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Re: [RC] The only way to afford... - Sisu West Ranch"...let's say it's cost me R50 000 to get to that stage (approximately). I'd bepaying about R80k to R100k for a horse of similar quality..." The economics do not look that different than here in MT. The kicker is that when one purchases a 5 yr old vet checked gelding you always get a 5 yr old vet checked gelding. If you breed half the time you get a mare, and sometimes the horse is not suitable for what you want to do. I would guess that at least about half and 1/4 of breedings are not what one would have paid R80 to R100 for. This ups the cost of growing your own to R67 K to R75 K. and we have not even discounted for the sex issue. A point to also consider is what value is your time. If one charges for the extra time to raise one more horse, even at minimum wage, the cost of a 5 yr old goes up a bunch. If one needs/wants a horse to ride NOW, breeding is not very practical. I can be patient, but waiting 6 years to go on an endurance ride is a long time. Please note: I do know that some folk do not care about the sex, but many want to ride either geldings or mares and thus will be disappointed half the time. Also note: We are breeding our next crop of endurance prospects, but do not consider it to be an economic thing. It is a hobby thing. Wendy was lucky. Her coming 3 yr old appears to be exactly what she bred for. (Except, he may grow taller than she wants.) I have a half Arabian, bay colt, 4 black feet, 15 2 tall, possible small star coming this spring. (The foal will definitely be a half Arabian, beyond this there are no guarantees, which is my point here.) Ed Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower Road Victor, MT 59875 (406) 642-9640 ranch(at)sisuwest(dot)us =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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