05/12/08 Overbreeding repercussions

The high cost of feed and fuel has hurt the horse industry, but so has over breeding. I'm Jeff Keane and I'll be back with more on the state of the horse market. Many average income Americans are finding it hard to afford horses, couple this with a glut of "average" horses, and the demise of the US slaughter market and is it any wonder the price for horses is low. Here is Susan Allen with some insight. Jeff we are all quick to blame the back yard breeder but the breed associations that allow more than one foal registered a year from the same mare hurt the industry as well. One can only wonder the long term effect on the inventory of young horses when one mare can produce 30 or more foals in her lifetime through embryo transplants. While premier horse sales are reporting a continued market for well broke geldings with the exception of the race industry, breeders throughout the US are practically giving quality yearlings and unbroken horses away. Elite reining and cutting horses continue to command high prices but for how long? Some annalists predict a scenario not unlike what the Arabian horse industry experienced in the 80's when during its zenith they registered 30,000 foals in one year. Today the number of registered Arabians has fallen to around 7000 a year. Susan, those of us in the business of raising horses need to "revisit" our breeding practices and marketing plans to help ensure the future profitability of our industry. I'm Jeff Keane.