[QUOTE=speedhrse3;3324439]
You have to remember that the Germans have many hundreds of years of breeding expertise. They also breed 1000’s of mares each year. Breeders here might breed 5 mares, maybe more, but in general there arent 20 or 30 babies at each farm you may visit. [/QUOTE]
As I understand it, many horse breeders in Germany do things on a small scale (2-4 foals/ year). Of course, there are some large-scale breeders, but, as in the US, they are the minority. Are you implying that some individual breeders breed 1000 mares per year? I doubt this; I think it’s collective, as it is in the US. Perhaps Alexandra or others can confirm this. My point is that there aren’t always 30-40 babies at every German breeding farm, though there are foal-rearers who buy many foals each year with the intent to raise and market them.
What I find interesting about the situation is the distance between many German breeders and the buyers of the horses they produce. I can’t imagine German breeders are any less passionate than US breeders. The OP’s article mentions that the breeders of the horse she bought were in tears about his sale, right? Perhaps the distance – the professionalism – found in Germany is something we US breeders need to emulate. I would argue that those US breeders who aren’t professional will be pushed out of the market in the current downturn; those that remain professional will get to keep breeding, as long as they keep producing top quality horses.
I’m a US breeder of Hanoverians and, yes, I’m definitely in my infancy as far as the endeavor is concerned. But what I’ve noticed is that almost all bloodlines in Germany can also be found in the US. And we’re not talking about less-than-stellar examples of those bloodlines, either. At some point, US buyers will figure this out and act accordingly. Many already have.
But don’t take my word or YankeeLawyer’s word for it. Why not listen to the Verband?
Here’s what the Hanoverian Verband printed in its member publication, translated from the German, in January 2008 about 2007 sales [I repeat it here faithfully, complete with grammar and spelling mistakes]:
“The consistently dropping dollar greatly impacted the auctions. The number of horses, which sold to the U.S.A. regressed from 104 in 2006 to 64 in 2007. For years the United States was the strongest outlet for exports, which now shows a decline due to deflated currency value. This example proves that the Hanoverian Association is on the right tract with its multi-tracked foreign strategy. Through sales to other foreign countries the association was able to fully compensate for these deviations… With a continuous demand in France, Spain, and Italy, horse markets in Scandinavia and East Europe show great possibilities for growth.” The Hanoverian No. 1, 2008, p4.
At the winter auction in Verden, only 6 of 121 horses were sold to the US. “Unfortunately,” we learn in the Verband’s magazine, “some customers from the U.S.A. will return home empty-handed. A result of the strong Euro, which influences the European horse market in the US.” The Hanoverian No. 2, 2008, p3.
As others – including the OP in her article – have pointed out, the auction situation often makes for competition for horses and therefore higher prices. Add to that the cost of shipping that horse home and you get a much higher price. Easier shopping, true, but at a premium I just can’t afford. It seems to me that buyers are faced with a very real choice. My response to that choice is easy for me: take advantage of those who have already imported top bloodlines to the US and save yourself a whole lot of cash, especially if you’re looking for a young or recently-started horse.
For others, it’s not such a clear choice. If you’re looking for a GP horse then maybe you are better to look in Europe. The import cost probably seems inconsequential if you’re spending $100-150K. I just find that the “more horses in one place” argument wears a bit thin when the buyer is looking for a young horse.
