To breed or not to breed!

TopTotty

TopTotty

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I have in the past two years bed a yearling and a two year old from Mill Law and Upton's Deli Circus hopefully for me to event in the future. I am now wondering if it is worthwhile breeding to sell. I have two mares of my own to breed from at the moment and I am very interested in setting up my own stud, starting small with my mares and breeding good quality foals for eventing / jumping. Do you think it is worth it in the current market?? I would really value your opnions.
 
its impossible to answer without knowing what your mares are like!

unless they are outstanding in terms of bloodlines, performance, conf etc then i can't see it being truly viable.

have you got your own land to keep them on so there are no livery costs?

are the mares graded?
 
I would imagine the cost of breeding would far outway what you'd actually get in terms of a financial return.
 
Yes I have my own yard so no livery costs. My mares have well known bloodlines and I'm not looking to get rich just to earn a living...lol!
 
Yes I do realise that!!!! I do have 5 mares altogether but some are competing and I own a livery yard so it is a sideline to start with. One has not competed as she is only 7 and had a foal last year and the other has done pre novice.
 
There are far too many surplus horses around atm. Everyone I know that breeds has either stopped or seriously cut back due to current financial climate.
Unless you have an advanced mare, or one with proven youngsters, it's a big risk. not only financially to you, but to the horses you sell. Sorry..........
 
Short answer is No - I had (lost a mare and foal last week) 3 mares. Only managed 3 live foals in one season, usually 2 and sometimes even just one foal. There are no guarentees and if you are trying to make a living then the loss of a foal is financially bad but to loose both as I have just done is even worse. I don't breed to make money - I would be kidding myself if I thought I did and although my youngstock has always sold for good money when you look at the cost of getting them to 7+ months ready for sale even without livery costs and no time costs either it doesn't add up to a living - a bit of pocket money maybe but then with the loss of mare + foal any 'profit' is now gone.

I don't ever look at mine in cost terms and the loss of my mare is devestating emotionally, I do it because I love it and I think I am slightly mad!!
 
I've always done it as a hobby too as I love it - nuts I know!!! But I own the stallion, the mares, the land and stables, and more often than not I don't even break even on the basic costs - my time and effort don't even come into the equation!!! The saying "if you want to make a million with horses....start out with 10 million" is very true!!!!!
It costs me on average £2500 to get a horse from conception to yearling, without my time added, I buy in the best feeds for the mares/haylage etc, I maintain my paddocks/fencing not to mention vet bill/registration/vaccinations/wormers/microchips/general health checks/scans/blood tests and swabs, plus extra vet bills if needed etc. If you cut corners I'm sure you could make a few bucks, but don't expect to get paid for all your time and effort for a basically 24/7, 365 day a year job!!!! I don't ride either anymore so if I did I would add to that all the competition/show costs for the horses, plus advertising. I work too to pay for them, as does my sister - so I would say unless you have a bottomless money pit then stick to livery and breed one or 2 for yourself!!!!:) The stress of finding the right home is also huuuge - all the time wasting fruities come out of the wood work when you try to sell!!!!
 
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