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?
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.
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.
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.
Karen G www.princesscarriage.com
--- On Mon, 2/15/10, Melissa <WildIrishFarms@comcast.net> wrote:
From: Melissa <WildIrishFarms@comcast.net>
Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: Haflinger Breeders???
To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, February 15, 2010, 7:17 AM
Hello "Friends" or is that a misnomer?
Is it Jennifer's responsibility that there is a glut of unwanted horses across this country? or would it be safe to say it is from the "Breeders" of whatever breed you want to choose, who cover multitudes of mares each year in an effort to produce that one perfect "classified" , "inspected", "keurred", "approved" animal and then dispose of the rest that aren't quite good enough? Perhaps that has slowed some but you better believe it is not the "backyard breeder" who is producing the multitudes. Isn't it interesting to see that a majority of the "Craig'slist" Haflingers for sale, grade or otherwise are in the 6-10 y.o. old range when "Breeders" were mass producing. Why are the prices down on even the premium horses? Because of the excessive breeding ! Whether Arabs, or Quarter Horses or Haflingers. Where do the grade Haflingers come from? Breeder's who don't want to pay registration fees. Supply and demand folks and don't forget the almighty dollar.
Jennifer and many others like her have a passion for what they do and the wherewithall to train them and either keep them or sell them or give them away to a new home. She is right in stating that there will always be breeders who protect the integrity and purity of the breed. Jennifer and others are sharing what this is supposed to be all about. Having fun. Enjoying your horse. If you prefer registered, inspected and classified horses, good for you. Jackie, I admire your program and all you have done for the breed. If you enjoy looking through the ears of a grade low rider who gives you pleasure, good for you too.
I have been on this list for the duration. It blows my mind to see how very complicated many want to make the pleasure of owning one (or ten or however many you have) of these great creatures we are so blessed to have. Once more I realize why I like ponies so much more than people.
Melissa
Pembroke, MA
--- In haflingerfriends@ yahoogroups. com, "Karen" <tkharper@.. .> wrote:
>
> Jennifer,
>
> I didn't say I don't understand your decision. I think I have a very clear understanding of it. What I said was I can't think of a single REASON to do what you propose.
>
> Would you mind enlightening me with some details into all of your research and also your rationale for choosing to breed your Haflinger mares to this particular Gypsy Vanner stallion? What exactly are you hoping to achieve with this cross? There are some serious Haflinger breeders on this list who might want to discuss this with you further. I know I'd like to and I'm not a breeder, just someone who cares a great deal about the Haflinger breed. And the glut of unwanted horses in this country.
>
> I think you have some serious maturing to do in the area of learning about personal responsibility and the consequences of your actions. I sincerely hope you work on that before creating more equine lives. There is value in having respect for others whose wisdom and experience far exceeds yours. You can learn a lot from people like that if you open your mind and sincerely try to learn.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Karen Harper
> Florida
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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