Oh, wait. I just thought of two other things.
How tall is he/she expected to get? And, if you don’t have a video, do you see their movement as more dressage or hunter?
I use the Dreamweaver software as well. It is pretty easy to learn and there is a HUGE book you can buy that covers everything. I am able to update our web site often with links to videos. For the most part we don’t market babies, our “specialty” is young horses, most under saddle. But they change rapidly as well. A good video camera, still camera, Dreamweaver and You Tube are some of my favorite things.
How tall is he/she expected to get?
Oh that’s a tricky one 
Example. I had 3 fillies out of a 15hhish mare by a 17.1hh stallion. First one is turning 6 this year, 15.3hh high. Second one is turning 5 this year, was sold as a weanling, was bigger same age that her older sister. Tought she would be around 16hh at maturity. At 3, she was 14.2hh barely. Owner sold her as she tought she would never grow tall enough for her. Breeder (me) felt guilty for the owner, as I never tought she would end SMALLER than her dam… Measured recently by her new owner… said filly, one year and a half later? 15.3hh!! Who would have known… Me felling less guilty. 3rd filly going on 3yo this year, already over 15.2hh so how tall shall her be at maturity?? Tough guess. Another foal I got was soo huge at birth, tall, big frame, out of 17.1hh mare. Advertized him as a 16.3++ prospect… Going on 4yo this spring… He is barely 16.1hh. Last one: Bred Brentano II to my 16.2+ mare, got a 5yo at 15.3hh. Sir Gregory 2011 foal out of same mare is 14.3hh at 10mo!!
Now, if both parents are over 16hh, if interested buyers ask for how tall foal will be… I say… “probably between 16 and 17hh… but… ya never know…” And I give them these examples.
[QUOTE=sixpoundfarm;6198487]
OMG Kathy, I can SO relate to this!!!
The worst fights my husband & I have had have stemmed from us trying to do photos or video together!!! I was just telling my good friend that she & I need to just do pics together. Our hubbies just. do. not. get. it.[/QUOTE]
:lol::winkgrin::yes: Me too!!! I remember trying to get conformation pics of one of my mares… I washed and braided her, waited for the game hubby was watching to finish, only to be rushing to beat the oncoming thunderstorm and being eaten alive by mosquitos. It was not pretty, lol!!!
With my 2010 colts, I had a lovely high school girl come over and run the mares. Took about 15 minutes and having the young beauty (human one) in the video didn’t hurt 
Sold the second colt off of this one video in two days!!!
[QUOTE=railmom;6198876]
… being eaten alive by mosquitos. It was not pretty, lol!!![/QUOTE]
OMG…those of you who saw our “Dare to be Different” ad? The one with the guy on Colorado??? We had horseflies the size of BATS out! You think it’s bad when they’re just trying to get the horse and the photographer…try dodging them when you’re trying to look calm, cool, collected and with minimal attire on, as well. We scrapped that photo shoot and waited a day to try again. AND used copious amounts of bug spray on ALL participants! I still giggle at the thought of all the swatting and tail swatting that was going on that day…and there were a few interesting photos, to say the least <LOL>!!
Kathy, THOSE are the photos that I want to see!
[QUOTE=Sonesta;6198952]
Kathy, THOSE are the photos that I want to see![/QUOTE]
Uh uh…No way…:D! I can honestly say, it’s been a long time since I’ve laughed that much. Still brings a giggle, even though the guys all roll their eyes at me. They didn’t think it was funny.
I am so relieved to hear I am not the only one who fears posting pictures of the hairy, unbalanced youngsters. I always send them to an interested party if they are requested, but despite my disclaimers, I never hear back from them. What a relief to hear from the people knowledgeable enough to be buying a baby that they do not care to see these, and the excellent 3 month old baby shots will work perfectly…those I always prioritize!
Anyone care to kindly critique my site?
www.trinitysporthorses.com
[QUOTE=Dan;6198084]
Yep we agree! Thanks for noticing.
Dan[/QUOTE]
I wondered too, who got GCF’s Connemaras. Dan, I hope you’ll consider joining the ACPS (www.acps.org), and keep us posted on your pony endeavors. We did have a couple of write-ups in our magazine about Fancey This.
The Connemaras really do nick well with a variety of breeds to make a very athletic small horse. The Conn x TB has been a popular cross for years, but we’re seeing them used with warmblood breeds with much more frequency.
We had a filly last year by Moxley Duncan (Bliss’ grandsire): http://www.fadetogreyfarm.com/youngstock/2011_youngstock
On the topic of websites, I found yahoo’s new site solution to be quick and easy. That’s what I used to build my new site, and it’s all done through the internet. There are no files saved on your computer, so you can access it from anywhere, and don’t have to worry about losing any of your information or files if your computer crashes!
TrinitySportHorses,
LOVE your webpage!
Too bad for me that you don’t have any dressage geldings coming along!
OK, let me restate that:
Too bad for me that you don’t have any young dressage geldings coming along that I can afford!
I’m reading lots about breeders having a tough go in this market and I can appreciate that, but I just have to vent about my frustrating experiences as a potential buyer.
I’m looking for a weanling/yearling with potential, movement, registered, healthy, good bloodlines, prefer filly and within my budget. It’s important to note that I’ve only made inquiries about a few that are within my budget and fit my criteria.
One is almost 500 miles away. Ad is based on a photo and a video snip of a 2 month old, which is now 6 months out of date. Said they needed to take some updated conformation photos.
A well-known breeder has lots of young stock; few have photos, no prices and little info regarding individuals listed on their website. Based on bloodlines they should have some nice foals, but when asked they provided 1 word answers and said to come see them. Again I’m not traveling 100 miles away based on almost zero information and not knowing which of the yearlings, weanlings or new borns I’m interested in.
So think I’ll wait for 2012 crop. I just didn’t think breeders would be selling stock without info I consider pertinent; current photos and details. Just my experience but nice to read about all the breeders here.
Here’s what I would like to know about baby:
- DOB (month, year)
- pedigree and if registered yet
- price
- 2 CURRENT photos; 1 standing, 1 moving
- basic info
Also appreciate:
- video
- expected mature height
- more about sire/dam or links to info/ photos (sometimes hard to find info on mare besides bloodlines)
- details on individual (personality, what they’ve learned e.g. lead, pick hoof, etc)
Mo, you have been my mentor, a peerless friend, and one of the most important people in my equine life. I am horrified that you believe I was somehow denigrating the superhuman effort I know you put in to your business. I can say confidently that the CEO of Pepperidge Farm does not go home at five o’clock, does not work a 5 day week, and carries the weight of the future of the company and the livelihood of many people on his/her back. Just like you do.
But I still maintain that our resources, and approach to problems, and the types of problems themselves are going to be different based on the size and scope.
The only reason I can halfway, reasonably keep my website up-to-date is that it was programmed so that I can login and make updates in Word Press. It is so easy that a lightly trained monkey (like me) can do it!! You can link YouTube videos, set up picture galleries and add to them, and the News page is quite intuitive.
Fortunately, the buyers of my foals and young horses have either stuck around the area and I can take pictures, myself, or they thrive on sending me updates so my website grows and grows as I have time to add to it. The new owners like to see their babies featured on my website since most of them don’t have their own.
I am behind in adding some recent pictures and videos of the under saddle (sold) youngsters–thanks for the kick in the pants.
[QUOTE=NoDQhere;6198737]
I use the Dreamweaver software as well. It is pretty easy to learn and there is a HUGE book you can buy that covers everything. I am able to update our web site often with links to videos. For the most part we don’t market babies, our “specialty” is young horses, most under saddle. But they change rapidly as well. A good video camera, still camera, Dreamweaver and You Tube are some of my favorite things.[/QUOTE]
And yet I absolutely HATE Dreamweaver - at least their version 8 which goes with Windows 7. Miserable software, glitchy, not at all user friendly, hard to navigate. Their earlier versions might have been better, but this current version puts a very deep frown on my face. I’m trying to create a new website template to get a new look and to say I’m frustrated is the understatement of the century.
For my existing website, I use Adobe Contribute to update content, including pics, videos, new pages, whatever. Super easy-peasy and you don’t have to understand or know code of any sort. Fred, you should look into it. As long as you know the password to your web server, this program is a nice one to use for updating content. It seems to be a trade secret, a lot of web designers don’t like to create new templates for people who have Adobe Contribute because they know that once the template is uploaded, the web owner will never need to use their services again.
I’m another one that only posts baby pics and then I wait until they look pretty again, if I still even have them, as most of mine seem to sell as weanies. I have found it really hard to get good photos - DH is not a horsie person and is pretty much useless for making a horse stand up. I can take a decent photo if the young goober is standing up instead of being allowed to fidget. If I stand the horse up, they’re nice and quiet, but DH’s camera dexterity is, well bless his heart and his try, but it’s just not his piece of apple pie.
[QUOTE=railmom;6198876]
:lol::winkgrin::yes: Me too!!! I remember trying to get conformation pics of one of my mares… I washed and braided her, waited for the game hubby was watching to finish, only to be rushing to beat the oncoming thunderstorm and being eaten alive by mosquitos. It was not pretty, lol!!!
With my 2010 colts, I had a lovely high school girl come over and run the mares. Took about 15 minutes and having the young beauty (human one) in the video didn’t hurt Sold the second colt off of this one video in two days!!![/QUOTE]
I HIRE - given up thinking I can do good Photos - in FACT have a photoshoot for this weekend only of course, might RAIN - sigh
[QUOTE=Blazergoose;6199162]
…but I just have to vent about my frustrating experiences as a potential buyer…I’m looking for a weanling/yearling with potential, movement, registered, healthy, good bloodlines, prefer filly and within my budget. …
Here’s what I would like to know about baby:
- DOB (month, year)
- pedigree and if registered yet
- price
- 2 CURRENT photos; 1 standing, 1 moving
- basic info
Also appreciate:
- video
- expected mature height
- more about sire/dam or links to info/ photos (sometimes hard to find info on mare besides bloodlines)
- details on individual (personality, what they’ve learned e.g. lead, pick hoof, etc)[/QUOTE]
BlazerGoose- as many people have mentioned, a bad photo is worse than no photo. Babies begin to go through ugly spells- often starting at 5 or 6 months old and sometimes lasting YEARS! Many of us breeders are hesitant to send out pics of a foal who is in the midst of a butt-high, ewe-necked, moose phase! It is temporary but can go on for months (sigh)
A foal can and should be judged by how they look at 3 months. If a buyer doesn’t understand this rule, or doesn’t know how to evaluate a foal (or find someone who can), we often assume that you are not a serious or knowledgable buyer.
[QUOTE=Daisy1066;6199122]
TrinitySportHorses,
LOVE your webpage!
Too bad for me that you don’t have any dressage geldings coming along![/QUOTE]
Why thank you…and, yes, I’ve had quite the run of fillies (hope Kathy isn’t reading this :winkgrin:)
I’m sort of suspecting my Dancier foal due in June might be a colt…but that’s just a hunch so we’ll see
[QUOTE=TrinitySporthorses;6199824]
BlazerGoose- as many people have mentioned, a bad photo is worse than no photo. Babies begin to go through ugly spells- often starting at 5 or 6 months old and sometimes lasting YEARS! Many of us breeders are hesitant to send out pics of a foal who is in the midst of a butt-high, ewe-necked, moose phase! It is temporary but can go on for months (sigh)
A foal can and should be judged by how they look at 3 months. If a buyer doesn’t understand this rule, or doesn’t know how to evaluate a foal (or find someone who can), we often assume that you are not a serious or knowledgable buyer.[/QUOTE]
I agree with this. If our foals are not sold by about 7 months old, they are sort of hidden away from the public until they are 2 and begin to blossom again - unless someone is willing to buy them based on their videos and photos of when they are 3-4 months old. I will NOT send out or post a photo of them in their ugly phase. Will. not. do. it.
Of course, scattered through their two years of uglies, there will be a day or two now and then when they look good (things seem to even up for a while before they go bad again). On these days, I grab the camera and demand that DH or students help grab some video and stills while they look decent. But alas, those times are very few and far between.
