How To Start A Horses Breeding Business
I looked into this as a business because I admire horses and would love to work with them. Since I don't have much capital to start a business, I decided against a horse breeding business because you must buy land and stables then buy and take care of at least one female horse(mare). Feed and veterinarian bills can be costly. Then you must pay for the breeding services of a male horse(stallion) and the mare is pregnant for 11 months. Horses can't be trained until they reach between the ages of 2 and 4. Therefore, you must invest alot of money before you can sell the progeny.
Horses take a lot of money and time. One easy method is to have a very large pasture where they can run as a herd, and to have one stallion and several mares. Sell off or neuter all male colts. If you want to keep the fillies, you must replace the stallion every so often so the herd doesn't become inbred.
If you want to train or break in any young horses they must be separated from the herd and kept closer, either in a stable or a small pen. If you let them run with the others they will be more unwilling to accept you as their "herd leader."
Don't expect to make money right away. It will take time to establish a reputation as a reliable breeder. It goes without saying that horses unfit for breeding should not be used for such. Get the advice of someone knowledgeable in the field on topics like conformation, health issues (watch out for horses that have been "foundered"), and proper regular vaccinations and dewormings.There's alot to starting a Horse Breeding buisness, just like starting any other buisness. I was thinking about opening up an Equine Center that offers boarding, training, lessons, clinics and shows, but just decided that I'm not quite ready, finanically. You have to make sure you have good breeding stock horses. Have good personalities, and characteristics, good genes, and confirmation from both Sire and the Dam. You would also need to have alot of experience in that aspect, let alone alot of horse experience. You have to bet set up with a barn, pastures, always buying hay/gran/supplements/wormer/vet bills/hoof trimming shoeing, you also have to be quite financially stable.If you go into a buisness like that you have to have much experience it could cost you not only money, but lawsuits, as well as having someone get hurt, including yourself. Espesially around stallions.Alot of people these days do "back yard breeding". Which personally I just don't accept. Alot of people in my area do that, although it's all over.They get semi good horses or even decent expensive horses, breed them, they're either untrained, or never worked. Many ppl I see doing this just leaves their horses out in pasture until the mare is ready to foal. that just isn't right at all. If you have horses, pay attention to them, ride them, love on them. Show them you care and that you have a friendship with them otherwise don't get a horse. period. You get people that are inexperienced, throw in their mare with a stallion are get AI (artificial insemonation) and just wait for the foals. Quick and easy money. But it's not quick, and there's nothing easy about it. Both parents have to be heatly, esp the mare. She needs to be on the right feed and supplements, and have the right amount of exercise. Horses is a tricky buisness. But unless you have experience, and the desire to go into this type of buisness you really have to know what you're doing... The list could go on and on, but i'm sure you get my point
What a challenge but well worth it. I believe there are several things which are essential. Experience with horses and a good nature to deal with breeders, who can be infuriating at best. Choose your stallion wisely, not just conformation but temperment is equally important. Compete your stallion and show him off to the best of his ability, and finally grazing. The latter is the least important in the beginning apart from grazing of your stallion, time outside helps to keep them calm. Good stable management and hygeine is also important because your appearance is your shop window, just like the cover on a book. And finally it is helpful to have a little bit of money behind you, but I started breeding from my stallion whilst he was at a mixed livery yard, so everything is possible.
