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Post by angelsdream on Apr 29, 2008 8:02:03 GMT -5
I noticed on dreamhorse and other sites a lot of breeder's are selling out there broodmare's and some stallions were on there also. There are some nice horse's on there for sale. Just wondering the reason. I know hay is high along with the fuel and feed, which is mostly the reason a lot of people around here are selling and sometimes giving there horse's away. Can't afford to keep them. The horse market is just awful right now.  I hope everyone is not giving up on the kiger's. |
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Post by JoanMRK on Apr 29, 2008 12:21:06 GMT -5
Hi Angel,
I think there are a lot of factors for some people but I know that for myself, I do not have the time to devote anymore with my own little one (9mos. old now). I am looking to get down to atleast three and possibly two horses. I am not giving up on the Kigers but cannot be as involved in them anymore. I am thankful, though, that I decided what I did when I did because I really don't think we could afford to keep as many horses as we had (12) because of hay prices and fuel.
The horse market is in the toilet right now and you can get any breed, excellent trained, great age for dirt cheap right now around here (Northern CA). The prices that the Kigers were and are demanding is incredible, especially since you can buy a well trained show horse for $3,000, when our foals are going for that much! It's a sad situation and I only hope that the horses don't suffer for it. There are many that are being turned loose because people can't afford to feed them... $15.75 per small square bale locally.
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Post by nrly on Apr 29, 2008 17:04:18 GMT -5
oh my that is high we pay 10.50 a 3 string bale and it feel a bit high, I am not going to complain any longer. I live in Mesa, AZ
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Post by zephyrcreek on Apr 29, 2008 17:51:16 GMT -5
Hay prices are one of the only perks of living in Michigan. Normally a 50-70 lb bale of grass hay would run $2-$3, this year they are currently at $5. Round Bales that normally run $20-25 are at $40-$50 right now. I was lucky enough to get enough hay off my own field last year that I only needed to buy 100 square bales and 2 800lb square bales. Our prices were so high because of the drought we had. Most people did not get a second cutting, or if the did it was very small.
So far this year we are getting lots of moisture, and the fields seem to be growing well. They are talking about snow tonight, so I hope it doesn't kill everything off.
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Post by zephyrcreek on Apr 29, 2008 17:54:42 GMT -5
Angel,
I think a lot of the original Kiger people are getting to an age where they want to scale back and only keep a few riding horses. I don't think that anyone is "giving up". In fact there are many more Kiger's getting out in the public eye now than there were 5 years ago when I heard about them for the first time. Hopefully I'll be adding my two to that list this year.
Ellen
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Post by JoanMRK on Apr 29, 2008 22:09:47 GMT -5
Ellen & Nola -- Our bales are the three twine, 130lbs. Still high, but I didn't specify in my first mssg.
Ellen, you're one lucky lady with hay being those prices! I don't think we've had small bales costing $2 - $3 since the 80's! We have some wonderful hay fields where we buy ours about two hours north of us. That is what that specific valley specializes in... that and beef. It's gorgeous up there. We also have another haying community about two hours west of us so it's not like they're not near by, just in high demand I guess.
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Post by nrly on Apr 30, 2008 1:05:41 GMT -5
it is that and now the cost of gas, diesel,and seed, and watering it, just allot of things. but what allot of people do not get it is allot of work to be a farmer, rancher, and you really do depend on mother nature. We did when we had hay fields when i was a child.
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Post by DianneC on Apr 30, 2008 9:17:02 GMT -5
When people are worried about keeping their homes and the economy they don't buy things like horses so a lot of the market is gone. And when people give away large numbers of horses because they have overbred it drives the price down. I think that is the real reason people are getting out of breeding. Whether the market comes back or not remains to be seen. Perhaps the election will help. However, there is always a market for top quality horses especially for horses under saddle. The Kiger is becoming more well known and, as they are out showing what they can do, that will only get better.
I know the top Kiger breeder had no foals this year. I'm not planning to breed any mares this year. I've been really fortunate to have had a great job so that I could afford to have horses.
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Post by angelsdream on Apr 30, 2008 9:47:41 GMT -5
Well thankfully I know a guy who cuts hay for a living - I used to board at his farm, so I can get a better deal than most, I pay $3 square bale out of the field. I always go get my hay in the summer when he cuts so it's cheaper and I have it for winter - so I'm not running around looking for hay and paying a lot for it.
Yes Joan, I do see where you can get a well broke - trained horse for what a lot of the kiger's are going for now. I do believe people are little more leary to buy a horse period (no matter what type) because of all the high cost in fuel, hay, food, etc.
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Post by fantasykiger on Apr 30, 2008 12:11:40 GMT -5
I am currently paying $200 a ton for hay that is 2 miles down the road from me. But it is good quality and where in the past, at half the cost, I may have shrugged off an occassional moldy bale at these prices they all better be perfect. I to feel VERY lucky to be able to afford the horses I own. My daughter just purchased another horse as a matter of fact, from a lady who could no longer afford to feed all hers. I do have some horses for sale myself, that I have been sitting on them for awhile as well. But I went into my little breed project as a hobby not a business. Also knowing I could wait for the perfect owner and match for each young horse I have raised here. I also agree that some of the first Kiger breeders are coming of age they are ready to relax with with few favorite Kigers Mustangs and let the next generation of new breeders like Nola and such carry the torch.
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Post by nrly on May 1, 2008 1:01:03 GMT -5
I am going to carry the torch, but I will only put 1 foal on the ground ever 2 to 3 years, Now if someone came up to me and put a deposit down on a Kiger baby I would breed Stormy to Riddle in December for a November baby. since for the most part our winters are not bad. I will not flood the market with to many, I think we have to be really responsible now about breeding.
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Post by fantasykiger on May 1, 2008 13:20:40 GMT -5
I do so agree with your thinking nola. At this point I am only reproducing what I want in the future. Therefore I am rebreeding Fantasy for the a mule that I will keep for myself. John or Molly the next one is mine to keep. Whether or not I reproduce anymore Fantasy horse foals would have to be apon request at this point. I have done my time as a small time hobby breeder and have sold some very nice young horses. I am ready to just work and ride the horses I now own.
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Post by fantasykiger on May 1, 2008 13:22:50 GMT -5
I should mention if I win the lottery....all bets are off. I will burn my money up on horses...LOL ;D
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Post by nrly on May 1, 2008 16:22:21 GMT -5
I know that one tiffany, if I had the money the room I would buy buy buy.
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Post by canadiankigers on May 2, 2008 13:11:51 GMT -5
Hay prices are sky rocketing here in Canada too. [at least in my neck of the woods]. Wild Sage Ranch has chosen to breed several foals up to and including 2010 for a 2011 foal crop. Fortunately, the foals are all spoken for, but if for any reason they do not sell as foals, I am prepared to keep and maintain them. Horses ready to go down the trail are always in high demand and of course a lot more to purchase than if it were a weanling. For the meantime, we will continue to fill the needs of our members.
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I hope everyone is not giving up on the kiger's.
