Stud.

[Love My Magick]

So a family friend called me about some gossip on two horses that live down the street from her. She had heard that the two horses were for sale. They're in pretty bad shape and need some serious work, but he only wanted $100 for both. She wanted me to come have a look and see what they may be worth.

So I did.

We went to the guys house to look at the horses and find out the details. (The gossip wasn't from the most relieable of sources) Though not THAT cheap, it was close. He wants $150 american dollars each. Dirt cheap.

However, only one is worth it.

There's a three year old and it's sire, both studs. When I first saw the three year old, we thought someone had switched horses. He said he was three, but he barely looked a year old. His teeth looked like he didn't even have all of his milkers yet, because the side ones were soo small. However, with further studying, you could tell that the two in front WERE in fact adult teeth. He's probably about 9 hands, if even that, and his knees hadn't even begun to close. AT THREE YEARS OLD!! We could tell he would be nothing but a pasture pet, a company critter.

However, it's sire, who's nine, has some serious, SERIOUS potential. Easily worth atleast $500. (Around here, unpapered horses are really cheep... Dunno about where ya'll are) Plus he's only halter broke, and roughly that. I'm out of town, but when I get back I'm really thinking about bringing him home.

But here's the thing,

I have a three year old paint filly. Almost four. I don't mind if she becomes pregnant (I'll have my hands full with this guy anyway, and she's already broke) but I really don't know that much about safe breeding ages or not. I know they get pregnant younger than that in the wild, I just don't want to put my Baby in danger, ya know? I mean, we have a reliable vet and I'm willing to take care of it all financially and physically, I'm just not that familiar with breeding.

I really want to bring this guy home, I just wanted to see what ya'll thought.

______________________________

Just incase ya'll were wondering, here's the story behind the horses in general.

Apparently, they moved in about three years ago, when the foal was tiny. (The people who are selling the horses, not our friends) When they bought the place, the previous owners asked if they could keep the three horses there temporarily. (The foal's dam was there as well) Well, they never came back... Or called... Or tried to get in touch with them at all.

So since then, the horses have never been fed; luckily they're on a nice pasture, and they have chubby grass bellies. Except the young'un. He's thinner than daddy.

I'm really interested in this horse. Any input?

[Lindsay* . The Perfect Fit .]

I would NOT NOT NOT breed a 3 year old.

First of all, I'm totally against "backyard breeding". THere are way to many homeless horses and making more (ESPECIALLY if they're a [not carefully made] mixed breed) is ridiculous. I'm all for breeding for quality.

Second, three years old is too young for a horse in captivity to have a foal. They're a baby themselves in my eyes.

Make sure the Stud isnt in a pasture with or next to the mare, and make sure he cant break out to her. You have no idea what a stallion will do to get with a mare who is in heat.

But props to you for buying a horse thats in the need of help.

[Love My Magick]

*nods* This is what I thought, and I've already tried to contact our vet (or another local one if they can't do it) to find out about gelding. I do have a couple of places where I MIGHT be able to keep him. I know our neighbor's fence wouldn't keep them apart.

I don't mind back yard breeding as long as I know the foal would have a permanant home, and I know it would with me. I raised Baby, my paint, and anything that came out of her would be priceless in my eyes.

However, I wasn't planning on intentionally breeding them, I just wanted to get some input on IF it happened.

Thank you for your help! :-) I'll start talking to some people about a pasture farther away, but still easily accessible. I have one in mind...

Thanks again!

[Candace ♥'s Mitt-nacht]

you also have to remember that if you breed your mare, and you have yoru own stud, that you will then have THREE horses to take care of and pay for, and that would cost quite a lot more than even just two horses. thats one of the reasons i wouldn't breed. two horses can be enough to handle as it is.
so just think about that also. the cost of taking care of three horses if you do end up breeding your mare in the future with this stud, although i would reccomend getting him gelded as its not really fair to the horse to keep him a stallion if he isn't used for breeding. if he's still a stud, he'll have to be kept alone, and he could be potential quite tempermental in a bad way, although they aren't all like that..

[Love My Magick]

*nods* As I said, I've already tried to get in contact with some local vets to price range getting him gelded. I'm out of town and we woulnd't be moving him for a couple of weeks anyway. Breeding was never an intention, just a possibility. :-) Thank ya'll so much though. My parents didn't want to keep a stud, and we wouldn have gotten him gelded shortly anyways.

It's just a matter of when and where.

I also contacted a local horse rescue (Lone Star Equine Rescue, or LSER who's partners with Habitat For Horses. You can see their page at lser.org) on the three year old. They're going to send someone to investigate it asap.

[Candace ♥'s Mitt-nacht]

ya. its good your getting him gelded
i'm glad your taking him in also good for you

[Love My Magick]

*smiles* Thanks