>>>> 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.
That's pretty much as I see it - it's more of a matter of how much I love it and how much I am willing to subsidize the effort - real profit just isn't going to happen if I maintain my standards for vet care, nutrition, etc.. I think all that's up for debate (and even that's not literally so, since the "market" will eventually decide) is whether it's fair to expect the same "commodity prices" within this breed as we see in the other, over-bred breeds, or should we encourage breeders to keep up their standards, while maintaining prices where they don't lose a bundle on even the healthy foals (from uncomplicated pregnancies) they raise. Personally, I think we may be able to find a "sweet spot" in the middle. I've priced my weanlings at $2500 to-date, and honestly, I have about that in them just counting routine vet expenses - as thankfully at least Janice recognized as reasonable. I've been very lucky - I haven't lost a mare or foal, and the only unexpected complication and expense was Landi's plasma transfusion - at least there was a happy ending to that little scare. (I also that know I'll lose money on him should I ever decide to sell him, just because of that one expense...) And, I don't even try to pretend to try to recoup the initial costs of my mares and stallion...and heaven knows, I'll NEVER recoup the cost of my barn, sheds, fences, etc! I've done it so far for the joy of the foals, and for the love of the breed, and no way can I ever expect a penny for the many, many hours I've invested. Hello, my name is Karen, and I'm an Icelandic Horse-aholic... This is my passion, m addiction, but even I have my limits on how much money I'll lose in the name of breeding horses...:) Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
