Opinions on DHH crosses for jumping?

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

She’s chosen some very athletic jumper stallions.

I don’t know if it was this thread or the other, but if the few DHHs I have seen under saddle, one was a larger all around type who had been started very well, and probably could develop into a “Bear” type. Another was an interesting horse. He definitely could jump, and was super athletic … but he was HOT. And hard for a really excellent pro to break and start.

If someone were to cross type 2 on a top tier jumper stallion? The resulting foal might be REALLY challenging to start.

Thank goodness Kate didn’t cross one of these mares with Baloubet du Rouet or his son Balou du Rouet. That might have turned out frightening for someone…

Oh well. Hope the mares passed on lovely, amateur tolerant temperaments to the babies, and hopefully they turn out to be sporty solid citizens.

[fivestrideline]

One would hope. But it seems that they haven’t been getting good nutrition or handling, or even vet care for basics like contracted tendons. That’s not a good start for ANY baby, if it survives (which hers often do not). What doesn’t help is the babies seem to be conformationally challenged (probably due to the very athletic and differing type of the stallions vs the mares) and there seems to be no real evidence of the donor mares’ temperaments or records.

None of this sets these horses up for athletic careers, and at the prices Shearer is asking I won’t be surprised if she’s still got most of them at 4-5-6+ years of age (assuming they live and aren’t seized). Hoarders and such types do this - their animals are “for sale” but the breeder backs out or has them listed at ridiculous prices no one will pay.

I hope the filly that went viral on FB at least has landed in good hands, but who knows about the rest.

[CuriosoJorge]

@fivestrideline

I hope the filly that went viral on FB at least has landed in good hands

I believe that there’s still some question about what will happen to that filly. Kate won’t provide any refund without the filly being returned, and the buyer doesn’t want to send her back to… that.

[CuriosoJorge]

@fordtraktor

Well she has two mares supposedly carry Nabab foals for spring 2024, so I guess it does work better.

Supposedly. I’ll believe it when eventerdrew verifies the DNA.

[CuriosoJorge]

@Scribbler

How often do you need to refill the nitrogen?

Hold times vary based on the model and age of the tank, but call it 4 months or so.

[Alterrain]

I’m waiting until she posts pics and videos like promised, but I’m really tempted to pick the absolute worst looking one, low ball offer her cash, and see what happens.

[EmilyM]

I once rode a Gelder( I think not DHH). This is well over a decade ago. 2007? I LOVED riding him. Lovely. I watched the video, and he swapped at every single jump. And I couldn’t feel it. And that is VERY unlike me. I was shocked. Had to pass on him. I don’t care how good a trainer anyone is, no way that’s easily fixed forever. Is there something about carriage horses that make them extra smooth? Btw he was a beautiful jumper.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

I totally hear you.

Dealing with a giant DHH x jumper cross that is borderline feral at 4,5,or 6 ? Nope. No thanks. Not worth it. There are plenty of other horses out there who are different and easier to get started - feral or not.

And I agree… the confirmation is likely to end up weird. More than one of her malnourished weanlings/yearlings look like they have a DHH swan neck to me. The way it ties into the shoulder looks very harness-y to me, however. And that’s potentially challenging and limiting in a riding horse.

I don’t know. Hopefully the mares are all saints and pass on Saint like temperaments to all the foals. That would be super helpful to them over the long term. Poor things.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

Yep.

[Rumorhasit93]

@EmilyM

Is there something about carriage horses that make them extra smooth?

Oddly enough, the DHH I mentioned (way) upthread that I ride often at my barn (but don’t own) has an oddly easy canter to sit, and is preferable to my mates canter (the Baloubet mare). You (g) wouldn’t think so based off just watching him go. It looks choppy and hard.

I also agree with poster upthread in regards to Baloubet/Balou - I didn’t know what I was getting myself into with my mare. She’s a d**m good horse, but not beginner friendly at ALL. If I do breed her, I’m going to be very careful.

[EmilyM]

@Rumorhasit93

also agree with poster upthread in regards to Baloubet/Balou - I didn’t know what I was getting myself into with my mare

Yeah they are known to be tough but huge pay off if you survive the early years.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

They are notorious for tricky temperaments. Absolutely pass on incredible jumping ability. But… apparently a big risk when breeding. Not for casual amateurs.

With that said… if you own a Baloubet mare who you know and love and have figured out how to ride? That’s really cool. Good for you - chapeau. I’m guessing she’d be a worthwhile broodmare. And that’s just it… breeding is sooooooo much about the mare.

[MHM]

@fivestrideline

She’s breeding for the slaughter truck and the back forty where horses go to die.

It’s a pretty expensive way to do it based just on the vet bills alone.

[luvmyhackney]

I don’t know how many DHH y’all have driven/ridden but they are extremely safe good thinking beast even if they are hot-ish. I’ve always felt safe riding them as they are forward and not backwards thinkers.

They are game to try anything and most have rocking chair canters that are easy to sit and super athletic. I find them very ammy friendly and very much cuddly teddy bear type horses.

With that said, they are the last breed I would pick for a hunter prospect.

[Rumorhasit93]

She is an INCREDIBLE partner. I’ve had her for 6 years and, it’s been a journey to say the least. Whoever raised/started her did a phenomenal job in terms of bravery and trusting of people. Quirky is the word I constantly use to describe her, definitely one of the most interesting horses I’ve ever sat on and also developed.

[hillary_again]

That’s true. Kate’s mother died while Kate was still in high school.

[LSBC]

Kate’s most recent sale post made me chuckle a little. She writes:

“3)Never Have I Ever KG (5/2018)-16.1 hand KWPN colorful mare out of prolific damline “Paula”; throws chrome/sabino/somatic mutations; in foal to Margie Engel’s Royce; 100% sound to ride/show (20,000 package deal) (7500 mare only after foaling)” but also writes “18)Never Have I Ever KG x Royce (due 4/24/2024) (in utero 10,000)” so her “package deal” is actually $2,500 more??? Am I missing something here?

[vxf111]

The package deal gets you the dam and her in utero. The non package deal gets you the embryo in some other random recipient mare you have to return. Two different propositions. One gets you her “broodmare” and her offspring, the other only an offspring. If the mare was quality and someone wanted to use her to continue breeding the first option would be preferable.

[LSBC]

But since she says after foaling, wouldn’t that mean the mare is in foal right now and so it wouldn’t be a random mare?

[vxf111]

The mare isn’t pregnant twice. She only has one uterus. She has/had many eggs.

The mare is pregnant by Royce. She’s carrying that one herself.

Also they harvested an egg from this mare and made an embryo by Royce and put that in a recipient mare that you “rent” through weaning and then return.

The first deal buys you the broodmare carrying a foal by Royce and you keep her after the foal is here. The second deal buys you the same cross but being carried by a recipient mare you don’t get to keep.

Then there is a third price if you want to buy the broodmare only after she foals the foal by Royce.