Contacting Horses Breeder

[MileyMouse]

I brought a lovely 6 year ISH last november, he is everything I want and more.

I would love to know about his background i.e what he was like as a baby, what his parents looked like, what they had done etc. I have got a basic address for his breeders in Ireland to write them a letter...but I haven't got a clue what to say.

Has anybody else written to their horses breeders and got back information?

What is the best thing to say (or not to say) to get a good response?

Thank you all if you can help!

 

[AmyMay]

I wrote to my horses breeders shortly after I bought him.

I just put an introduction to myself in the letter, told them that I had the horse - enclosed a picture and asked if they had any history that they could give me.

I've been in quite regular contact since - and it's been lovely for the breeders to hear about the horse, and for me to update them on what we've been up to.

 

[zoeshiloh]

I've had people write to, and even phone me (I guess they looked up address in passport to get number) asking about horses I have bred/owned. Normally they start like;

Dear xyz, I have just purchased a 16hh bay gelding, known as "xxxx" and saw that you were down as a previous owner/the breeder of this horse. I am fascinated to know a bit more about his history...

They normally go on to say where/who they bought the horse from, what they have done so far, and what they plan to do, and a few recent pictures.

I had one lady call once who was so vague, and it was like she didn't want to tell me anything about her/the horse but wanted to know all the past from right up to when he was born - I was a bit more stand-offish with her to be honest. The people who tell me more about what the horse is doing now, are the people I will give the most time/effort to.