I must say I have really enjoyed reading this topic.
Years ago I raised pintos, just for enjoyment, with only one or two foals a year. Then I decided to stop and got rid of just about all my mares except for a couple. Just when my husband was smiling a little to much, I got the wild hair to go appaloosa.
I knew nothing about them except as a young girl had one for riding and always loved them. Can't really explain why rationally (ha!), at this late stage in my life, that I decided to do it.
I can really relate to Kim, for after searching high and low for over a year and a couple of deals gone south, three years ago, I located the stallion I thought would help me the most. I could not afford the appy mares I liked and didn't want the ones I could afford. After sinking a lot into this stallion I too was told he was a gray and should get rid of him. I was blown away but at that point couldn't afford to do much else but keep him. Also, I fell in love with him and didn't want to get rid of him. I decided to breed him as I had these mares and no other stallion. Felt I had a 50/50 chance of color and later could geld him. The three fillies that came were beautiful in conformation and color. Two were outstanding in color. The prettiest black got googles at birth and I cried for I just knew she would gray out. I contacted Jennifer at Hairicane (for I always loved her horses) and though she didn't know me talked me off the ledge. I learned some appy foals have these (if for sure no gray gene) and that these usually fade and then go on to be near or full leopards. Sure enough by 3 months, no googles and she clipped out to be a near leopard.
Anyway not one gray foal. Then the gray test came out and I had GB tested and guess what....NO GRAY GENE.
Being a small breeder, after finding homes this year for the last of my pinto mares, I still wanted both the color and conformation so have brought in a solid mare to breed next year with Siera Dawn and Super Charger blood hoping for just this. I feel like if I can, even if it means bringing in a solid to breed, in order to get better conformation, that then these foals can go into a pure appy breeding program and help it.
I didn't breed last year for I was so worried about the ecconomy and didn't want to be desperate to find homes for my babies. All year I have be emailed and called about do I have any for sale...lol! So taking a leap of faith I bred for next year.
I to am an admirer of DRK and Hairicane horses.
Years ago I raised pintos, just for enjoyment, with only one or two foals a year. Then I decided to stop and got rid of just about all my mares except for a couple. Just when my husband was smiling a little to much, I got the wild hair to go appaloosa.
I knew nothing about them except as a young girl had one for riding and always loved them. Can't really explain why rationally (ha!), at this late stage in my life, that I decided to do it.
I can really relate to Kim, for after searching high and low for over a year and a couple of deals gone south, three years ago, I located the stallion I thought would help me the most. I could not afford the appy mares I liked and didn't want the ones I could afford. After sinking a lot into this stallion I too was told he was a gray and should get rid of him. I was blown away but at that point couldn't afford to do much else but keep him. Also, I fell in love with him and didn't want to get rid of him. I decided to breed him as I had these mares and no other stallion. Felt I had a 50/50 chance of color and later could geld him. The three fillies that came were beautiful in conformation and color. Two were outstanding in color. The prettiest black got googles at birth and I cried for I just knew she would gray out. I contacted Jennifer at Hairicane (for I always loved her horses) and though she didn't know me talked me off the ledge. I learned some appy foals have these (if for sure no gray gene) and that these usually fade and then go on to be near or full leopards. Sure enough by 3 months, no googles and she clipped out to be a near leopard.
Anyway not one gray foal. Then the gray test came out and I had GB tested and guess what....NO GRAY GENE.
Being a small breeder, after finding homes this year for the last of my pinto mares, I still wanted both the color and conformation so have brought in a solid mare to breed next year with Siera Dawn and Super Charger blood hoping for just this. I feel like if I can, even if it means bringing in a solid to breed, in order to get better conformation, that then these foals can go into a pure appy breeding program and help it.
I didn't breed last year for I was so worried about the ecconomy and didn't want to be desperate to find homes for my babies. All year I have be emailed and called about do I have any for sale...lol! So taking a leap of faith I bred for next year.
I to am an admirer of DRK and Hairicane horses.