01/26/2024
(Not my writing, but needs to be shared)
What should you price your foal at?
We’ve all heard the calculation of stud fee x 3. I’m gonna call bull…. on that.
Let’s look at the math and some different scenarios.
For easy math to start with, let’s look at a stud fee of $1000. According to that rule that should price your foal at $3000.
Vet fees to get bred
Chute fees $295-$600
Shipping fees $150 and more
Ultrasounds $35 and counting
Shots $30 and counting
AI $85
That’s counting that she catches on the first go. To account all scenarios of rebreed, multiple ultrasounds, and the check up, we will put a average cost of $1,000.
Our cost is now $2,000, leaving us with only $1,000 to care for the mare and foal for the 11 months of gestation and 6 months till weaning.
Cost of feeding a broodmare
Coastal
900 lbs round bale $100-150
Gestation - 25lbs/day - $935-1,375 (11 months)
Mare and foal - 30lbs/day - $600-$900 (6 months)
Coastal hay is not enough to sustain them, therefore a grain or alfalfa need to be added. Depending on the amount one feeds, this will $55-150/month
Alfalfa hay $410/ton
11 months gestation - $1540
Mare & foal 6 months - $1,000
To feed your broodmare and foal, it will cost you approximately $2500.
You also had to purchase the broodmare. I believe in mare power.
Yes you can buy cheaper, but for a good quality foal, a broodmare that is well put together, good papers will often start at a minimum of $5000. For easy math again, let’s assume you get 10 foals out of that mare. The mare will cost you $500/per foal to pay back the purchase price.
Now if you want a money earner and proven producer, you better look at $30k and more.
If you purchased a broodmare for $5k, your foal is costing you $4000 +stud fee.
We have not even accounted for the land the horse needs to be on. The fuel to get feed and haul to the vet. The truck and trailer, purchase, wear and tear, tires, insurance etc.
We have not allocated any $ for your time or employees. We also have not accounted for any facilities to keep your mare and foal,
Some will say, I’ll just breed to top stallion then and x3 and get my money back, but unfortunately that only works if you have the mare power to back it up. Refer back to earlier what proven producers go for. Don’t believe me, look into the Bloodstock sales. Which at that point, better get them insured too. And if you are lucky to get 10 foals out of one broodmare(example of $30k purchase price), the mare will cost at least $3k per foal + insurance of mare and foal which is 3% of their value.
Also not included in cost is bad luck.
So next time someone tells you I am not paying that much for a foal, just smile and move on. Or get them to read this.
