Balou du Rouet as a sire?

[yourcolorfuladdictio]

So I’ve read the PS page like everyone else, 75 descendants competing at the advanced (S) level, and 40 licensed sons.

What I really want to know is what he passes on to his foals in the way of rideability, scope, and size (as an improvement stallion at least for rideability and size).

I have a mare that has good scope but is a little on the small side (just under 15.3) that I’d like to breed in the next few years to a stallion that will produce height and high rideability for jumping. Even if it’s not Balou or a Balou son (although I’m fond of the lines).

Edit: I wanted to note that my mare is out of a TB/Hano Gaylord mare, by Galiani CH, neither of which are big by any stretch so height will be an issue from her side.

Thoughts? Opinions? Other suggestions?

[Bent_Hickory]

[QUOTE=yourcolorfuladdiction;7173427]
So I’ve read the PS page like everyone else, 75 descendants competing at the advanced (S) level, and 40 licensed sons.

What I really want to know is what he passes on to his foals in the way of rideability, scope, and size (as an improvement stallion at least for rideability and size).

I have a mare that has good scope but is a little on the small side (just under 15.3) that I’d like to breed in the next few years to a stallion that will produce height and high rideability for jumping. Even if it’s not Balou or a Balou son (although I’m fond of the lines).

Thoughts? Opinions? Other suggestions?[/QUOTE]

I would not look to him to produce size. I have a 3yo filly that might finish above 16H out of a 15.3+H mare.

People/breeders in the U.S. swear by his rideability. That is inconsistent with what I hear from sources in Europe, inconsistent with the breeding indices, and inconsistent with what I have experienced with my filly. She is beautiful, unquestionably athletic, and has super technique in the jump chute (especially the hind end). BUT, she is NOT an easy ride (at least not right now).

Would I breed to him again? Probably not based on the information I have right now, but I may reconsider him if this filly matures in a positive way (either improved rideability or stellar talent).

[yourcolorfuladdictio]

Thank you Bent Hickory, what you’re describing is pretty much what my mare already is. Small, athletic, and with great technique.

But she’s also overly sensitive and gets frustrated when she doesn’t understand even though she’s constantly trying to please. And due to her size I don’t think she’ll reach GP, she’ll probably get about a foot shy (less if I’m lucky).

[EquineLVR]

you might reach out to Sporting Chance Farm - She has bred more Balou’s than anyone I know…

[Sacha]

Agree with the poster above - he doesnt increase size (even though we have had the odd huge one by him) and his offspring almost always have a fairly senstive side so they need to be produced the right way. Can have a tendancy to lateral stiffness.
But i would have one in a heartbeat. We worked with a lot of them in germany and not a nasty bone among them, good active movers and above average jumping ability. They were really my type of character.

[Nevada10]

@Bent Hickory

I would not look to him to produce size. I have a 3yo filly that might finish above 16H out of a 15.3+H mare.

People/breeders in the U.S. swear by his rideability. That is inconsistent with what I hear from sources in Europe, inconsistent with the breeding indices, and inconsistent with what I have experienced with my filly. She is beautiful, unquestionably athletic, and has super technique in the jump chute (especially the hind end). BUT, she is NOT an easy ride (at least not right now).

Would I breed to him again? Probably not based on the information I have right now, but I may reconsider him if this filly matures in a positive way (either improved rideability or stellar talent).

I’m curious, how did that mare turn out when she matured?

[Bent_Hickory]

@Nevada10

I’m curious, how did that mare turn out when she matured?

This past September in one of her first 1.40m classes and her very first night class: https://youtu.be/fNYZWIMsy98

[2tempe]

@Bent Hickory

This past September in one of her first 1.40m classes and her very first night class: https://youtu.be/fNYZWIMsy98

Wow lovely mare and she sure can jump! And did I mention that I like the name??

[NaturalSelection]

Awesome mare and excellent riding! It takes such a long time to see the results of a breeding, really cool when it works.

[Nevada10]

@Bent Hickory

This past September in one of her first 1.40m classes and her very first night class: https://youtu.be/fNYZWIMsy98

Love her! She doesn’t look too tricky, though the rider looks quite competent. So… would you breed to her BDR again?

[J-Lu]

He’s not known for passing on size or rideability. There’s always a bell curve, and he has produced some very rideable horses, but produced many “tricky” rides. You’re playing the odds, which you can increase in your favor if you plan to have a professional start and ride your horse.

[Bent_Hickory]

@Nevada10

Love her! She doesn’t look too tricky, though the rider looks quite competent. So… would you breed to her BDR again?

The rider and I have discussed this extensively over the last couple of years, and concluded that I should not breed to BdR again, even though this one shows talent and aptitude for more advanced classes. The rider started this BdR mare and has ridden her almost exclusively for the past 6-7 years. She describes the ride as a constant “negotiation” and has learned to avoid any “arguments.”

Keep in mind that this BdR mare was entirely tractable as a foal and continues to be very easy on the ground. However, she has a VERY BIG OPINION when undersaddle and is quite willing to express it.

Since my original posts, we have had direct, though unfavorable, experience with another BdR mare. So while I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a BdR that was already going successfully undersaddle, I am not likely to try to breed another one. It’s simply too expensive to risk producing an unrideable or in some cases, a dangerous horse.

[anon6923113]

@Bent Hickory

The rider and I have discussed this extensively over the last couple of years, and concluded that I should not breed to BdR again, even though this one shows talent and aptitude for more advanced classes. The rider started this BdR mare and has ridden her almost exclusively for the past 6-7 years. She describes the ride as a constant “negotiation” and has learned to avoid any “arguments.”

Keep in mind that this BdR mare was entirely tractable as a foal and continues to be very easy on the ground. However, she has a VERY BIG OPINION when undersaddle and is quite willing to express it.

Since my original posts, we have had direct, though unfavorable, experience with another BdR mare. So while I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a BdR that was already going successfully undersaddle, I am not likely to try to breed another one. It’s simply too expensive to risk producing an unrideable or in some cases, a dangerous horse.

That’s honest and fair information, and the mare is lucky to have had a great opportunity with good training and riding, and to have had a good shot at a successful performance career. She looks incredible in the video, but your comment makes it clear that this was the result of a lot of commitment and hard work.

Have you all had any other offspring from the dam - a Coconut Grove daughter - correct? His frozen will not be available forever, and I am trying to gather some more information about what/who he crossed best with, as well as pros and cons.

[Bent_Hickory]

@Virginia Horse Mom

Have you all had any other offspring from the dam - a Coconut Grove daughter - correct? His frozen will not be available forever, and I am trying to gather some more information about what/who he crossed best with, as well as pros and cons.

Sent you a message

[headbrickwall]

I’ve got a 3 rising 4yo BdR.
He is beautifully put together and a strong powerhouse.
He is tiny, currently about 158 out of a 168 mare.
Has been super sensitive and over reactive on the ground since day 1, but very sweet with not a nasty bone in his body.
He was lightly backed as a 3yo and I was very dubious about how it would go but he surprised us all and was very straightforward showing super natural balance and real ride ability.
I remain cautious about his future and have already decided to remove myself from the equation and leave him to the professionals.

The size is the most disappointing aspect for me.