14/03/2025
WHAT IS THE COST PURCHASING FROM AN ETHICAL BREEDER?
There is a big disparity between people who breed for the love of the horse and those who breed soley for having something to sell.
Whilst the latter will paint it that their horses have received the best upbringing, and they are ‘not breeding for money’ the differences become evident when you start asking questions…
* Before and after conception, is the mare in optimal condition on a constant nutrition plain and given correct daily doses of vitamins and minerals?
* Does she receive scans up to 45 days of pregnancy to ensure she is reproductively healthy not carrying twins?
* Is the mare matched specifically with a stallion so that the resultant progeny is of a high standard in conformation, type and breed standard? Or does one stallion run with a herd of mares with no discretion resulting in horses of different degrees of quality?
* Is the mare at foaling given a ‘private place’ such as a foaling box where she can deliver her foal and is the breeder monitoring her throughout the birth to ensure ‘help’ can be given if needed?
* Is the foal handled correctly from birth, and not rushed so it learns to ‘trust’ people? Or is it handled more at the point of sale often with restraints to make it conform - breaking its spirit and confidence?
* Is the foal kept with its mother for a decent amount of time as in nature (depending on s*x) or is it weaned at an early age for sale?
* Does the foal learn whilst with its mother a variety of circumstances that will ‘set it up for the future’ including being stabled through the seasons, strong winds, hearing the rain on a tin roof, moving around a facility, respect of gates and fencing, being with a variety of different horses, machinery, motorbikes, traffic noise, different weather patterns, other animals…
* Does the foal receive farrier training and trimming from an early age to ensure the ‘right’ start has been given for proper hoof development?
* Does the foal have playmates of its own age to grow up with and plenty of space to explore and run?
* Is the foals nutrition from birth kept on a steady plain without excess sugar and starch so that they never over or under develop?
* Do all the horses have a worming regime and receive vaccinations?
* Does the breeder test foals for genetic defects if they know they have a carrier in their herd? Does the breeder tell the purchaser if they are buying a horse that could be a carrier if they have not tested?
* If the breeder has grey in their herd, do they know if there is a history of melanoma in the pedigree? Does the breeder use testing and common sense to limit melanoma?
* Does the breeder ‘match’ the new owner with the horse ensuring that a level of experience is matched, and the physical needs are met for both parties? Or does the breeder ‘sell to anyone’ who has the money?
* Is the breeder pumping out foal after foal, flooding the market year after year, or do they breed only the number that can be given optimum care?
* Does the breeder offer full paperwork with a reputable studbook that offers an Assessment process so their breeding can be gauged by experts?
* At what age does the breeder start their young horses under saddle?
* What age to breeders breed their mares and stallions?
* Is the breeder each year ‘downsizing’ but still breeding the same amount or more horses?
* These are just ‘some’ of the questions to ask yourself and the breeder…
Absolutely breeders should be able to ask the market value for their stock and be rewarded for their experience, hard work in caring for the animals, training and the quality of what they are producing…
Buying from an ethical breeder will cost more, because the foal has received every aspect of care nutritionally, physically, mentally and the training has been aimed at keeping the horses ‘good’ character. Horses that have had this start in life will have a ‘personality’ and will be confident and respectful as their life so far has been all about ‘building relationships’. They will bond with you more quickly because they want to be your friend; they want to please… because this is all they known.
They will also have a higher market value because the breeder has been prudent and has bred horses with a consistently high quality who have gone to the 'right homes' and achieved what they were bred for.
Please think when you are purchasing a horse if you are rewarding the right type of breeder.
Don’t be caught if the horse is a flashy colour… A good horse is not a bad colour.
Ask yourself, do you want a horse that has never been wrecked in anyway and is full of curiosity and willingness to please? A lifelong partner who has a sound naturally balanced conformation and is genetically clean with a calm nature?
Or do you want one that you may never end up having a good relationship with, or may never ride or reach your training aspirations because of their breeding, their past handling, care or nurture has been compromised or they are just not suitable for you and don't end up developing into what the breeder says they will. Do you want a horse that has shut down mentally because at some stage in its life it was handled with force?
