I am curious how some determine a breeding fee for their Jr stallions? I am putting together a contract and fee structure for next year and am wanting to get it ironed out in the next couple months. 

Also to those that are breeding mares, what catches your attention first? Bloodlines, incentives, fee, conformation....?

It seems that the stallion's performance should come into play, however there are a lot of stallions that have no performance history that have produced awesome get. 

Looking for some imput :)

Thank you!

Years ago I was in your shoes, what I learned is that you about have to have some of your own mares to put under your boy at first. It is a pretty rough road till you get some of his Get out and performing. People will tell you how much they love your boy and then generally go with something proven. With that being said---stud fee is really based on the market, you can set it wherever you want and still make deals to people. Remember though, stud fee somewhat dictates what the resulting foals are worth--so if you advertise a $500 stud fee--it makes the foals worth less.

Also with a JR stud, if you arent getting $1000+ you are losing money. 

You know I love me a pedigree first. That's what will catch my attention,  then I look. It's not the pedigree in the end that will get me, I want it all conformation, temperament, produce, accomplishments,  but the first thing that makes me look twice is the pedigree. 

As far as the fee, I think for the first 3 years at stud, you should make really really good deals for proven mares and state that in your advertising. The mares can make or break you. Get the best you can.

It's not easy proving a stud and it sure isn't cheap. I think to prove one, it takes financial sacrifice for a few years, unless he's a world champion, bad to the bone, etc. ..

Working on a group of nice mares for next year :) and the contract. His bloodlines fit the current market and he's handsome with a great mind. His sire has produced some nice winners and his dam is bred right. I figure if nothing else, he'll be a great gelding lol!

He sounds nice, would love to see a picture of him. I'm not into breeding so not looking to breed just like to see the horse

I might be biased, but I think he's pretty handsome

I agree with your biased opinion. LOL. He looks nice

Thank you!

He's beautiful. He has an old-style QH head, which I happen to like.

theres are a lot of good studs out there for a cheap fee. 

Things that add value to your fee:

Incentives - just about a must

being a money earner himself 

pedigree - outcross might help

Dam is a producer along with sire success

not being palomino - something to consider

conformation

Thank you for the input :) 

Luckily several of those are checked off, and his color has been a highlight rather than a low light. 

Very Handsome fella!!! Good luck with him and may you get awesome babys down the road that will put him on the map of great stallions for ya..

Thank you!! Should get some cooking next year :)

Although mare owners make me so crazy I try not to have outside mares anymore, there was a time when I did.

I particularily wanted to stress this excellent point about the amount of your stud fee affecting the perspection of  his foals' value.  It will even affect what you can insure them for - so it's a real thing.

Ideally, you'll consider all the things that others have pointed out to arrive at a reasonable number.

But, here's my cranky old woman perspective.  How much money do I have to have to breed my beloved stud to a dink mare with an annoying owner?  Then discounts for owners or mares I really like. 

I am getting more and more up to speed on the mare side lol! It's going to be a learning process.....I may end up with my own mares one day :)

This is my second breeding season standing our JR Stallion.  We bought him in March last year.  We did 1250 on him.   I felt like it wasn't a super low price point or super high.  The ones that are under 1000 I have no idea how they make any sort of money! We bought 3 mares to breed and had a lot of interset in him from others!  We didn't ship a lot of swimmers last year, which is ok!  This year we have had so much interest in him, it is unreal! This breeding season I uped stud fee to 1500 LFG and shipping and collection inculded.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out! And a picture of my boy for good measure!

Thank you for the info :) he is beautiful! 

I just may reach out, I am trying to gather as much knowledge as I can. So far it's going smoothly, but in the spring will tell lol!!

First let me say your horse is beautiful. 

Second after years for standing stallions I know wouldn't even think about breeding for less than $1000 stud fee. It's just not worth your time & risk to your stallion. As of this last spring we stopped breeding to outside mares. Talk to a couple of people who stand stallions to outside mares and see if it's really something you want to do, if so sit down and figure what you think your stallion is worth stud fee wise then figure in your time and any other cost you will have, 

Good luck whatever you decide