12/06/2024
Yes! šš»
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Beloved are the broodmares. As a tiny Breeder of what I consider high quality PRE horses in a state where ranch horses dominate the landscape. I base much of my dreams on the belief in the mares I have chosen as the backbone of my PROGRAM ( I despise that word PROGRAM).
As a small breeder, I am fortunate to have a deep connection with each of our mares. I have what I believe are some of the best using and versatile horses in the industry. Why do I say this?? Because they arenāt just brood mares or as one person called them ( CASH COWS ) these girls are our riding companions, I use these horses for my recreation to ride on trail, parades, work cattle, enjoy workshops and clinics on these mares they are my world and my dreams that I often share with others. Not only are they capable of producing wonderful minded babies, but they carry us on many amazing adventures and journeys, often making lasting impacts on those who meet them.
If anything in the world of breeding horses the BREEDER runs at a loss especially if it is a small operation. How this may be one may ask?? Cost of high quality forage, regular maintenance, ferrier, medical needs, de worm vaccination, supplements to support the horses that are working and growing a baby. Other costs stud fee, collection, shipping, Insemination, ultrasound ( many). Most small breeders have all these costs if they donāt own their own high quality stallion that can cross on the mares they have and better the next generation. On average just to get a mare pregnant a breeder is spending $3,500-$4,500. Then the cost of foaling and registration. With ANCCE you have the inscription, color testing and paying an approved vet to perform the inscription procedure. You are looking at $6,000 before weaning of the foal not including feed time training etc.. . Forget the money invested, you have love and energy, and lots of knowledge you bestow on this creature you have raised with love and the knowledge you have gained as a horseman thousands of dollars in education, lessons and hardships, countless years of applied hands on knowledge that canāt be replaced with a YouTube video to produce the best representation of your dream to share with others, in hope they can enjoy and grow with each-other.
Many of the greatest horses out there are in average homes. They are pets and riding companions for people who love and cherish their riding companion as they work through their journey and towards goals together. Many horses arenāt exhibited all over the country as it may not be in the budget of the breeder. Many of those mares that are part of the Big stud farms producing 50 + foals a year arenāt ridden or even broke to ride nor are loved on or brushed even weekly or tested in real world situations, the people breeding them have no knowledge of skill or ability. There are but a few of these large stud farms where mares are treated well and proven under saddle.
My belief as an ethical and very passionate breeder of Quality PRE horses is that we have a specific type, disposition, conformation and movement of horse we are wanting to produce, using bloodlines I have learned to love for their mind, soundness and athleticism that thrive in the environment we have a focus on.
I have had foals I have sold at weaning and horses I have grown and sold as adults. I am now in my 4th generation from my foundation stock and couldnāt be more proud of where I have come in some pretty rough times and people who have slandered me. I know what I have in my foals, I know the Family, I have worked with used them for work and ridden them, my cornerstone horse Fiesta XXIII was only started under saddle at 13 yrs old and man what a dream was she to start, her daughter Fabula I got at 8 yrs old and again started her to ride, also not a hiccup or an issue in her time with me like both read the book on how to do everything.
My first lameness I have ever experience was 6/3/24 and that is a stone bruise, is that considered a lameness. Yes, I would say but a temporary one and per the vets and Ferriers a very common one this time of year. All of our horses are kept barefoot year round and I have not even one time has an issue with soundness body or mind.
It seems in the world of horses, people are quick to blame others for issues that are caused by the circumstances and the handler of the animal. People look for problems until something is found.
When approached by people looking at my horses, have gotten to a point that it isnāt just a sale. It becomes a friendship it gets personal. I will not just sell to the first available person who has the $$$ I will look at what is a good fit, can the horse I am selling benefit and care for the person In the same way the person will care for the horse? Unfortunately for the breeder there is little protection for us other than the knowledge of the time and the personal close interaction with the foals we create. We know the family of horses and their history. These foals are what dreams are made of for the breeder, it is the buyer who takes a part of each dream and helps it mature.
In the next few years we will have foals on the ground with the help of Nate to re build something I was planning on walking away from. I know I am not the only small breeder of these magnificent horses that has been on the fence weather to continue or not. Competing with operations and the impersonal farms producing masses of foals for the purpose of mass sales. It is hard when someone says (( I CAN GET THE SAME THING FOR CHEAPER XYZ)) No, no you canāt. It is in the details and the foundation. A horse can be the same color and age but nothing compares to a devoted breeder, horseman or woman who has had a hand in every aspect of the animal from before conception. I donāt just breed them, I ride them and use them, they are my family each foal is a part of me.
This is something that I have been feeling deep with in me and had to share as I know and feel others have had their flame lesson for their reasons, many similar reasons. To those people thank you for the support, if you need support I am a call away, many people I donāt know have reached out and shared stories and support, we have learned to nurture each-other and are essentially extended family as we work tirelessly to make our dreams come true through these incredible creatures.
I will say thank you to Canta Rana Ranch, Carlos Mondragon, Sabas Trujillo, and Felix Prieto at Rancho el Marengo for helping me take steps up the ladder and teaching me about this magnificent breed of horse
~ Cara Hamer
