Ok got a dilema- what would you do?

cblover

cblover

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As some of you will know, I am looking for another cob like Kinzzy, but bigger. Really want over 15hh but a heavyweight cob like she is.

We've been to see a 3 day old foal by a 15.2hh heavyweight piebald stallion, out of a 15.2hh heavyweight clyde x skewbald mare. The mare is very roomy and well built. We have been offered the foal for a reasonable price and I have said I will passport, chip and graze mare and foal till weaning at our cost! The owner has agreed to this and I said I would insure the foal as soon as I pay a deposit. The mare will go back to the stallion to be covered prior to coming to me which gives me time to get our hay done and have some free fields.

My friend thinks I'm mad to be taking the risk with a foal like this as I have no guarantee of the adult height. This is true, but with parents like this I can imagine foaly will be big enough. Plus, she is concerned if something happens to the mare whilst in my care!

Her suggestion would be to visit a stud she knows well, have a look at two potential horses for me. One is a 3yr old gelding, like a mini clyde apparently but its £1,800 and the other one is his full brother this year at £850. The owners do know they horses and could shed some light on the history of both mare and stallion.

So......... do I invest a lot of money and get the 3yr old or take a chance with a foal and be involved in its life from day one! What would you do and can you see any problems with what I have offered to do? Much appreciated! I've got pics of all of them if it would help to have them posted on here!
 
There are no gaurentees of adult height but I thought there was a way to predict an exepcted height using leg length measurements. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable about breeding than I am will say.

There do seem to be a lot of chances in your 3 day old though. Do oyu know the history of the mare? Can you vet something that young? Attractive though it is to have something from foal onward it reads to me more like the owner trying to get free grazing for his mare for the better part of the year. But I'm open to being wrong about that!

You will also need to think about seperate insurance for the mare as I presume she will be your legal responsibility for the next 7 months or so. That might add to your costs.

I presume you have had foals and backed horses before? I know it isn't something I would feel equipped to do despite more years around horses than I care to remember!

As long as you go into this with your eyes open to the various risks then you're an adult and it is your choice. But do make sure you know what you're getting into!
 
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The breeder of my youngster has a lovely Clydie/cob that is 3 years old also appaloosa. (Clydesdale mare x appaloosa cob sire, 15.hh- same sire as mine) He is in Southern Ireland though, and he is gorgeous, probably be a good price too as he wants to sell some stock.
Probably not much handled though like mine, but that can be an advantage too.
I can pm you a link to my facebook so you can see a picture if your interested, (do a friend request ok?)
 
personally i'd go for the foal just because i got one 2yrs ago and its been the best experience of my life. best of luck..x
 
Will you have similar aged company for the foal? Foals do benefit from other foal company, and as they mature being part of a herd in order to learn manners. Of course, you teach them manners too, but the majority is learnt out in the field.

Buying something as a newborn foal will not be the cheaper option. By the time you've passported, chipped (as i understand this has to be done by the stud does it not??? :confused: ), fed, weaned (have you any experience of weaning? do you have facilities to do so?) plus regular vet x 2, farrier etc... it can cost alot!

I think I'd be inclined to go with something older. You will know it's breeding, you will see what it's likely to turn out like, and you'll not have the hassle of weaning. Plus at 3 it will be on more of a mental 'play' level with your own horses. A foal won't.
 
First and foremost, pictures of each are indeed mandatory!

Secondly, why not visit the stud your friend knows and have a bit of a peek? Personally, I'd go for the foal as you've then got total control of it's life leading up to backing and beyond so you know it will be ok. And as long as you've another horse to ride, you won't be annoyed about missing riding!

:D
 
Look at grandparents generation if you can
-- my friend put a super 15.2hh cob mare to a reputed 15.2hh heavy cob stallion to breed her horse of a lifetime ... errr result is a 12.2hh middleweight thing that looks like a pony -- not hairy at all and seem to have nothing of either parent other than the promised tobiano from the sire :eek: .. She's 8 now and absolutely cracking - won't ever be sold, but was rather unexpected to put it mildly. Can happen with throwbacks and in this case not much was known about the dam.
 
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