> >>> Should breeding horses be a business for profit? There is a reason for some of the old sayings - "Horse Business is the ultimate oxymoron" - "The way to make a small fortune in horses is to start with a large one", etc. Sometimes we just have to accept what is, is and not obsess about what's fair/right. The fact is that breeding of most animals is not a profitable business if done correctly. Yes, there are exceptions to that rule but overall it is done more for love of the breed and self satisfaction. I raised Dobermans for years and believe me - it wasn't profitable, nor did I expect it to be. I am still in touch with many of my buyers, some whose dogs have long been gone. There are animals, where if you get on board at the very beginning, you can make some good money but it's like the old pyramid schemes, the further you get down the pyramid the less likely you are to share the wealth - perfect current example is Alpacas. Their parent club marketing is strong and if you go to their website you could come away believeing that you will make a fortune while living the perfect small farm lifestyle but I know people that have invested a small fortune and are losing their farms - - it's an interesting study.
We just have to understand that every time we put that mare to a stud that we stand to lose quite a bit of money - it's truly a gamble. If you ever want to read a fascinating book about the racing industry there is one about the Rise and Fall of Calumet Farms (that's the sub-title - can't remember the full title). In the racing hey days of the 70's people were paying millions, yes millions, for an unproven weanling or yearling. I can't imagine doing that for something as unsure as the future of a horse. Of course, that's one of the many reasons the bottom fell out of that industry for awhile. So. I think it's silly to debate whether you can make money breeding because it's been proven for decades and decades that you can't - the market won't bear your costs and you might as well decide if you're going to do it that you're doing for your own satisfaction. Laree
