[Spotted Mustang]

Anyone who puts a stallion and a mare together and gets a foal is technically a breeder.

However, there is a huge difference between a good breeder, a bad breeder, a commercial breeder, and all the other kinds of breeders out there.

Oh, and I have not technically "worked" for a breeder, but I have volunteered and helped out during breeding season several times. I have been there for foaling, handled the babies, and helped with the mares. I just have never been paid to do it.

[hjackma51982]

Originally Posted by Tymacs Girl

I voted for the second question, but didn't find an answer that satisfied my opinion as what a breeder is. Just because a person owns a stallion, or mare, does not deem them a breeder. I only say this because there are so many "back yard breeder" who just breed to breed. No reasoning behind it, they just do it because they just want a foal. And in most cases like that, the stallion and/or mare are junk.

A breeder is someone who takes in account the breed of horse they are trying to breed. Someone who breeds animals that do that certain breed justice. Brings offspring into the world by stallions that are worthy of breeding, and are out of mares that are worthy for breeding as well. I also believe a breeder is someone who takes account and responsibility for what they are doing. And their reasoning for breeding is not "because they want to raise and keep a foal". They take honor and pride in what they do, and when they have a foal come into this world they know it is of quality.

Just because a horse has a penis, doesn't mean you have to breed him. Just because a mare has a vagina, doesn't mean she needs to have a baby. There are so many horses that are not of the quality that I would deam good enough to breed. But so many of those animals are bred and in disregard of what they might create, and the person who bred it is dumbfoundedly suprised that their foal isn't what they expected.

Breeding is knowlege, experience, and the know-how, of blood lines, confirmation, and horses in general. They know what to look for in a stud that will compliment a mare. And they know what mare will do their stud justice when that baby is on the ground. A true breeder doesn't breed for color,or for a cute baby they can coddle and say they'll keep forever, but for excellence. They breed to make sure that breed is getting its due justice.

The knowlege of breeding cannot be read about, or heard about. It has to be experienced and learned. Not passed on by word of mouth.
Ok. I'm done.*Gets off soap box*

-Sam

thank you for saving me from my carpal tunnels
100% agreed

[Spotted Mustang]

Technically the definition of a breeder is "a person who breeds animals or plants".

You do not have to be a good at breeding to be a breeder unfortunately.

I honestly wish more registries would require a license to breed. I do not mean you have to have a ton of land, or a limit to who and what you can breed, or anything like that.

I simply think you should have to pass a test that contains basic information on the breed and breeding in general. And I think if you are not a licensed, registered breeder with your registry/association, I think your foals should not be able to be registered. I think you should know about the process of breeding, and the standards and purpose of your breed before you put any foals on the ground.

And for those that buy foals when they are young, I think they should be able to register their horses as long as the person that is actually responsible for the mare being covered is a registered breeder.

[Rae]

A breeder, to me, is someone who breeds horses, year after year. If I breed ONE of my mares just ONCE, I'm not a breeder. I consider it an occupation or way of life, not a one-time thing.

[Aussiesnapps]

a breeder is anyone who owns a horse and breeds it. Now being a responsible breeder is completely different.

I have a mare that was bred once and i will someday possible breed her and her filly but only after much planing and consideration of bloodlines, conformation, purpose for the foal(s), and only if I feel this foal can be an asset to the breed. Not out to breed for the sake of having babies around.

[countryacres]

I voted for all 3 on the first question.

On the seond I didn't vote. I have 2 mares. 1 of which I have bred in the past. But I neither are bred now and I have no interest in breeding them.

And agree with what has been said about a good breeder and just a breeder.

[doublebarr]

IMO - a breeder is someone who has a business/future plan that includes the animals as part of their income.

Anyone else breeding is "just" putting their toe in without worrying about how deep the water is.

[Smoke N Lace]

Originally Posted by Rae

A breeder, to me, is someone who breeds horses, year after year. If I breed ONE of my mares just ONCE, I'm not a breeder. I consider it an occupation or way of life, not a one-time thing.

I agree with this. I don't consider someone who occasionally raises a foal a breeder. I believe there are numbers involved and there has to be a "history" before someone can be properly called a breeder.