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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
   
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Just make sure you put the baby in the safest pen you have and make sure you got a good baby sitter for it. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Red Raider - 2014-12-23 9:22 AM I really wanted to stay off of this one but here I am -- making this post and somewhere out there I have about 3 friends who would be laughing their butts off because I'm going to give you the advice that I myself hated hearing about 5 years ago.
Over the past month or so, I've seen you post about supplements and feeding and conditioning problems on a few of your horses. I've also seen you really excited about your plans to breed two of those mares this spring and have babies hit the ground next year. All of that is great -- everybody can use advice and it's good that you are looking at fixing problems before you have babies hitting the ground because that's a big game changer too in terms of money, time and impact on your horse's health.
A few years ago I was kind of in your position. I had a few horses and had plans to breed one of my mares (which I did) and wanted to have another baby the year after. My good friends sat me down and basically told me to slow things down with my horses. They knew how much I was working in my job and how much work I already had ahead of me with 5 horses at the time. I told them that I was single, had a section of land to run the beasties on and could handle anything money-wise because I'm an attorney and can make some money if I really needed to. They kept on me and I finally agreed to shelve my plans for a few more babies and young ones in my line-up.
I'm now about 5 years out from that time and I'm sooooo glad that I didn't go ahead with my plans for all those young ones. I basically had to make a decision on whether or not I was going to have one good horse -- one that I spent all my time with, trained and really put 100% into -- or have 5 horses that got 20% of my effort because there really is only so much time that you do get to spend with them when they are older.
My Number One man now takes up most of my time. Meanwhile, I basically had to take in 2 others I never planned on owning but did when a friend passed away unexpectedly and now I have 6 out in the pasture. You never know where life is going to take you.
My advice is to honestly ask yourself if this filly is better than the two babies you are planning on having in the Spring and if not, please don't buy her. Save your time, money and effort into having the best 1-2 horses you can possibly have. You only end up with so much to give and every horse deserves the best shot from their owners. Same goes for evaluating the horses you have right now -- is this filly going to take away from the ones already depending on you? If so, evalute what's best for the horses including your future prospects.
^^^ We have fewer horses than I've ever had...but it's been better this way. Being single with 4 head is a lot, been there, did that...... I'd rather have 1 or 2 really nice ones that I can devote lots of time into making tough horses than 2-3 ok ones to haul. Currently I have 1 to haul, it's weird....but the entry fees are sure nicer and I take her pretty much where ever I want without worrying so much about stalls/entries, all the added stuff that makes for a big bill.
Please don't beat yourself up about your mare, I know you did more than a lot of people would've done for her and did the best you could.
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  Queen Boobie 2
Posts: 7521
| Red Raider - 2014-12-23 9:22 AM
I really wanted to stay off of this one but here I am -- making this post and somewhere out there I have about 3 friends who would be laughing their butts off because I'm going to give you the advice that I myself hated hearing about 5 years ago.
Over the past month or so, I've seen you post about supplements and feeding and conditioning problems on a few of your horses. I've also seen you really excited about your plans to breed two of those mares this spring and have babies hit the ground next year. All of that is great -- everybody can use advice and it's good that you are looking at fixing problems before you have babies hitting the ground because that's a big game changer too in terms of money, time and impact on your horse's health.
A few years ago I was kind of in your position. I had a few horses and had plans to breed one of my mares (which I did) and wanted to have another baby the year after. My good friends sat me down and basically told me to slow things down with my horses. They knew how much I was working in my job and how much work I already had ahead of me with 5 horses at the time. I told them that I was single, had a section of land to run the beasties on and could handle anything money-wise because I'm an attorney and can make some money if I really needed to. They kept on me and I finally agreed to shelve my plans for a few more babies and young ones in my line-up.
I'm now about 5 years out from that time and I'm sooooo glad that I didn't go ahead with my plans for all those young ones. I basically had to make a decision on whether or not I was going to have one good horse -- one that I spent all my time with, trained and really put 100% into -- or have 5 horses that got 20% of my effort because there really is only so much time that you do get to spend with them when they are older.
My Number One man now takes up most of my time. Meanwhile, I basically had to take in 2 others I never planned on owning but did when a friend passed away unexpectedly and now I have 6 out in the pasture. You never know where life is going to take you.
My advice is to honestly ask yourself if this filly is better than the two babies you are planning on having in the Spring and if not, please don't buy her. Save your time, money and effort into having the best 1-2 horses you can possibly have. You only end up with so much to give and every horse deserves the best shot from their owners. Same goes for evaluating the horses you have right now -- is this filly going to take away from the ones already depending on you? If so, evalute what's best for the horses including your future prospects.
Really love this post. |
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 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | I didnt realize you had one pass away and I am sorry. With babies the main goal is to keep them alive and healthy and I should have spelled that out. |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | mruggles - 2014-12-23 9:29 AM Three 4 Luck - 2014-12-24 8:26 AM CYA Ranch - 2014-12-23 9:13 AM mruggles - 2014-12-23 8:56 AM its not cheap to feed a baby.......
m ditto.....there's nothing cheap about raising a baby if you do it right. If you aren't going to do it right don't do it at all.
m
Agree. I had mine I "thought" wrapped in bubble wrap. NOT. She's gotten cut three times and will have battle scars. My hubby informed me that she's not to look pretty but to run fast so scars don't matter. |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | Three 4 Luck - 2014-12-23 10:26 AM CYA Ranch - 2014-12-23 9:13 AM mruggles - 2014-12-23 8:56 AM its not cheap to feed a baby.......
m ditto.....there's nothing cheap about raising a baby if you do it right. If you aren't going to do it right don't do it at all.
You mean like this?
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| bennie1 - 2014-12-23 9:42 AM
Red Raider - 2014-12-23 9:22 AM
I really wanted to stay off of this one but here I am -- making this post and somewhere out there I have about 3 friends who would be laughing their butts off because I'm going to give you the advice that I myself hated hearing about 5 years ago.
Over the past month or so, I've seen you post about supplements and feeding and conditioning problems on a few of your horses. I've also seen you really excited about your plans to breed two of those mares this spring and have babies hit the ground next year. All of that is great -- everybody can use advice and it's good that you are looking at fixing problems before you have babies hitting the ground because that's a big game changer too in terms of money, time and impact on your horse's health.
A few years ago I was kind of in your position. I had a few horses and had plans to breed one of my mares (which I did) and wanted to have another baby the year after. My good friends sat me down and basically told me to slow things down with my horses. They knew how much I was working in my job and how much work I already had ahead of me with 5 horses at the time. I told them that I was single, had a section of land to run the beasties on and could handle anything money-wise because I'm an attorney and can make some money if I really needed to. They kept on me and I finally agreed to shelve my plans for a few more babies and young ones in my line-up.
I'm now about 5 years out from that time and I'm sooooo glad that I didn't go ahead with my plans for all those young ones. I basically had to make a decision on whether or not I was going to have one good horse -- one that I spent all my time with, trained and really put 100% into -- or have 5 horses that got 20% of my effort because there really is only so much time that you do get to spend with them when they are older.
My Number One man now takes up most of my time. Meanwhile, I basically had to take in 2 others I never planned on owning but did when a friend passed away unexpectedly and now I have 6 out in the pasture. You never know where life is going to take you.
My advice is to honestly ask yourself if this filly is better than the two babies you are planning on having in the Spring and if not, please don't buy her. Save your time, money and effort into having the best 1-2 horses you can possibly have. You only end up with so much to give and every horse deserves the best shot from their owners. Same goes for evaluating the horses you have right now -- is this filly going to take away from the ones already depending on you? If so, evalute what's best for the horses including your future prospects.
Really love this post.
Thank you so much. Seriously. This means a lot. I never really thought about wether this filly would be nicer than what I'll have next year.
Like you, I feel I have the money to handle this but I also understand that it takes more than money. I spoke with my mom about it and her concern is like you said, time. Do I have the time to put into all of the horses like they deserve?
At the moment I have 1 horse that rides, the other 3 are broodies. I did not originally plan to be stuck with 3 broodies but here I am. My plan was 2. Keep one, sell one. Then someone got in a bin with one that I thought was nice and now I have 3...
I am pouring myself into my 1 (the original) that I am legging up from being off half a year. She is eating it up. She is tired of me already lol. I do want something to give my time to so I can give her enough attention, not clobber her or go to fast to soon legging her up. BUT next year I will be stupid busy with new foals.
Than you for your words and your story. It means a ton |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | or this.........
m
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Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | mruggles - 2014-12-23 11:38 AM or this.........
m
You beat me -  |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Why would you wait another 2 months when you can just take them with you any day of the week?
That sounds like an awful lot of mouths to feed on a limited income...if you're going to do it right. |
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Another thing to consider........Is how much "space" do you have (acres) etc. or do you "board".......Does your mother have horses too? With 1 (rideable) and 3 broodies and (3)babies, you will be up to seven without even adding the weanling. The suggestions of owning one or two GOOD ones are the best. Like Red Raider, years ago, we used to have a bunch of colts (sometimes, 9 or 10 in training) but in the long run, you can only do so much when you work full time and want to show......we downsized to two or three (FOUR at the most).....and hauled them. I don't think that you have sat down and SERIOUSLY looked at the expenses vs. REALITY of having that many horses......we were a two income family and, I will tell you that you are NOT considering the monetary load it will put on you. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Extra safe fencing, excellent grass mix hay, higher protein feed-I like Woodys Futurity Blend, AND a ton of patience and keen sense about teaching right from wrong, this little one is in your hands as to how spoiled they will be when they are grown, "tough love" |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Or this
Just a few of the curve balls my young horses have thrown my way...between $4000-5000 in vet bills represented just in these pics.
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 Toastest with the Mostest
Posts: 5712
Location: That part of Texas | RoaniePonie11 - 2014-12-23 10:29 AM Do I have the time to put into all of the horses like they deserve? At the moment I have 1 horse that rides, the other 3 are broodies. I did not originally plan to be stuck with 3 broodies but here I am. My plan was 2. Keep one, sell one. Then someone got in a bin with one that I thought was nice and now I have 3... I am pouring myself into my 1 (the original) that I am legging up from being off half a year. She is eating it up. She is tired of me already lol. I do want something to give my time to so I can give her enough attention, not clobber her or go to fast to soon legging her up. BUT next year I will be stupid busy with new foals. Than you for your words and your story. It means a ton
You're welcome. Like I said, at times we've probably all been in this situation.
The thing is to realize that you are making the decision on where your time is going to go now -- and in the future too. Yes, I understand having time now when you only have one legged up and are waiting on others to get here. That was me 5 years ago. I didn't realize at that time what my friends were trying to say is that my decisions weren't just about the time I have now but the time I would also have in the years to come.
The extra time I had when Ren was a weanling was my focus and why I wanted some other horse to work with. I could only work with him maybe 10-30 minutes at the most on hard training and the rest was just brushing and messing with him. I thought I could get another and have that horse to work with after I messed with Ren. No problem.
The thing is, after putting that time into Ren and the other horse, I didn't want to let either one of them go. Same for the other 3 I had at the time. Now, 5 years later, I have too many horses and not enough time for them all. I'm shortchanging two of them right now as I post this because I don't have enough time for them.
That extra time I had when Ren was young is now completely gone. I made decisions long ago when I wasn't focused on the right things. I didn't realize part of the responsibility when you have young ones is that you must leave room for time and resources when they get older. It's part of the trade off when you say yes to either buying or raising a weanling. You make the trade off then -- not in the future.
I think what maybe I and your mom are trying to say is that you have a big decision right now. Either you chose to have this filly or those 3 broodmares because you won't have time and resources for all of them. Either you are someone who buys already on the ground or you commit to being a breeder. I can also say if you chose the breeder path, you must also make a decision on whether or not you sell those babies or the broodmares because it's the same thing. There is a limit on time and resources. The choice you make today isn't just about right now but years down the line. It's the trade off that you don't realize until you are further along the road. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| Red Raider - 2014-12-23 11:40 AM RoaniePonie11 - 2014-12-23 10:29 AM Do I have the time to put into all of the horses like they deserve? At the moment I have 1 horse that rides, the other 3 are broodies. I did not originally plan to be stuck with 3 broodies but here I am. My plan was 2. Keep one, sell one. Then someone got in a bin with one that I thought was nice and now I have 3... I am pouring myself into my 1 (the original) that I am legging up from being off half a year. She is eating it up. She is tired of me already lol. I do want something to give my time to so I can give her enough attention, not clobber her or go to fast to soon legging her up. BUT next year I will be stupid busy with new foals. Than you for your words and your story. It means a ton You're welcome. Like I said, at times we've probably all been in this situation.
The thing is to realize that you are making the decision on where your time is going to go now -- and in the future too. Yes, I understand having time now when you only have one legged up and are waiting on others to get here. That was me 5 years ago. I didn't realize at that time what my friends were trying to say is that my decisions weren't just about the time I have now but the time I would also have in the years to come.
The extra time I had when Ren was a weanling was my focus and why I wanted some other horse to work with. I could only work with him maybe 10-30 minutes at the most on hard training and the rest was just brushing and messing with him. I thought I could get another and have that horse to work with after I messed with Ren. No problem.
The thing is, after putting that time into Ren and the other horse, I didn't want to let either one of them go. Same for the other 3 I had at the time. Now, 5 years later, I have too many horses and not enough time for them all. I'm shortchanging two of them right now as I post this because I don't have enough time for them.
That extra time I had when Ren was young is now completely gone. I made decisions long ago when I wasn't focused on the right things. I didn't realize part of the responsibility when you have young ones is that you must leave room for time and resources when they get older. It's part of the trade off when you say yes to either buying or raising a weanling. You make the trade off then -- not in the future.
I think what maybe I and your mom are trying to say is that you have a big decision right now. Either you chose to have this filly or those 3 broodmares because you won't have time and resources for all of them. Either you are someone who buys already on the ground or you commit to being a breeder. I can also say if you chose the breeder path, you must also make a decision on whether or not you sell those babies or the broodmares because it's the same thing. There is a limit on time and resources. The choice you make today isn't just about right now but years down the line. It's the trade off that you don't realize until you are further along the road.
you are very wise  |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | All the other advice aside, to just say no to another:
Babies seem to do MUCH better in big pastures, like 10 acre pastures, with their friends and a babysitter. Or, if you have a very safe stall and turnout. I've had more babies hurt in half acre traps lately.
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 Making the post season
Posts: 7288
Location: your guess is as good as mine | Three 4 Luck - 2014-12-23 8:26 AM CYA Ranch - 2014-12-23 9:13 AM mruggles - 2014-12-23 8:56 AM its not cheap to feed a baby.......
m ditto.....there's nothing cheap about raising a baby if you do it right. If you aren't going to do it right don't do it at all.
You mean like this...2 years later and I'm still not sure she'll ever be able to run barrels competitively.
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | All the previous advice not withstanding, any time you make an effort to teach this filly something new, do it right the first time!! I love working with babies but these things learn very fast and if you teach it something wrong, it will take three times as long to correct. Good luck and have fun!!!  |
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