***2008
foals***
A note to all those that have inquired and have yet to inquire
as to "where are our 2008 babies?"
Due to the low market, hay and grain prices, gas prices and the overall problem
of "unwanted horses" out there needing homes, we decided not to breed in 2007 for 2008 foals and in 2008 for 2009 foals.
Yes, we are a small breeder with only 7 mares, and yes, we never breed more then 2 mares each season....but we/I still
feel its my duty as a responsible breeder to try to cut back and to help not add any more horses to an already overwhelmed
market.
We....unlike a lot of 'big' breeders, who have 8-10 or more mares and breed them
every year producing more foals then needed or wanted, and then cry its because of the 'pro-anti-slaughter' people that
they can't sell their horses, or get a decent price for their 'quality' foals....unlike these irresponsible breeders that
lay the blame on others, including us small breeders, whom they claim are the ones who are 'over producing' and glutting the
market with inferior horses....we feel that its our duty to our breed and our love for the equine, to do our part and
cut back. In all my years of breeding, I have always tried to find the best homes for my foals and I have never had a problem
in selling them for what they are worth. Neither have I ever had to have a dispersal sale in the fall to get rid of unwanted
weanlings so that I didn't have to winter them....unlike these 'big' breeding operations that do this every fall...Just
check out the Quarter Horse Journal and you'll see what I mean!
I was on a Yahoo breed group site the other day, a breeder there was bragging
in one post about having 6 of her 8 pregnant mares foaled out and bred back for next year. Then in the next post, she was
complaining of the 'unwanted horse' problem and how it was affecting her sales...and for everyone there to "be sure and sign
the pro-slaughter petition"!
Am I missing something here? Is this not being a hippocrate?
This is called 'greed'!!! plain and simple greed! She is a danger to my breed and
a danger to the horse market that she says is low because of everyone else! It is breeders like her, that hurt all breeds
and overwhelm our market...she is ruining it for all! She should be ashamed and realize its breeders like her that need to
be responsible for all they produce and all they do...or get the hell out of horses and get a real job to support their lazy
butts!
Until this issue of 'unwanted horses' is responsibly met by breeders like her,
there will be a 'unwanted horse' and low market problem for all concerned. Unfortunately, I don't see these 'greedy'
breeders suddenly turning responsible none too soon!
I shall try to do my part and not breed my mares until things are right again.
Let me say, I may be a small breeder, but I have quality horses (check out their pedigree's on the 'Mare's Page')...they are
not 'culls' like breeders like her tell others that us small breeders are breeding...I am proud of my bloodlines and not afraid
to say so. Plus, I don't NEED to follow a pack of unresponsible 'Big Breeders' that refuse to acknowledge that they are
at fault for the present situation, but only to blame others. Also, I do not agree with the big National Breed Clubs
who are pro-slaughter (even tho I belong to two of them), say nothing of the fact that they are run by 'big breeders'....and
only because if slaughter was totally abolished, these clubs would lose precious income in registration and transfer fees
and 'big breeders' would lose a place to dump their 'culls'!!! (again, 'GREED')....I am totally against their ideas...Perhaps
if we respected and took care of our horses the way we should, there wouldn't be any 'unwanted, abused, over-used, lame horses'
to find a place for....I choose to admit that its my fault too, as a breeder, that there is a problem of 'unwanted horses'.
So thats why I'm not breeding my mares for a couple of years, my way of trying to help. Working for a Veterinarian, I
see everyday the horrors of what over breeding does.
Our (the horse world) present problems, are due to mostly over breeding, some
abuse and a hurting economy, but not due to an anti-slaughter issue! Wake up 'Big Breeders'!
I am not afraid to say... I'm pro- anti-slaughter and proud of it!
Breeders....BE RESPONSIBLE! THINK before you breed that mare, stop being so greedy!!!
Be responsible for what you create and bring into this world!!! Innocent animals shouldn't have
to pay for your greed!
Sherriey miller
owner of:
'Whitetail-Hollow Appaloosas & Quarter Horses'
