[Finallyownhorse]

Some history before my question:

We purchased our first horse in February 07. She was suppose to be pregnant. I was so excited. Since I have never owned a horse before, I had no idea what to expect. So I purchased books and videos.

I had my vet come out, but he couldn't palpate her because he didn't have something he needed to put her in. I can't remember what it is called, but its so he didn't get kicked.

He told me she looked too thin to be pregnant, but since she was a broad horse, she may not be showing yet. My neighbor down the road is a breeder, and he offered to be on call and my vet gave me his home number so I could reach him.

Everyone was excited for me. I waited and waited. When the farrier came out 8 weeks later, he looked at her and said he doubted she was pregnant. He too, was a horse breeder of champion reining horses. He pushed on her and said he felt no foal.

So my mare was just fat, not pregnant. She was probably too old to hold a pregnancy. I felt so bad, hubby agreed to let me purchase a weanling.

The weanling arrived and it hadn't been handled. That was OK. I spent a lot of time working with it and in no time, I had halter trained it and had it picking up its feet.

I was happy with the new arrival, but it wasn't the same. I had waited many nights waiting for this imaginary foal to arrive. I slept out in the pole barn when I thought it was suppose to arrive. My vet gave me a complimentary foaling kit that I kept close at hand at all times.

I wanted so bad to see "my" foal be born and to be part of it from the beginning.

The weanling I purchased was an exceptional horse. Apparently its father had been gelded, so it was the last of his prodigy. The father was a big deal in these parts, even though I didn't know that. I found out about it later. I purchased it because of its looks.

Someone wanted my foal and offered a considerable more money than I paid for it. So I did sell the baby.

I used the money to purchase our most recent riding horse. A papered paint. For those who look all over this board, the "scabs and dry skin" I posted under health were from fly bites. My neighbor who raises horses came over.

Don't I feel silly. First I thought a fat horse was pregnant, now I think fly bites are some horrible disease.

Anyway, I really want a baby horse. This Mare Stare has really given me the bug.

I read and read about the horse overpopulation, but I can't help but want my OWN baby.

I really have no intention of purchasing another weanling. It just wasn't the same.

I would have never searched out a buyer for my weanling because it didn't fill that "need", but since someone wanted her, I don't feel like I gave up on her. They actually came to me.

So how horrible is it that I want to breed our new mare?

[accphotography]

Bottom line is that it is YOUR life, YOUR, horse, YOUR decision. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about going after what you want. Just make sure you know the pros and cons both ways and are prepared to handle every possible problem and you will have nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about.

I understand the flack I may take baout this due to the overpopulation and fugly horses out there... but it IS YOUR decision... not theirs.

ACC

[Rumonek]

If she is "too old to hold a pregnancy" why would you want to waste your money with breeding fees and vet bills? Is she registered? How much are you willing to spend?

[Finallyownhorse]

The original mare is too old to hold a pregnancy. The new mare is 12. The stud I have "picked" out is about $1,000 stud fee.

I figure if I am gonna put the money into a baby, I may as well have a good chance at an excellent one. The new mare is papered with the APHA.

[Finallyownhorse]

Here is a link to the stud I am looking at. I have seen at last years horse expo. He is amazing.

http://olsoncuttinghorses.com/_wsn/page2.html

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by accphotography

Bottom line is that it is YOUR life, YOUR, horse, YOUR decision. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about going after what you want. Just make sure you know the pros and cons both ways and are prepared to handle every possible problem and you will have nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about.

I understand the flack I may take baout this due to the overpopulation and fugly horses out there... but it IS YOUR decision... not theirs.

ACC

This I 100% agree with. Only YOU can make that decision. Just be sure you make it responsibily by understanding everything possible about what your breeding for, what genetic issues you need to learn about, and what is the "plan" for the resulting foal.

[Finallyownhorse]

I'm afraid the only plan I have to see my baby from day one on. It doesn't matter what it looks like or what sex it is.

I want something smart and with a good temperment. The intention would be to keep it forever. I like the stud I chose because he is quick and very easy going. I would like to try weekend gymkahan and barrels, but that would be a second in importance.

We are not rich, but our animals never want for care. We are financially stable enough to handle a large vet bill if it were to happen.

I even plan to wait a year before making the final decision. Right now, the sting of the weanling being gone, might be influencing me.

I just REALLY want a baby! Baby horse that is, don't need anymore human babies.

[GingerSnap]

Originally Posted by finallyownhorse

I'm afraid the only plan I have to see my baby from day one on. It doesn't matter what it looks like or what sex it is.

I want something smart and with a good temperment. The intention would be to keep it forever. I like the stud I chose because he is quick and very easy going. I would like to try weekend gymkahan and barrels, but that would be a second in importance.

We are not rich, but our animals never want for care. We are financially stable enough to handle a large vet bill if it were to happen.

I even plan to wait a year before making the final decision. Right now, the sting of the weanling being gone, might be influencing me.

I just REALLY want a baby! Baby horse that is, don't need anymore human babies.

Go after your dreams and don't let anyone make you feel like your doing the wrong thing!

And on that note have you thought of this handsome man, He has the temperment to die for I just love him. My colt is out of him and if I didn't tell you he was a stallion you would never ever know! He is owned by Acme Acres I am sure you have seen her around the boards.


And here is one of his babies Peyton

[Finallyownhorse]

I LOVE his build! Color is great too. I will have to look him up. Does he have a web site?

[accphotography]

http://www.azpainthorses.com/stallions.html

Is your APHA mare LWO tested?

ACC