Young Professional Wanting to Start a Breeding Farm

[saabski]

ditto Quillane Welsh Cobs

[QUOTE=fairtheewell;6160697]
OP: Check out Quilane Welsh Cobs on the East coast. They seem to be doing well. Maybe they can give you some good advice.[/QUOTE]

they are in Massachusetts. (Plymouth? Plympton? Carver???) somewhere south of Boston, not far from the Cape. BEAUTIFUL and talented horses. OP you said New England? maybe you are not far from them!

[exvet]

I would agree with contacting Quillane Welsh as they might be able to help with getting you in contact with some smaller breeders (of course most of us who breed welsh cobs do it on a very small scale) who are in need of someone who can start/back their youngstock. You might also try to get into contact with a very successful breeder of eventers, mostly of welsh cob x tb breeding, Carol McDonald as to getting some insight on what crosses and does well. I will ditto what Daventry said in that purebred welsh cobs are certainly an acquired taste in both the eventing and dressage worlds. I find many people in general and this goes for the eventers and dressage folks around here are a bit more accepting of the <nice, meaning they are well balanced and move well> welsh cob x TB crosses.

I fund my breeding endeavors via my “day” job. I had a lot of experience foaling out horses before I even got into vet school and having my degree and experience does not hurt. Being a veterinarian certainly decreases my expenses to a point; but, you will still find that breeding horses, particularly a relatively unknown breed, is not for the faint of heart. Unexpected tragedy happens even when you do all the right things and can take it’s toll financially and emotionally. There is also, at least I find, quite a bit of difference in owning and campaigning a stallion in addition to or as opposed to just handling the broodmare side of the equation so a business plan is a must if you want to survive regardless of how you choose to help fund it. I am also lucky in that I start/back/train/show my welsh cobs all by my lonesome with just the help of my kids (free labor) but that will be ending soon as my daughter is leaving for a working student position for the next year in just a few days. Fortunately I have always planned and built my facility with the “doing it on my own” and extreme efficiency in mind. All of this I did by choice because I wanted it to remain my hobby (though nice when it can produce some revenue to help cover the costs) and never become something I regretted or found myself resigned to do. I still get up every day looking forward to the time I can steal from my “real” job to spend with my cobs. Good luck with your future endeavors.

[HyperionStudLLC]

[QUOTE=bridgewater3day;6159016]
Thanks everyone for your advice. @Callaway, would like to hear more about your operation and basic statistics and how successful you think it’s been for you. Also thanks to Hyperion Stud, would love to schedule a trip down and see your operation. I don’t come from a lot of “old money” so would inherit some but would have to fund the majority of my start-up by myself, so I think it would be best to apprentice/work under a breeder for a few years to not only achieve my competition goals but also get a better idea of the breeding industry. Does anyone know of a respected Section D Welsh Cob breeder on the East coast who would be open to taking on an apprentice/rider? And thanks again for all the feedback. OP[/QUOTE]

Our breeding season starts next months and goes through July. You’re always welcome and all you have to do is call to plan for a visit!

Cheers

[Artie]

Bridgewater,
I have the same exact goal as you, but with Section B and Half-Welsh pony hunters.
I am graduating from college next year and plan on looking for a full time job and running a small lesson/training barn on the side at my parents tiny barn, and I already have a nice broodmare who can also double as a lesson pony. I think lessons really are a good way to start off since you can make more money without the risk of sick foals or breeding issues. I’m planning on breeding my first mare in 2013 and only doing broodmare leases for my other mares, atleast that way if your babies don’t sell the mama mares can go home!
Good luck!