[Super_Trooper]

I have noticed that allot of people jump on you in this forum when you mention breeding your horse.

I realize that the point about "so many unwanted aniamls" is a strong arguement as it goes without saying BUT oif you havent realized...there are millions of homless kids out there too but that doesnt stop peoeple from wanting thier own!?

I am going to get into warm blood breeding with a trainer of mine, I am excited about the experience. I would also be more than willing to adopt homeless horses too.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

congrats on the warmblood breeding ST!!! and u make a good point. i am breeding Fiona in the spring of 2005. but i have valid reasons for why i am. 1)she has wonderfull bloodlines 2)she scored a 97(out of 105) at her inspection, the only mare to get an approved score that day 3) she's in the Main Mare Book 4)i need something taller 5)she has a great personality and other wonderful traits to pass on to her offspring.

so as long as there are valid reasons for breeding and you know you can keep the foal and can give it the right care then its fine.

running_ Tiny running_

<small>[ February 06, 2004, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: bay_blnd jmpr07 ]</small>

[RubySlipper]

There are also alot of argument against the "backyard" breeder, I am not saying that that is what you are.
This country does not put enough focus on mares, all everyone thinks about is breeding to a nice stallion.
I have been researching the Dutch Warmblood breed and the KWPN (I am thinking about buying an imported KWPN filly, I am going to see her as soon as her owner is back from a horse shopping trip in Holland) and I think out of all the registries they have the best system. They put put a lot of focus on the mare line, and how well the mare has both performed and reproduced. Mares have to go through an inspection process which is harder than all other registries (there stallion approval is also the hardest out of all registries that is why you see so many Dutch stallions that are approved Oldenburg for breeding and not with the KWPN)
I think that people have to be responible when they breed and make sure they are breeding quality to quality.
There is a really good article in Hunter and Sport Horse magazine about this topic called "How good are we"
The idea in the US of getting cheap mares to breed is why we do not produce horses that are as good quality as the Europeans do. When you buy a broodmare (WB) you should plan on spending a decent amout of money, a well bred wb mare even if unsound to ride due to an injury should be worth at least something for the bloodlines alone if she comes from a good mare line, had a good performance record before her injury and is a proven broodmare that produces quality foals IMO she should be worth at least $8,000.
If you want to breed WB be one of the people who raises the standard of what ever breed you choose in this country not one who breeds inferior horses to the Europeans.
There are so many breeders in this country yet the USET has allmost no horses cometing on an international level in dressage or Jumpers that were bred in the US.
Combined training is the only dicipline that we are producing our own international competitors.
I am sorry that this so long and I might sound very rude but this is reality we are not yet meeting the standards of the Europeans and it is because there are too many "cheap" breeders who don't want to spend the money to buy quality mares.

[Super_Trooper]

We will have quality CSH mares, thats for sure. We plan to breed for jumper and dressage.

[Sandra-A1]

Rubyslipper...Not meaning to sound argumentative, but I have to disagree with you on some things.
I must confess that I do get irritated when I see someone compairing the USA breeders to those in Europe.
First let me say that I do agree that any mare or stallion owner should not take breeding lightly. Serious consideration should be given before any foal is even produced. The #1 consideration should be the foal and the life that is facing it.
Backyard breeders are everywhere and in every country.
The goal of anyone breeding a horse should be to produce the best possible foal from the mating and if you are a breeder in the business one of your goals should also be to improve the breed.
While this is ideal it is not always the case.
The USA is not the only country that produces less than desirable horses on occasion.
I do not think that the European breeders are not the know-all, do-all breeders either. They too have people who produce less than perfect horses just as often as here.
I actually feel that there are some very fine horses being produced right here in the good old U.S. of A. There are people from all over the world coming here to buy American-bred horses...and I am not just thinking of American Quarter Horses either!
As for there being no horses available for the USET I can understand why. If I had a talented horse who was winning for me on the show circuit why would I want to take it away from my professional trainer who, by the way, has worked hard and brought the horse to this level, away from my rider, or even me if I was showing it, off the circuit where it is winning titles and money and turn it over to the USET? I know I sure would not want to do it. There are a lot of owners who feel the same way as I do.
The Olympics happen every few years, the show season is every year. The majority of people cannot tell you what horse and rider won what at the last Olympics, but can tell you what horse won the big title in their favorite event at their breed's favorite show.
The majority of the horse owners in the USA are interested in specialization, but it is in a breed and events other than those featured in the Olympics. Does that mean we have more inferior horses here than in Europe?...nope we just have different Equine related interests and breed according to those interests.

<small>[ February 06, 2004, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: Sandra-A1 ]</small>

[Dawn]

I've never seen anyone on here say anything to anyone that was breeding responsibly.

[Blistering Winds]

I agree on the mare/stallion issue. People really need to look at the mares too.

Biggest reason you hear more about the US is because the US is more in the media. Their livestock, horses, people, etc. I never hear about Venezuela, Chili, Austrailia, Spain, Portugal. But EVERYONE knows about the US and what goes on.

Many of us don't "jump" on people about breeding. We tell them to ask themselves questions and determine if it is RIGHT to breed their horse.

Those that say, My mare will make a GReat mom, or she longs for a baby' are the ones I have issues with.

[horse_crazy]

Congratulations on your going into breeding! We breed Quarter Horses, its really a joy to have foals and raise them. And then if you sell, to see them go off and see the joy on the new owners face becasue they are so excited about there horse! Breeding is a great experience!

[RubySlipper]

Sandra-
first of all the riders who compete internationally and represent the USET at the World Cup and Olympics compete on their own horses or horses that are owned by clients of theirs or sponsors of theirs. The horses are not given to the USET. A horse and rider combination qualify for these events not the riders alone.
Second when I wrote what I did I was talking specifically about WB because that is what Super Trooper was talking about breeding. I know that American Quarter horses are sold all over the world, but that is not the breed she is talking about.
And when talking about breeding WB you have to compare them to the Europeans because that is where they originated, just like i am sure 1/4 breeders in Europe compare their horses and their breeding program to the one in the United States.
When you are talking about breeding horses for dressage and Jumping it is a fact that the Europeans have been producing superior horses, so why not learn from them and try to improve our breeding in the US and the only way to do that is to compare what we are doing to what they are doing.
They are obviosly doing something right becuase their horses are dominating international Jumper circuit. Also if you do go to a lot of the big "AA" hunter/jumper shows you will see so many imported horses competing.
If we fallow their lead and breed qulity to quality than less people will hopefully feel the need to import their next "A" show horse and buy horses here.

[crazi4horses]

i didnt read all the posts(sorry) but my opinion on breeding is that if you have a reason to breed them and ur not just breeding to say that ur breeding its fine..

you also have to be responsible about it.

congrats on the warmblood breeding!! Warmbloods are my fav and i KNO someone will probably bite my head off for this but arabs are one of my least favs and i think im getting a horse thats ½ arab...lol...