Why would they want to breed to MY filly??

Question

I went to get my hay the other day. I get it from the Mennonites(sp) here and its great hay. alfalfa/orchard grass. anyway. to the point. they have been to my place and have seen my quarter filly. this time when i went out the gentleman asked me to consider in a year or so letting him cross his morgan to my filly. now they have some beautiful animals. Pretty well known around here. All have impressive lines. but why would he want to cross out to my quarter? i admit she is a good looking girl. i told him i would think about it when i was sure how tall she would be. she is just over 2 now and I'm HOPING she will get some more height on her. but why??? anyone who knows more about breeding than me(which is just about everyone lol) have any ideas?? And what would i charge for such a thing if i went with it? his horses sell for 2 grand an up as yearlings. mine cost me 500 bucks lol.

Answer 1

QH/Morgan crosses are excellent horses.  Two are at my barn right now and one jumps 3ft+ and the other jumps 4ft+ and they are both excellent dressage horses.  They look more...fine (i am not sure if thats the word haha).  They just look sleeker and are gorgeus crosses :)  

Answer 2

morgans crossed with quartr horses make rodeo horses.

Answer 3

Wow, well said Dreamy.  I couldn't say it better myself, and have nothing to add to her answer but I second it.  Completely.

Answer 4

Hi there!

The breed of the horse aside, its interesting that an owner of a stallion is asking to breed his horse to your mare.  I've almost always heard it the other way around, where a mare owner inquires about breeding her to a stallion.  That said, what is your ultimate goal with your filly?  I would consider what you'd like to do with her later on, and then see how well that matches up with breeding her.  Also, I would consider the method of breeding that the stallion owner is going to use.  Is it live cover or artificial insemination?(A.I.)  A.I. can be costly, especially if your filly doesn't "take" the first time.  

Also, unless you are !00% percent sure that you are going to keep her foal, I'd think about what kind of market there is for it.  Do the stallion owners want to buy the foal after it is born?  If so, I would make sure you draw up a contact accordingly.  If not, I'd weigh your options of what that horse would have a potential for and what kind of demand there is for a horse like that.

  All in all, I would consider it a compliment to have a reputable stallion owner approach you about your filly.

  

Answer 5

In a year or so? Not a good idea. At least another two years before she should be bred.

Answer 6

I agree 100% with dreamy. Completely.

She is also too young to be bred. Wait a couple more years if you /are/ going to breed her.

Answer 7

Ok, so I really don't want to be negative here but I would really really discourage you to breed your mare. First of all I have seen plenty of QH and morgan crosses and most of them seem wonderful. Unfortunately, a) I know your mare is young and has some filling out to do, but she is not the kind of horse that really should be breeding. I'm sure she will make an excellent riding horse but I don't think she has the conformation to be breeding. b) You have talked about breeding her before she has any kind of performance record or experience  c) you know very little about breeding which could be a disaster for the mare and her unborn foal. d) I have never had any personal experience with the mennonites so this is purely speculation, but from my understanding they work their horses very hard then dump them when they're finished with them.

Ultimately this is your decision but I would encourage you to not breed your mare ever. Please don't take this the wrong way. all three of my horses have faults that would not make them good for breeding but they are still amazing riding and show horses. I just think that your mare does not have the qualities to make a good broodmare and I dont think this situation would be very good for the foal that would be produced. good luck

Answer 8

The answers you have received so far are true and encouraging.  However, before deciding to do this, I would find out if these horses are sold within this community of people.

The reason I say this is because the Amish and Mennonites literally USE their horses..for field work (horse tractors) and as transportation in lieu of automobiles.  

I am associated with a rescue group that goes to an Auction and rescues these thin, overworked horses, that once they can longer be of service, are just taken to the auction without a thought of their future or demise.  No more 20 mile trips, bye, bye horse and good riddens...

The fortunate ones are re-habbed and adopted out for lesson or companion and lawn ornament horses.  They did have a future (the lucky ones that get rescued) if only they looked at horses as we do...not for the work they can or cannot do.  Ans the conditions of these horses are deplorable.  I wonder if they feed them the great hay they grow or only harvest the fields.

So, although it is a nice gesture that this person finds your filly attractive..but I would ask or educate myself as to the lifestyle your then mare's baby might have.

I'm not saying they are not *nice* people..but their values with animals are different than mine at least..and I've seen it first hand.

Good Luck!!

Answer 9

I have seen a few Morgan/ Quarter cross.  I can't remember if they had a name for it.  But they are a nice cross,  the Morgan gives the quarter more of a refined look.  So they look every elegant.  The one i knew were show horses.  A great horse for dressage or english pleasure.  

Answer 10

Don't!

Answer 11

he may want to breed out to new stock if he is in danger of inbreeding, may want to reduce imperfections in his stock (ie. if lots of his stock have less than perfect legs but your mare has very good legs) or he may just have taken a shine to her :)

But remember, it's your choice so if you decide you would rather not breed her or breed her to another horse then that should be your decision to make. don't feel like because he is experienced you should do all that he says.

good luck with whatever you decide, and i'm sure she will have beautiful foals

xx