Thanks so much for the responses so far. I am in 100% agreement that a trained horse will sell. That is a non issue with me. Trained horses sell, which is what we have based our program off of.
My issue right now is, in order to get those well trained, safe, sane horses, you have to have breeders to raise those foals, which are getting fewer and fewer. Our farm is currently down to 10 haflingers. We have our stallion, two broodmares, a four year old mare, three two year olds, and three yearlings with two foals coming. Our plan has been to be able to raise our youngsters up, as we are the breeders. It was not to sell them as babies, but if they were purchased, that is alright. In order to do that, we had to sell our trained horses, which we did. But, by the time these babies are the magic age of 4 or older, there is so much money involved in them, we can't sell them for a 'reasonable' price that the trail/family people want, because that is a lot of time, and money involved. Many people (us included) head to the sales, buy a green broke horse, put the time, show miles etc on it, and then sell it and make money. But, if there aren't any breeders, where are we going to get those horses?
And, if you are running as a business, as most breeders do, you have to show a profit sometime. If you are just having fun, have other sources of income, or other breeds of horses, and don't operate as a business, it doesn't matter, you can lose as much money as you want.
So, just questions I am posing and I agree with what everyone is saying. I am just concerned that in 3-5 years with people not breeding, and raising up the foals, that there will perhaps be a shortage of those well trained ready to go 'reasonable' Haflingers.
Jacque in Ohio
www.hfbhaflingers.com
Woodward Performance Haflingers
> I think that those who stick with the good bloodlines will be fine no
> matter what breed of horse you like ...
> the buyers are out there
> but now the breeders have to do more to sell their offspring
> they have to be more polished
> and more reasonable
> and be willing to hold onto and train those foals up to a rideable age ...
> it use to be that you could have foals and they were so darn cute they
> would sell right off the mare at weaning time
> but now the buyers want to get something more for their money they want
> the horse already trained and so that means long term commitment from the
> breeders .... it means get a trainer to live at your barn and be willing to
> show all ages of the horses and be willing to have the horses long term not
> just for a year or so ..
>
> the real horseman will survive and the wannabe's will drop by the wayside.
>
> It means having to spend the money and hours and trips down the road to
> show to get sales ...
> it means no fast quick bucks to be made
> but steady sure and solid horses still bring a good price ... I have no
> doubt that the haflinger will do just fine
> and it might take a few years to adjust
> but there will be some nice foals
> to be raised up
> if the breeders are willing to put in the time and training they will get
> new buyers ... so don't worry good horses always bring good money.
>
> Peggy in eastern Wash.
> who is fitting up a very cute yearling QH palomino colt that is a son of
> my QH stallion Physical Te who is now 25 and this yearling colt is
> catching the eye of some serious QH folks that are looking to buy ... so listen
> up , there are still folks wanting to get into horses so don't worry the
> buyers are still out there ...
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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