Hey guys!

I recently bought this stud colt off of the wagon wheel ranch. It was sure a deal too since the owner Gist, recently passed and they had that big sale. I plan to keep him a stud. My grandparents have bread horses my entire life. I have been around it my entire life as well. I have never been the one to own and promote a stud though. I need insight.. the do's and dont's. Keys to promoting them. What would you recommend his stud fee be when the time comes? At what age do I start allowing him to breed to mares? Where should I advertise him? I even wouldnt mind hearing what mare you would recommend crossing with? more foundation breeding or what bloodlines would be a good cross? I feel like the King bred horses could slowly become slim pickins. Thank you so much! The sons may continue to breed or thats what I have heard but you just never know. I want to carry the tradition of King on and do it with style and class.

First ---congrats, that is exciting for you.

Been at this a LONG time and I would recommend having your own band of mares---breed him and get the resulting foals into the hands of people that will make them shine. Getting outside mares, especially early on can be a real struggle, but if you can get some out there winning---people start to notice.

Congrats!

As for tips; don't have him pastured (or ponied) with mares or in some cases stallions. He still has a long way to go, so I wouldn't breed him untill he is mature and around 6-8 years or when he is retired. As for his fee, his winning record and earnings play an important role aswell as his breeding. For advertising, BHW, tack/feed stores, Craigslist, Facebook, etc.

JMHO, I think it's a bit too early to start worrying about that.

Good Luck!

My advice...

1. Aquire the very best broodmares you can and continue to upgrade.  

2. Solicit help in learning to handle a stallion.  No 2 stallions are the same and proper handling will keep you safe.  

3. Turn him out with the mares and let him learn to be a horse.  

4. It is a long road, so look at it as a 10 year plan at a minimum.

5. Finances are the biggest impediment to stallion ownership.  Even the nicest of stallions might be overlooked because the owners don't have the funds to show or promote.  Have a solid financial plan. A friend of mine that has stood some really nice stallions says, it cost $500 in advertising to get each breed.  A breed fee under $1,000-$1,500 is costing you money after you factor in care of your stallion. 

 No advice since I have not owned a stud in many many years, but do let him be a horse,  The best thing NOT to do with him is keeping him isolated... Would love to see him, pictures please..

He isnt isolated. I have a few nice geldings that are teaching him a thing or too. No mares on the ranch yet only geldings so he is getting to play and not have a worry in the world. I hope to never have to keep him too isolated, its not life for a horse.

I went into this knowing it would be a big change and challenge. Most definatley not going to happen overnight. I have owned and trained horses my whole life and am not worried about the handling part. Although so far he is very sweet and just a baby. I did thump him a time or two for trying to nip at me, but he hasnt even offered since. My husband and I both work in the medical field so Im not super worried about funds. I wouldnt have bought him if I couldnt afford him or atleast give him my best shot. Our ranch is self sustaining, it pays for itself for the most part, we bale our own hay so thats helpful as well! Any advise on broodmare breeding what ones to look for?

Thank you! I am so excited for this journey. Something I have always wanted to do and im so blessed the opportunity presented itself!

It's exciting--- I'm happy for you. We just added another stud last week and I was as giddy now about it as I was years ago when we got our first ones.