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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
   
Location: Texas | First off, financially embryo transfer isn't an option. So my choices are, leg up and ride, or stay off and breed again.
I have a really nice mare, who filled my WPRA permit and won me a couple pro rodeos. I bred her in 2013 to give her some time off after an injury then an illness… Bloodline wise she's probably one of the strongest mares I have. Conformation wise, she's probably the best built mare I have. Talent wise- she's proven she's the nicest horse I have ever swung a leg over.
Earlier in the year I decided to breed her to ASOF. Got my contract printed out, then second guessed it because I thought about how I missed running her. So I never sent it. Now I am back to thinking about it.
I DO have another horse to run, she's young and talented but isn't ready to hit the rodeo trail like Lucy is. I'm also very busy with school. On one hand that means riding ONE horse is easier than riding TWO. On the other hand, next year may be the best/only chance for me to rodeo again for a while. 3rd and 4th year get more an more time consuming, and then if I take an internship I probably won't ride at all. On another hand, even if I can haul more next year I still may not be able to hit many rodeos with AM weekday slacks. So I may be at jackpots anyway.
Part of me says, leave her open and get back on so she can start racing again. Another part of me says, breed her while I can still afford ASOF. What if I wait until 2016 and he jumps from $3000 to $4000? or $5000? What if I breed her and something catastrophic happens and I never get to get back on her?! |
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  Champ
Posts: 19623
 
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | That's really difficult. I hope you make a decision you can have peace with.  |
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 Saint Stacey
| I agree with Oregon. There is no right or wrong answer to your dilemma. Either way will work (so that's the good news at least).
I would probably sit down and make a list of pro's and con's for both. Then I would numbr the items on a scale of 1-5 for importance 5 being the most important, 1 being the least. The side with the higher score wins. Just don't try to rig the results, lol! You might be surprised what your answer ends up being. |
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Who Wants to Trade?
Posts: 4692
| If you have the $$$ to breed her this year and really want to run her, put that $$$ in a different account all by itself.
Worst case she doesn't come back the way you want her to after this foal. Best case she is amazing. In worst case, you still have the original money set aside and his fee likely won't jump a huge amount in one year. Best case, she wins enough that even if it does jump you've got it covered.
Think about your long term plans and what will best fit them. Look at YOUR goals and make the decision that best helps you reach them.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| Once the baby is on the ground, will you have time for all three? I'm in your boat... To breed or not to breed. Aaaakkk!!! |
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You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Time for all three? Who knows at this point. I am a first year vet student so my time will always be more and more limited. Then when I practice, things can get very hectic. However, I am determined to keep my horses. Hopefully if all else fails I will make enough to be able to send the colts I have off and I know I could find a jockey for them :P.
Kuhlmann- you make a good point. I do have until April to think on it, unless he fills his book before then. My plan in my head right now is save up the $$, do a lameness exam on her to see if she is sound (which she should be) and go from there. I REALLY want a baby out of her and by ASOF but I have to think in my head if I am being impatient now or if I should do it now. |
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