--- Rachel Jenkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > It seems that if a breeder only made a few thousand a year > on > one Icelandic foal, that would pay for the operation. Maybe our low > cost is because we don't show, trailride nearby, have our own land, > and I do my own training? >
> Maybe I'm missing something, though, since I've never bred > Icelandic > horses before. > > Rachel in E. Ky- "should I be worried?" Maybe I'd be better off nor > knowing... Well since it takes 1 1/2 years from breeding till the foal is born you need to have several mares if you want a foal a year...and we try not to breed so that foals grow up by themselves.... Take into account the cost of the ~stud fee ~Purchasing a Stallion who not only has good characteristics, but one that actually passes them on, fixes any issues that the mares have.... ~feeding the mares and foals, the last month of pregnacy through 6 months you are basically feeding 2 horses, not one. ~supplements ~worming ~floating ~Vet bills ~Cost of the mares for purchase, are they the type of stock you want to breed, that have attributes that are good for your market. ~If you have a Stallion, Extra cost of Fencing, I know my Fencing for My stallion cost more and today I have a big repair to my round pen , which is set in cement with post at every corner, he moved it yesterday when I took 3 Mares off the property to go out to pasture, he bent the post, moved a 60' round pen 2 feet, with 4 rails and it is heavy heavy duty pipe corral.....He was safe and could not get out...but now I have work to do. I can make a little money by breeding because I have access to a 90 acre pasture with rolling hills and wonderful pasture with salt and minerals..it only costs me $300 per horse per year, a bargin on this island...as full feeding costs about %150-$175 per month for 1 horse......plus you haver to take into account your pasture cost, if you bought it, it still costs you money, as does fencing, insurance, and everything.... There is no way I could make thousands off 1 sale if I take into account all the costs....I sell foals at 6 months for $3,500-$4,500...Of course now I am no longer selling foals, we are keeping them and training them ourselves and then will sell riding horses at the age of 5 or 6, only because we have a perfect place to raise them at a reasonable cost..... I figure they help pay for my addiction to this breed, I enjoy them and want other people to be able to experience these horses. Storme ____________________________________________________________________________________ It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/
