Wow....I'd say we sure do get in deeper as we go, huh? My feelings about some of this is quit honestly, So. Other posts regarding this subject at times stir my emotions and make a much bigger response. However, we are yet left with the same ole question....where are our haflinger breeders going and how do we keep moving forward with progress...not recession? I know we get off at times about other breeds and what they are doing or not doing. But don't forget that each and everyone of us on this chat are here for the same reason(s)! HAFLINGERS! They have brought us together and are what holds us together even throughout our agreeing to disagree times. So with that in mind I would like to ask everyone to keep that in your hearts and minds as you write and read what others have wrote.
I too understand the "over-population" and yes, I'm quit good at math. However, if everyone just quits breeding, everything, then what? Or how about this....you folks that have such big ideas against breeders that are being mindful, I have a serious question for you. Why than, if you seriously believe there are so many free, unwanted, not good for society horses out there in the world, why are you just sitting here? Reading....Writing comments....Stand up! If you want to write..than write ideas..as comments generally don't have much affect. Are you the same folks that buy these unwanted critters, do you offer to feed them, doctor them, nurse them to health, train or retrain them, and all that goes with that? I know there are good "deals" here and there. I am not nieve. However, most of these unwanted horses I see, have a whole lot wrong with them too. They are either well spent in age, have huge costly health issues, are unproperly trained and handeled, and so forth. So, if you folks are real about your concerns...than do something about it. Do you really want to help the breed? Or you just want to complain.
OK, well, that might have sparked a little fire in some of you, if so, thats the intent. However, I do not know of many folks that want to do this. To go buy, or get that unwanted spent horse that is 30 and crippled is not what most folks want, however, many of those horses in that catagory are how the breed as a whole is getting labeled. I do say that with sincerity. I do breed. You bet I do. I have not shut down the whole operation here just to appease folks that think it is ludicris. What is ludicris however, is that people that have bred, have owned, currently have, ect. are wanting to just bail out an leave someone else to blame for what they or cannot do. Many of these unwanted horses are horses that need to be put down in todays economy, not to say there aren't good folks to care for some of these types of horses, but the fact is that our laws have been changed by people that don't know or understand the true meaning of caring for these horses. Our slaughter houses have diminished, the numbers have then increased, however....here we are. Take on the responsibility if you dare to go get these horses...fix them, put them down, whatever it is they need. Then come back and chat a while. However, as some of you are peering down the side of your nose as you read this, remember this, if ANY of those horses are horses from my farm, you'd better be the first to call me!
You ask why do I continue to breed I know. But here is the facts. While many of you have huge issues selling your horses, or do not want to raise them, or whatever the case may be, here at Rivervalley striving for the best is what we do, guaranteeing our horses and customers success is also what we do, even when the guarantee is out-dated, we offer to buy back our horses. Honestly I don't phone calls wanting us to buy back our horses, however, I do get phone calls wanting to buy our horses, and many times have called clients that have bought horses from us and tried to buy them back or tried see if they wanted to sell them as I had someone else looking for just what they have and guess what? Nobody ever wants to sell me my horses back for some reason. Even when clients are having a rough spell, as one of mine is right now....do you know that I am boarding my horse, free, while this particular person gets their personal life sorted out. I have offered to take the horse back, and I got not just a no, but heck no! So, that is another reason why I continue to breed here. I did indeed cut back, however, I will not cut off my nose to spite my face.
And, those of you wondering....I have owned many horses that needed rehabilitating. Some turned out great...a few didn't make it I am sad to say. But I do put the effort out there. I do know the amount of work that involves and the heart ache that can occur. However, I do feel that if you can not take care of your horses, and you can't find someone who will, then it is your responsibility to take the next step if needed. Now, I am not a horse killer. Those of you that know me know I am a very soft hearted person who believes in love, care, miracles, and doing whatever I can to help my horses through things. But the facts are simple I know. This is doing what is right in my mind and it is also in my mind that when I see all these unwanted horses, I want to call these owners up and tell them to take responsibility for what they have!
If you think me breeding my horses is bad right now, so be it. But until I don't have folks wanting my horses, or I can know longer do it finacially or physically, I will keep on keeping on. I love this breed too much to let a few dictate what I should or should not do! I will breed what I want for a haflinger....something I like, and I am sure that as the future is based on the past, my phone will still ring!
Just my FYI for the day....
Sincerely,
Dawn
Rivervalley Ranch
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, K Garriott <kagarriott@...> wrote:
>
>   No way the glut of unwanted horses is her fault at all. However...for ANY of us to add to it is just about criminal under the current circumstances. Are people just not getting it? We have no viable way to deal with the already unmanageable excesses, and the well funded AR groups are doing all they can to choke off what little outlet is left as well.
>
> Â
>   Do you all not read what the industry experts are saying? the sad but very real phenomena that is upon us all? Beside the fact that there is no longer any viable place to take the culls, cripples, and rogues we now have the baby boomer generation reaching the age of 60 to the tune of about 7,000 -10,000 A DAY! Our generation is THREE times the size of the up and coming generation, and we have been by far the largest segment of the horse owning population. We are fast getting too old to want to own horses, and even starting to die off. Is anyone here good at math?
> Â
>   Then there is this...the much smaller ( approx 1/3 the size) up and coming generation is far more interested in riding a horse ( and even cleaning its stall) via a video game rather than actually owning a real live, pooping horse. Childhood obesity is on a frightening rise as a result, as is juvenile diabetes and other obesity related problems. Are these the kids you think your going to be raising horses for???? What big demand for more horses than we currently have do any of you see for the next 30 or so years? Please share if you do, because I don't see a hint of one.
> Â
>   Every breeder has contributed to this current mess. The much fewer but large scale breeder as well as the millions of back yard breeders. I'm not laying any blame here, I don't think anyone thought that we would ever see dumped, abandoned, free, and for all practical purposes worthless horses. We used to always have a bottom dollar value, but that's just not so anymore.
> Â
>  I did not read the persons post about Jennifer so much as a personal attack on her par say,as much as an attack on her idea of producing cross-breds to register in yet another obscure registry. Â
> Â
> Â Karen G www.princesscarriage.com
>
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