would show her in local shows.

I think the term is used too loosely sometimes. I could point out backyard breeders and they are nothing like me!

 

[Carolyn R]

I don't see it as being a "Bad Comment" . To me it means nothing more than the fact that it is a person that has a few minis that is a Mom and Pop run hobby. It has nothing to do with the quality they have, it is just that it is not a 20 foal per year turn out.

I have a handful of minis, and I pride myself on what I have. Because I dont have $15,000 to spend on one animal doesn't mean they are of poor quality. In my experience I have found some higher quality minis (especially mares) on smaller farms. Small farms are sometimes choosier on what they have. They don't want off bites and crooked legs even if "the mare is being bred with a quality stallion , it'll offset her faults", they just don't want that. I have had more trust issues with large farms than with small well run "back Yard Breeders"LOL

So if that makes me and some others out there back yard breeders, so be it, it isn't the same as a horsie mill.

Just wanted to add, that i have to laugh when I see beautiful foals in pictures (this happens with small farms too, but I have noticed it more with bigger ones) the Foal's momma is standing a few feet away, but only her legs are showing in the photo, and low and behold, momma's hoofs are and inch or more too long with hunks taken out of them! I hate it when horses only get prettied up for a photo shoot!

 

[capall beag]

I think the term implies a breeder with little knowledge and one who is in it to make a living or try to with investing little.

My experience is that many 'backyard breeders' are perhaps misinformed about the financial gains of 'breeding' but their animals are often well cared for.

I would much rather buy from a backyard breeder 'type' than a 'phoney' breeder type! The ones with the awesome websites, the cutsie names for their animals and the brilliant marketing tools but really they are only in it for the money and the animals only purpose is a money maker....they just never admit that and look down on those terrible "backyard breeders"!

Some people are involved with breeding horses for all different personal or financial reasons.....that is fine with me just be honest about it.

AND NO this is not meant towards any of the posters, I have actually experienced it more with dogs than horses!

My horses are in my backyard too!

 

[Fred]

I live on an acre so my horses are in my backyard. Yes, like Liz I breed very few horses but it really irks me to think "backyard" should mean poor quality or irresponsible. My show horses are also backyard horses and they do quite well against the big guys, thank you very much. I am a responsible breeder and owner and several of the horses that I own originally came from big farms that are NOT responsible horse owners but because my horses are in a small area that makes me irresponsible? Don't think so. I think you really have to look at the proper context of the term. Some of the BEST horses come from backyards.

 

[heart k ranch]

It has nothing to do with how much land you own!

.

I ALWAYS understood it to be the people who are ONLY out to make money, and doesn't care where that horse ends up!

I'm not meaning anyone here!