Which stallion to choose...

[silanac]

my vote is for Apiro. Cannot say enough great things about him and his owners. I have a 2012 colt by him and all i can say is WOW. for my mare’s first foal we really hit the jackpot!

Apiro has a proven show record in the working hunters, and did the 1.5m+ jumpers in Germany before coming to the states and transitioning to a hunter. He has great form over fences and wonderful movement, and passes his fantastic temperament. My colt is the easiest baby I have ever come across, he is smart as a whip and very clearly has the ‘Apiro Stamp.’ And he looks like he will be very tall. At nearly 5 months he stands just over 13h at the withers. Nice long legs and extremely correct-was just named top colt at his AHS inspection.

Apiro is known for adding bone. my mare was quite substantial herself so my colt will probably be on the heavier type side. But his athleticism is all from his daddy and will surely be a 3’-6"+ hunter in the future.

Good luck! it’s so much fun breeding and waiting and seeing what cooks…

[Rissa515]

I do like Apiro but a friend told me that she heard the babies temperament weren’t that great…?

I am looking for a stallion where the baby will be able to be registered so the stallion must be eligible so their babies can be register A. I think I got that right, so hard with the KWPN-NA, much stricter rules than other registries I feel like…http://kwpn-na.org/breeding/studbook.php

[sixpoundfarm]

I do not understand why so many people have the misconception that a foal’s temperament is going to translate to adulthood. People rave on and on about how easy and quiet their foals are. I give that so little weight, because babies have good and bad days, just like little kids. Yes, some can prove to be more challenging, but most of the foals I have had that were challenging have grown up to be very well behaved adults. How they are handled and managed as they grow up has a big influence.

Apiro foals can be registered KWPN Register A.
Silver Creek Farms is honest and forthcoming, and you could miss out on using a nice horse by basing your decision on ‘what a friend heard’.
Speak to the stallion owner/manager, they have bred many foals, and have had adult offspring from Apiro. They know the horse well, and what he will produce.

[MDHorseGirl]

Perhaps if a friend had heard about the business practices of Redwine’s owner, and had passed that news along, the OP would not have lost two years and have had so much heartache.

While random speculation does nobody any good, valid opinion does. That is why the OP is here… to ask for advice, get opinions, etc from people who have either known the stallions she is considering and/or their offspring.

OP- My advice is to not consider just the stallion alone, but it conjunction with the mare. Consider the things you wish to change and the things you want to maintain and identify if the stallion affects those traits. Genetics is after all 50/50.

[monami]

We have had 2 Aprio’s and both are incredible in every way. Both may have been a little more sensitive but not at all in a bad way, just intelligent and had that extra something that made you want to look at them. And having a foal that is dull and has NO fear and is not in the least bit reative is a MUCH bigger PIA then a reactive one.

You can see the colt here at 3years old http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYA4uHwugco&feature=youtu.be

and the filly here at 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3cFDpRC69w

They are out of different mares. He is definetly one of a favorite stallions!! We can’t wait to use him again in the Spring!

[About_Time1]

Please don’t discount Apiro based on what your friend heard. I have known a few Apiro’s and all had sweet and quiet temperaments. I had a 2011 which was just sold and he is a complete angel. Since each foal is raised differently, it’s not accurate to say a temperament is due to the stallion. If you raise it to be a spoiled brat, that’s what it’ll be. Plenty of turnout and a good feeding program and I think you’ll find you will have a happy foal no matter what sire you choose. Yes there are a few who tend to throw a certain character trait but not in any of the ones that have been mentioned here.

[DownYonder]

[QUOTE=Rissa515;6543037]
I do like Apiro but a friend told me that she heard the babies temperament weren’t that great…?[/QUOTE]

I would ask your friend where she got her info. There is a certain stallion owner who has a history of bashing Apiro whenever she gets a chance in an attempt to drive breeders and buyers away from him and in the direction of her own breeding operation.

[Crossroads_Farm]

I have a 2010 filly and a 2012 filly by Apiro, out of different mares. Both were Gold Premiums at their inspection, and both have fantastic personalities. I love Apiro- hope he’s available fresh again next year!!

[Equine_Reproduction]

[QUOTE=Rissa515;6543037]
I do like Apiro but a friend told me that she heard the babies temperament weren’t that great…?

I am looking for a stallion where the baby will be able to be registered so the stallion must be eligible so their babies can be register A. I think I got that right, so hard with the KWPN-NA, much stricter rules than other registries I feel like…http://kwpn-na.org/breeding/studbook.php[/QUOTE]

I also think you have to weigh comments with regards to Apiro and ironically specifically to do with Jill Burnell and Gray Fox Farm. She did a phenomenal smear campaign using multiple alters and privately messaging people in an attempt to spread misinformation on the stallion. I think you will find that most credible stallion owners will do their best to steer you in the right direction in finding the best match for your mare. Afterall, it does NO ONE any good if you end up with a poor quality foal.

Good luck!

[winter]

I have a two year old filly by Apiro.
I am pleased with her in every way. Apiro gave a better hind leg than my mare and a lot more bone. The filly is a very good mover and will be substantially taller than her dam. She is a very attractive filly and receives a lot of compliments. I would have repeated the cross if I had room to breed that mare again.

As far as temperment goes, I would call this filly the opposite of sensitive. She is borderline stubborn and can not be motivated to move unless she wants to go somewhere. I am sure this will be both a blessing and a curse when we go to start her. Her mother was a very spicy mare and this filly is so much less energetic than her mother it’s comical. I would not call her smart, but pleasant and easy to work with if you handle her the right way.

I would not hesitate to use Apiro again, but would caution that he adds a substantial amount of bone. My mare was half TB and very petite and this filly has abundant bone. I would not put him to a heavy mare.

[sixpoundfarm]

Here is a 3yr old Stallion prospect by Apiro, bred by Silver Creek Farms.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=436696809706005&set=a.179180145457674.35577.163360860372936&type=1&theater

Um, wow. Just WOW.

[EquusMagnificus]

I had a foal by Apiro last year. He was a puppy-dog type, GORGEOUS, gorgeous colt. Sold easily for good money. Very fancy, great movement… I still have some frozen hidden somewhere that I’ll use down the road.

[DownYonder]

[QUOTE=sixpoundfarm;6545189]
Here is a 3yr old Stallion prospect by Apiro, bred by Silver Creek Farms.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=436696809706005&set=a.179180145457674.35577.163360860372936&type=1&theater[/QUOTE]

What a good looking boy!

And just curious, since the reference was made earlier on this thread. Does Redwine have any licensed stallion sons?

[Rissa515]

So, I am pretty sure I’m set on Apiro, I do like Roc USA but there’s something about him that I don’t think will go well with the mare, not sure exactly what it is. Apiro has the most in common with the mare, both have the same angles (except hind end), looking to give the mare a bit more bone and height. I do like the mare by herself so I think this is the best option!

[JWB]

If you like black and bling-y, look at Richard.
http://www.theequineathlete.com/index.html
Or Escapade
http://www.barringtonhill.com/escapade-info.html#info

I was also going to say Apiro but looks like lots have already said that.

[sfstable]

@JWB;6553797

If you like black and bling-y, look at Richard.
http://www.theequineathlete.com/index.html

Thank you for suggesting Richard He is “black and blingy” but he brings much more than just color.

He showed through the Regular Working Hunters. Video link: http://youtu.be/FBjqGSBg-7o. He also showed through Grand Prix jumpers. Video link: http://youtu.be/FBjqGSBg-7o

He has offspring in Europe that are old enough to be undersaddle and competing. They have been shown in jumpers, eventing and dressage. Here are some links to his offspring competing: http://youtu.be/EbUI9AVIKPE, http://youtu.be/CWpXFZhCnoc. His oldest USA offspring are 4 this year and will be headed to the showring soon. This is a recent video of one schooling: http://youtu.be/7Qk7R8zGk4o

He has a fabulous temperament and he is passing this along to his offspring. I believe that mare owners have been really pleased with their Richard offspring. We have had a very high rate of returning mares for full siblings.

He is activated KWPN as an Erkend stallion so his foals out of approved mares can get KWPN Register A papers. He has met all qualifying conditions with the KWPN so his foals are automatically put into the stud book at 3 years old and need meet no more requirements on their own. He is the only activated Erkend stallion that has met all requirements.

As far as Aprio, lovely stallion A good friend who I trust completely has seen him in person and really liked him. I have him on a “short list” for breeding to one of the Richard fillies that I am keeping. His connections are top notch, and have been very helpful to me with newbie stallion advice. I think you would be very pleased with the result of breeding to him as well.