Breeders: How do you decide which foals to sell?

[okggo]

Well…that is a good question, it’s hard to sell them! My first foal is 7 now, still have him, will always have him. 2nd foal, we didn’t breed, but we still have her, she is 4 now. She was a fluke, we got the mare and found out she was ‘exposed’ to the sellers colt - voila. We had no idea what the heck was gonna pop out and she ended up a very sweet and loudly colored paint, and my hubby really liked her. 3rd I couldn’t bring myself to list until she was a yearling and she sold. 4th, ditto that. 5th…I changed tactics and used a marketable stallion that wouldn’t be one I would pick (for my personal old-style big bulky preference) thinking I would be less tempted. And had the most amazing filly. Listed her as a foal, at points kind of hoped she wouldn’t sell, but the most amazing home came along and she’s now in the hands of a rider more accomplished then I could ever dream to be.

Filly 6 we have now is still at the foaling barn so I haven’t been around her enough to get attached YET, but I know me, lol. She also happens to be rediculously flashy, but she is listed and I have every intent to sell her (for now)…

I am the most OCD anal retentive person when it comes to our horses, ask my husband! I fret over their weight, hooves, condition, bugs irritating them, etc. We put sunblock on all white/pink noses daily, everyone has fly masks, everyone stays trimmed, gets fly sprayed, groomed, carrots, etc. And we have to make decisions on which ones can move on (younger or older) to other homes, so we are able to continue to provide that care. It’s always a tough call to make, and many factors get weighed in and agonized over!

[PremiumWarmbloods]

I think the best way to go about this business is to have a plan for the foal before you even breed the mare. I breed my mares with the plan to sell the foal. I enjoy producing foals for a specific discipline and then finding the right owner that will be just as thrilled with the foal as I am.

All colts get sold… so far haven’t had any stallion prospects.

The fillies have a better chance of being retained in my breeding program but I don’t keep them just because they are fillies - they have to prove their worth in my breeding program.

I think every breeding program will have that “one” every once in awhile that is really tough to part with, but if you are trying to make a profit from breeding then you can’t keep them all

[GGStables]

I haven’t read all the replies and about to head out but there are perhaps two separate situations, here. Excuse the references/word choices but it’s only to illustrate a point, faster.

If one is a Breeder (capital B to distinguish) i.e. breeding for business/income, then think in terms of producing ‘product’ to move. Always advancing, improving. When the opportunity arises to improve upon the “development/manufacturing tool” (broodmare) you should - be it by retaining a filly that is better bred/put together/sporting potential etc than her dam, and selling the dam when it’s proven right in whichever capacity.

If one ‘dabbles’ in breeding for pleasure/hobby the same rules apply in that the foundation of breeding is to improve - not just reproduce - and stay financialy able while doing it, but it’s less critical to be as diciplined in your choices. Emotions and attachments are allowed/less frowned upon!

[Home_Again_Farm]

@PremiumWarmbloods;6351697

I think the best way to go about this business is to have a plan for the foal before you even breed the mare. I breed my mares with the plan to sell the foal. I enjoy producing foals for a specific discipline and then finding the right owner that will be just as thrilled with the foal as I am.

All colts get sold… so far haven’t had any stallion prospects.

The fillies have a better chance of being retained in my breeding program but I don’t keep them just because they are fillies - they have to prove their worth in my breeding program.

I think every breeding program will have that “one” every once in awhile that is really tough to part with, but if you are trying to make a profit from breeding then you can’t keep them all

This. :yes: