[AintNoSaint]

I was just curious to find out people's opinions on the backyard breeder and how its affecting our industry. I just read an article from my hometown in Idaho where 12 horses were recently seized due to neglect and starvation. They showed pictures of a mare who was absolutely emaciated - they estimate about 400 lbs. underweight - and the owner had the gall to go on camera right after that image was shown and say it was "ridiculous" to think that her horses were malnourished. She then goes on to say that they had eight horses, which was a lot, but she never thought it was too much. When is it really too much? When you can't afford to feed them and they look like skeletons out in your pasture? This owner had 4 stallions who were basically allowed free breeding - I can't imagine they had any terribly desirable traits.
Since the ban of horse slaughter, the problem now is unwanted horses. People are going as far as setting them free on public land, which is a death sentence for most domestic horses. Euthanasia is too expensive, and the market is in the dumps. Where do these horses go?
How do we raise awareness about STOPPING the backyard breeding to help slow down this abundance of unwanted horses?
It has to come to the attention of the public that this is a huge problem, but how do we get the message out there? I'm all for a "spay and neuter your horse" campaign (while I realize it is expensive and even risky to spay a mare, but I am just implying a preventative breeding program), but I don't know how to go about getting the ball rolling on that. Ideas?? Thanks for listening!

[Buckshot]

spaying would be really inconvienent, unfortunately, and hard to enforce. I personally wouldn't spay a mare anyway, unless I had a really good reason to.

I agree, we need to cut down on backyard breeding, but we need to draw a line between "Backyard Breeders", and people who breed small amounts of quality horses at their own facility.

Unfortunately, as I've seen many many times even on this forum, it's hard to talk someone out of breeding their less-than-quality mare. They think, "She's a great horse for me, why don't I breed her so I can have a cute little foal like her?"

Maybe educating people to what happens to many backyard bred horses would encourage them to stop breeding. When you look at all the possible prices that come from breeding your mares, it really would be less riskier--and possibly cheaper--to buy a young foal.

Sorry for rambling, but BBs are a pretty sore topic with me. That's why I LOVE Fugly.

[AintNoSaint]

I love Fugly too! I agree, there are "small time" breeders out there breeding very high quality horses, which are drastically different than the backyard breeders, but unfortunately, the backyard breeders probably all think that they are the small time breeders of quality animals. LoL. When will it stop?

[Klaycock]

The hardest thing IMO to do is "enlighten" a friend to reality. It is very hard to tell someone you are close to that their animal should not be reproducing but at the same time it HAS to be done. What seems to be equally as difficult is telling somone that even though they are breeding a foal they will "NEVER" sell, doesnt mean that in some point and time the possibility may arise that they are forced to do just that, sell. I have to admit, I bred my reg paint mare (proven show winner w/ good lines) to my then stallion (also came from good lines but was injured and unshown). The result is still standing in my pasture and is my hsubands horse, HOWEVER, because of moron ppl that refused to help me get his paper work back in order (missing several transfers ect..) my gelding is now considered grade or pinto rather than what he is..a well bred, full blooded paint Was there more I could have done to get the paper work in order? possibly but APHA was no help and when I sold the sire, now gelded of course and broke to ride, I made sure his new owner knew exactly what the problem was and she also has had no luck in getting the papers straightend out. At the same time, keep in mind I am not saying a grade horse is a bad horse, only that if you do say buy a grade foal, for heaven sakes train it so it will have marketability if for some reason selling becomes a must. Is there a way to stop BB's, probably not. As stated before, owners tend to think their horse is top of the line rather than seeing the faults as they are. I own one mare that truly is breeding worthy and because of the market today I simply refuse to bring yet another horse into the world for fear of where it may or may not end up. I wish there was an answer and if anyone sends out some sort of petition throw it my way and I'll sign away!!
Ok my speal is over..heehee

[Fire]

What really disgusts me is that people think it is okay to breed their fugly horses, even if it is just one foal. I know people personally that are breeding useless horses from stallions and mares that have accomplished nothing other than having the correct organs to breed. It's ridiculous. And this subject makes me absolutely irate, so I have to stop now. But I do believe that the slaughter ban has a lot to do with the crumbling horse market, because there is no bottom to the market. Good, sound, broke horses are going for much less than the kill buyers would even pay for them. Good for buyers, sucks for people who actually breed and train good horses.

[Dancers Mom]

Originally Posted by Buckshot

spaying would be really inconvienent, unfortunately, and hard to enforce. I personally wouldn't spay a mare anyway, unless I had a really good reason to.

I agree, we need to cut down on backyard breeding, but we need to draw a line between "Backyard Breeders", and people who breed small amounts of quality horses at their own facility.

Unfortunately, as I've seen many many times even on this forum, it's hard to talk someone out of breeding their less-than-quality mare. They think, "She's a great horse for me, why don't I breed her so I can have a cute little foal like her?"

Maybe educating people to what happens to many backyard bred horses would encourage them to stop breeding. When you look at all the possible prices that come from breeding your mares, it really would be less riskier--and possibly cheaper--to buy a young foal.

Sorry for rambling, but BBs are a pretty sore topic with me. That's why I LOVE Fugly.

I agree! I love my mare and well it would be great to have a cute little foal that looks just like her there are some traits I do not think I would want to pass on. She has what I would consider a really nice pedigree but I am not going to breed her, I would rather help rescue one. She was a rescue and for me, even though I am a newby rescuing makes you feel like you made a difference, a small one but you did. I really would like to have a BLM Mustang someday or a baby from the PMU.

[County]

I have seen nothing that would indicate the shutting down of the U.S. slaughter plants has been the reason people turn horses loose. Slaughter is banned in 3 states only the other 47 still have it. We ship as many horses to slaughter to Mex. and Can. as we slaughtered here.

I think the droughts, gas prices, hay and grain costs are the reason scum set horses free or starve them. I can honestly say I've yet te hear anyone say " If I can't sell my horse to slaughter here in the U.S. I'll starve it or turn it loose" .

Backyard breeders are no differant then any other breeders. Some do a very good job and some don't. Either way I'm not in favor of anyone telling another what they can raise and what they can't its a personal choice and it should be. Very few people breed animals to make money its much more a hobby then a business to most.

[Sandra-A1]

I do not believe you will ever stop people from breeding I do believe that you can do your part to educate as many as you can.
Sure there will be some people who will never be willing to listen and learn, but you should be more than willing to help educate those who are willing to do so.

There are so many ways to educate new and novice horse owners and those who have dreams of producing and raising a foal by breeding their mare.
Let me think...okay, just off the top of my head......

There is a lot of great educational material online...gather it up organize it and then print it off into a nice little pamplet, or booklet, to give to the buyer each time you sell a horse. You can even have them ready and available to give to anyone you come across who could us a little more "education.'

Donate all, or even a few, of your old horse magazines to your local school library. There are lots of young people there who will not only love looking/reading them but who will also learn from them. If you can't bear to part with them then buy the school a gift subscription to one or two of your favorite ones!

Invite these people to your local saddle and/or breed clubs. Get them active and interacting with the more experienced horse owners/breeders in your area.
Mentoring works!!!

Above all....make a conscious effort to keep your judgmental opinions and criticisms to yourself when you come across new horse owners and backyard breeders.
Do keep in mind that it is not just what you say, but how you say it, that can instantly turn them off and close their mind to anything you can say.

Remember.....your not going to change them, their way of thinking, and how they do things overnight. Be more than willing to settle for baby steps and letting things be "their idea". After all, your not trying to educate these people for your own personal gain and glory...but for the horses.

[lexie51]

Hi county, For the first time in the history of reading anything you say, I have to agree with you...I to believe its only scum that turns horses loose to fend for themselves or makes the God Awful choice to strave them. I still feel the same way when it comes to wanting horse slaughter to end,nothing will ever change my mind on that. Everynow and then you say something that makes me feel as though you are not the real tuff guy you seem to protray.Could it be that maybe your wife is swaying you just a teeny tiny little bit?

[Ginger_Nell]

Originally Posted by Klaycock

The hardest thing IMO to do is "enlighten" a friend to reality. It is very hard to tell someone you are close to that their animal should not be reproducing but at the same time it HAS to be done. What seems to be equally as difficult is telling somone that even though they are breeding a foal they will "NEVER" sell, doesnt mean that in some point and time the possibility may arise that they are forced to do just that, sell. I have to admit, I bred my reg paint mare (proven show winner w/ good lines) to my then stallion (also came from good lines but was injured and unshown). The result is still standing in my pasture and is my hsubands horse, HOWEVER, because of moron ppl that refused to help me get his paper work back in order (missing several transfers ect..) my gelding is now considered grade or pinto rather than what he is..a well bred, full blooded paint Was there more I could have done to get the paper work in order? possibly but APHA was no help and when I sold the sire, now gelded of course and broke to ride, I made sure his new owner knew exactly what the problem was and she also has had no luck in getting the papers straightend out. At the same time, keep in mind I am not saying a grade horse is a bad horse, only that if you do say buy a grade foal, for heaven sakes train it so it will have marketability if for some reason selling becomes a must. Is there a way to stop BB's, probably not. As stated before, owners tend to think their horse is top of the line rather than seeing the faults as they are. I own one mare that truly is breeding worthy and because of the market today I simply refuse to bring yet another horse into the world for fear of where it may or may not end up. I wish there was an answer and if anyone sends out some sort of petition throw it my way and I'll sign away!!
Ok my speal is over..heehee

I agree with you. It is extreamly hard to tell someone that they shouldn't be breeding what they're breeding. Not only that there aren't many times when they actually believe you. Like someone else said most backyard breeders think they're breeding top quality horse. I know someone that is breeding mares to his stallion none of which have done anything or are fully trained, they get ridden maybe once every 3 months, I know this beacause each one on every ride hes done has bucked him off, bolted or freaked out in someway and I get to hear about it. I know I'm no expert on breeding or the breeding quality but my goodness when your foals don't come out right and you decide that its not your responisiblity to get it treated I don't think you should be allowed to breed. And when your supposedly breeding for color but don't know that your three bay foals aren't acctually buckskins I have problems with that.
I guess my peeve is that I think you should be knowlegeable in breeding before you go and start your own stallion station.
lol I almost wish that each registry would have a mandatory learning course you had to take and pass before you're allowed to breed. I know this is probably unrealistic but I can dream-of responisable knowlegeble owners that is