The Micanopy, Florida, resident owns and runs Zuidema Pleasure Horses, and dedicates every day to managing his horse farm and preparing his equine clients for futurities and Appaloosa events. Tim owes his Appaloosa involvement to his father, Jack Zuidema, and has been riding since childhood.
“I appreciate the breed because it’s given me the opportunity to make a nice living doing what I like to do,” Tim says. “What I like about the breed is the quality of the upper level horses, because they can go anywhere…It gives you a lot of opportunities.”

Those opportunities have translated to numerous titles and awards, though Tim’s most memorable win was his first major championship win, which took place at the World Championship Appaloosa Show in 1990, when he rode the 1987 mare Totally Clancy to the men’s western pleasure championship.

Though western pleasure is his passion and job, Tim is an avid sports fan and enjoys taking part in his kids’ activities. Daughter Madison recently began showing horses and won her first titles at the 2009 Youth World Championship in 12 and under showmanship and the walk/trot hunter under saddle.
His son, Zack, shares his love of sports. Tim found the time to coach Zack’s baseball team, which had an enormously successful season in 2009, winning all games and the season-end tournament.

Q| Describe your training philosophy.
I believe in working hard to earn what you want; in treating people fairly; and in being honest and patient.

Q| Ford, Chevy or Dodge?
Chevrolet

Q| Who’s the best Appaloosa you’ve ever saddled?
I’d say two: Hands Off My Asset and Maid To Be Hot. Both were talented and trainable enough to show and win on any level. I won World and National western pleasure titles and several NSBA futurities with Hands Off My Asset. Maid To Be Hot had a lot of problems when she was born, but we got her broke then won the World and National 2-year-old western pleasure on her, she was that good. Those were two really nice horses.

Q| What’s your training schedule?
All day is devoted to training and managing the horse farm. At least 12 hours.

Q| What profession would you choose if you couldn’t train horses?
I’d like to be a sports agent. I like all athletic events.

Q| What’s your favorite brand of boots?
Mercedes

Q| What makes you a unique trainer?
I am very patient, and have the ability to deal with different kinds of people and horses.

Q| What can’t you live without: E-mail, cell phone or MP3 player?
Cell phone. I’d love to live without it, but I can’t.

Q| If you could train anywhere in the world,
where would it be?
Ocala, Florida, or Weatherford, Texas

Q| How would you like to be remembered?
As a good manager of horses and people, and honest and professional

Q| What piece of equipment never leaves your trailer?
Halter and lead rope

Q| What’s your favorite Appaloosa coat pattern?
Seal brown with a lacey white blanket over the hips with a white stripe on the face

By Tafra Donberger

Printed version found in the March 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
To receive an info-packed Appaloosa Journal each month, subscribe now!

Although cataracts are frequently considered a process of aging in humans, in horses they’re found at any age, and are the most frequent congenital vision defect in foals. Appaloosas are among the equine breeds that are particularly prone to this inheritable condition.

“Horses manifest varying degrees of blindness as cataracts mature,” says Dennis Brooks, DVM, PhD, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Florida in Gainesville and diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Symptoms: Dr. Brooks says that very small, developing lens opacities are common and not associated with blindness. As cataracts mature and become more opaque, the degree of blindness increases. “If the cataract matures slowly and the horse has time to adapt to this reduction in vision, the owner may not notice any changes in behavior,” Dr. Brooks explains. “But sudden loss of sight due to rapid cataract formation can result in the horse displaying nervousness, shyness, and refusal to perform functions it was trained to do.”

Diagnosis: Since the lens is located deep within your horse’s eye, your veterinarian will need to make the diagnosis with an ophthalmoscope or slitlamp. Dilating the pupils may be necessary.

Treatment: Most veterinary ophthalmologists recommend surgically removing cataracts for foals under 6 months old if the horse is healthy and free of other eye conditions such as uveitis, and if the foal’s personality allows you to apply the drops that must be administered for several weeks before and several months after surgery. This is a significant time commitment for you, the owner.

The most common surgical procedure breaks up and emulsifies the lens nucleus and cortex with an ultrasonic titanium needle in a silicone sleeve that’s inserted into the horse’s cornea through a small incision. The affected lens tissue is then sucked out of the eye.

In foals, results are usually very good. However, in adult horses with cataracts caused by equine recurrent uveitis (also referred to as periodic ophthalmia or moon blindness), results are often poor due to scar tissue forming inside the eye during surgery.

Prevention: Cataracts are inherited, so pedigree analysis is most helpful in prevention.

Editor’s note: Thanks to Dr. Brooks and the American Association of Equine Practitioners for their help with this article. Always consult your veterinarian for advice on diagnosis, treatment and questions about your Appaloosa’s health. Compiled by Diane Rice

Moscow is the starting point for an Appaloosa adventure that will take us to a variety of places—some with pertinent historical meaning, some sharing commonality in name only. So this trip will begin at 2720 W. Pullman Road, only feet from the Idaho-Washington border and where all things Appaloosa converge.

History note: Only 33 miles south of Moscow sits Lewiston, where the very first National Show took place in 1948.

Adjacent to the ApHC building is the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center, a must-visit for any Appaloosa enthusiast. The museum contains a theater, kids’ area and exhibits pertinent to the breed’s history, as well as a live exhibit open from May to October.

George Hatley had long made Moscow his home. He and his wife, Iola, manned the growing Appaloosa registry, first from their home and by 1974, from the current building. But the ApHC didn’t start in Moscow.

History note: Jackson hosted the 13th World Show in 1973.

Continuing to the eastern United States, one could visit Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, around eight hours away from Jackson. FSU has proudly adopted “Seminoles” as the name for university athletic teams (a tribute approved by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and reaffirmed in 2005), and in 1978 a Seminole warrior aboard a horse was introduced at a football game. Since then, the horse has been named “Renegade” and is ridden by “Chief Osceola.” Renegade is depicted by an Appaloosa; Bill Durham, a 1965 FSU graduate, has supplied the horse since 1978. FSU is currently using Renegade V, and the appearance of Renegade and Osceola is a well-loved tradition for home football games.

Renegade is not the only well-known Appaloosa to call Florida home. Many Appaloosa professionals and owners enjoy their horses in the Sunshine State; there are four regional clubs that operate within its sea-lined boundaries. Char-O-Lot Ranch resides in Myakka City; trainers Cindy and Mike Mergaert are in Oxford and Timothy Zuidema is in Micanopy. Of course, to find hundreds of fellow Appaloosa owners, get in touch through regional clubs!
By Tafra Donberger

Full-text version printed in the March 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
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The once-over

Just like picking your horse’s hooves should be part of your pre-ride regimen, a quick once-over of the arena should be done at the beginning of each arena riding session. While you may be eager to ride, just a few minutes of looking can help deter injury to your horse or yourself.

Make a habit scanning the arena floor for debris and small rocks that may have surfaced during prior use. If it’s a shared or public arena, you may find anything from bits of broken equipment to thrown shoes and even the occasional riding crop dropped and forgotten.

If it’s a large arena, you may need to walk not only the perimeter, but also meander through the center as well. As you survey the periphery, be sure to quickly check the arena structure for any damaged or protruding areas that might snag you or your horse as you ride by.

Take a moment to note whether the actual riding surface needs to be groomed. Has the outer portion become compacted while the center is uneven? If so, take the time to drag, or if it’s a shared arena, find someone to help you. Hard, compacted footing may result in joint or ligament injuries, while overly deep or uneven footing can cause missteps, trips, tendon strain and other injuries.

Arena ownership

If you’re maintaining your own arena, you’ll want to do both regular maintenance and occasional overhauls. Appaloosa National and World Show Arena Manager Jack Owen of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, suggest these arena care tips:

Work the arena surface after each day’s use so it’s ready for the next day of riding. “We find that, after testing many different types of ground implements, we prefer the Arena Werks H2O Pro,” Jack says. “This unit rips, tills, finishes and even allows you to apply water while you work your arena.”
Check lighting regularly. Replace worn or fractured bulbs. “People have a tendency to forget about lighting in the arena,” Jack notes. While it seems obvious, it’s not uncommon to suddenly realize you’re riding around practically in the dark.

During the winter months, the arena should be worked every day with a rotary or similar implement. “Sand and compost will keep the soil from compacting during the winter months, and will help retain moisture,” Jack advises.

Give it a yearly reconditioning

Completely overhaul your arena at least once a year. “This would require completely turning the soil and leveling the surface,” Jack advises. “The arena must be moist when this is done.” This is also the time to evaluate footing quality. Jack says an ideal surface would include good topsoil mixed with some sand and, in most cases, some compost. If necessary, add components as needed and rework the soil until you regain optimal footing.

Your annual overhaul is a good time to ensure you complete all the structural repairs that keep getting put off. Replace or mend broken rails, secure gates and hinges, and reinforce posts if needed. Walk along the structure and check for protruding nails, screws or other materials.

Finally, if you have any other structures that you use in conjunction with your arena—such as mounting blocks, tie rails, and bleacher or platform style seating areas—be sure to give them the once over as well.

By Robin Hendrickson with Jack Owen

Printed version found in the March 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
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Yet decades before all this newfangled technology emerged, social networking was the norm in the Appaloosa breed. Instead of Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and other high-tech methods, Appaloosa enthusiasts kept in touch through family ties; a vibrant business community; at shows, races, sales and trail rides; through the fun and friendships of regional clubs; and, of course, the Appaloosa Horse Club’s programs and activities.

Dianne Lindeborn has played an active role in all of these as she’s built and nurtured her breeding operation, Diamond L Appaloosas in Castle Creek, New York. She celebrated 50 years of bond-building passion and dedication to the
spotted breed in 2008.

Inherited bonds

Dianne inherited her horse passion from her grandfather, who grew up in Czechoslovakia, where he raised Polish Arabians. “He came to the United States in 1935,” Dianne says, “and he was my main influence with horses.”
In 1958 Dianne was working young horses at an Arabian farm in New York. The owner brought home an Appaloosa filly. “I was fascinated from the first day by her intelligence and her willingness,” Dianne says. “I went looking for one for myself and found a young filly and a 2-year-old colt, Joker D, whom I gelded,” she adds. “He was a Joker B. grandson and one of the best games horses I ever rode.”

Ten years later, Dianne’s Appaloosa interests had grown to include breeding. She purchased her first Appaloosa stallion, the Bull Lea (JC) grandson Jet Bull, who was also a bottom-side grandson of Buttons B.

Jet Bull was the first in an impressive line of Appaloosa stallions who sired 174 Diamond L-bred performance horses as a result of the kinship Dianne felt to her grandfather’s equine interest.
By Diane Rice

Full-text version printed in the March 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
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Although CEM is found mainly in Europe, cases have recently been diagnosed in the U.S.—including within the Appaloosa and Quarter Horse breeds. CEM is curable and responds readily to treatment, though breeders and health officials are advised to take the disease very seriously.

Local veterinarians must report this sexually transmitted disease to state and federal area veterinarians when suspected or confirmed. CEM impacts breeders by restricting movement to and from affected breeding premises until the treated horses are confirmed free of the bacterium, Taylorella equigenitalis. Many countries have introduced strict import regulations to prevent its introduction into their horse populations.

Symptoms: Metritis is defined as inflammation of the womb, and symptoms in mares include temporary infertility even in the absence of visible signs. The incubation period is from two to 14 days, and some mares develop a vaginal discharge lasting a few days to two weeks within a week or two after breeding. However in some mares, the only sign may be a return to estrus heat after a shortened estrus cycle. Rarely, abortion occurs at about seven months gestation in the affected pregnant mare.

In stallions, CEM bacteria reside in the folds of the external genitalia, particularly the urethral fossa and its associated sinus. It’s largely undetectable without laboratory culture or by breeding to several test mares and culturing them.
Both mares and stallions may be asymptomatic carriers.

Diagnosis: Laboratory tests from swabs of the genital tract can detect T. equigenitalis in culture or through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The organism is difficult to culture because other, faster-growing organisms obtained on the swab can obscure the slower-growing T. equigenitalis.

Treatment: In both the mare and the stallion, treatment includes a combination of scrubbing the external genitalia with an antiseptic such as Chlorhexidine, and applying antimicrobial ointment such as nitrofurazone or silvadene. In most cases, one round of treatment is effective but sometimes two or even three rounds are required.

Prevention: CEM spreads from mare to stallion or stallion to mare in two ways: during mating and through use of contaminated semen during artificial insemination. Isolation of stallions from mares, and treatment that’s confirmed successful by a veterinarian, effectively prevent the disease from spreading.

CEM can also spread congenitally via an infected mare to her foal. And, CEM can spread through contaminated breeding equipment, instruments or handlers, making fastidious breeding hygiene a necessity.

Editor’s note: Thanks to Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Peter Timoney, MVB, PhD, FRCVS of the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center for the information in this article. Always consult your veterinarian for advice on diagnosis, treatment and questions about your Appaloosa’s health.
Compiled by Diane Rice

Printed version in the February 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
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1. Procrastinating on purchases
Failing to keep cheaper-by-bulk items in stock (think hay by the ton) will force you to make a single-item purchase to “get you by.” For example, one 60-pound bale of alfalfa bought at feed store price of $17.50 pencils out to paying $583 per ton. Keep a calendar of what you buy and when, so you’ll know when you’re running low on feed, supplements and horse care products.

2. Skimping on farrier service
Thinking of stretching your horse’s regular farrier visit by a couple weeks? Don’t do it—your horse’s optimal reset (or trim) schedule is anywhere from six to eight weeks. Attempting to save money by letting your horse go longer can create costly problems. Overly-long hooves—whether shod or barefoot—can stress tendons and ligaments. You’re likely to end up paying for an expensive lameness exam instead of plumping your savings account!

3. Taking the first quote
If you’re in the market for a big-ticket purchase, you’ll save money by shopping your needs to multiple vendors, then negotiating your best deal. Other areas of your budget that may benefit from quote shopping include insurance (farm, liability, horse mortality), maintenance repairs (roof, fencing) and auto/trailer repairs.

4. Deferring needed maintenance
Are you thinking that you can get one more season out of your horse trailer before you have the bearings re-packed and brakes serviced? Don’t do it—deferring any maintenance needs that affect the health and safety of you or your horse must stay off the budget-cut table.

5. Taking cheap shots
For advertising, prepare your horse as you would for a show, even if his market is trail riding: bathe and clip him, band (or braid) his mane, and outfit him in your best clean tack. If you’re taking the photo yourself (as opposed to hiring a photographer), study magazine ads for poses that will show your horse at his best, or read “Sale-a-bration” in the February issue of Appaloosa Journal!

6. Stretching the vet budget
Keep current on maintenance such as worming and teeth floating. Trying to stretch a bi-monthly rotation worming to a quarterly basis, for example, can increase your horse’s intestinal parasite infestation, and possibly increase resistance in parasite populations.

7. Making organizational errors
Keep your horse-related records up to date for a tidy budget payoff. Costs for filing stallion reports, registration papers and show entries go up as time goes on. Use a calendar or computer reminder to stay up to date on deadlines.

By Patty Brumley

Printed version in the February 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
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“Many times people have this image in their minds of what they think they should do, and often it’s very different from what the judges want to see,” says Dave Moore, an ApHC and NRHA judge. “People assume speed is the priority, but that is absolutely not the case. The key term is ‘willfully guided.’ We want the horse to be extremely obedient and pleasing to watch. If you can do everything correctly—the lead changes, the circles, the stops, the turns and the changes of speed—you can go a little faster.”
Reining is scored on each individual maneuver, with individual points and penalties adding up to a final score, with an average of 70. Here Dave takes you through ApHC/NRHA pattern 2, and explains what he’s looking for as a judge.

Pattern 2

Pattern 2 runs fast, which is why it’s a favorite of show managers, Dave explains. But there’s no reason to get in a hurry. His best advice is to take your time and perform each maneuver to the best of your horse’s ability.

This pattern is called a walk-in, which means the horse and rider walk into the pen and start from a halt or a walk. Failing to halt or walk before beginning the pattern will result in a 2-point penalty. “As you enter the pen, take a moment to look around and find the center of the pen,” Dave recommends.
By michelle anderson

Start with three lope circles to the right, beginning with a small slow circle followed by two large and fast circles. “It’s important to begin with a well-placed, appropriately sized small circle,” says Dave. Otherwise, you’ll end up with misplaced large circles that aren’t much bigger than the first. “You’ll end up with the whole pattern out of whack, and it’s almost impossible to start with a positive score.”

After the right lope circles, change to the left lead. “This is a relatively complicated maneuver, because you have to transition to a slower speed while changing leads,” Dave points out. Aim to place the speed transition as close to the lead change as possible. Then complete one small slow circle followed by two large and fast circles.

After completing all three circles, change back to the right lead in the center of the arena and continue half way around the circle to the right before turning right, cutting the arena in half lengthwise. Then begin accelerating into a sliding stop. “The key to a really good stop is to build speed,” Dave says. And again, it’s important to place your turn at the top of the circle, he adds, to avoid misplacing the second half of the pattern.

The second half

From the stop, move into a rollback to the right with no hesitation. Accelerate again, completing a second stop followed by a left-hand rollback with no hesitation. Stops have three components: assuming the position of stop (which must take place after the marker), the actual stop and the rollback. Each portion makes up one-third of the maneuver’s score. “Performing a conservative stop with a precise rollback will mark a better score than a huge stop and poor rollback,” Dave says.

The next step is to run past the center markers and complete a sliding stop. Follow the stop by backing up to the center of the arena, at least 10 feet, as it stipulates in the rulebook. Hesitate. Dave recommends using this moment of hesitation to breathe and gather yourself and your horse. Then complete four spins to the right, hesitating before completing four spins to the left. Hesitate again at the end of the last spin, which signals the judge that you’ve finished the pattern.

“Make sure you stop and signal to the judge before you reach forward and pet your horse or grab the horn,” Dave says. Failing to do so can result in penalties.

716.B. To rein a horse is not only to guide him but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of or temporary loss of control and therefore faulted according to severity of deviation. Credit will be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority in performing the various maneuvers will using controlled speed.

From the rulebook

716.C.1. The scoring will be on the basis of 0 to infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. The individual maneuvers are scored in 1/2 point increments, from a low of -1 1/2 to
a high of +1 1/2, with a score of 0 denoting a maneuver that is correct with no degree of difficulty. Scores will be announced after each horse works.

By Michelle Anderson

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While weather and ground conditions may have kept you from riding, they’ve allowed you time to prepare for your spring liberation: You’ve repaired, cleaned and oiled each saddle and bridle, and washed saddle blankets and halters (right?). You’ve spiffed up the barn, stalls and paddocks (right again?). Yet what have you done to prepare your Appaloosa for his approaching trail time?

Here, Lori McCollom Hinkle, owner of After the Reins Massage Therapy for Horse and Rider in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, offers you the benefit of her 20-plus years of experience.

Her Appaloosa roots

Lori didn’t own a horse until she was about 30 years old, but before that she hung around the local stable, trading labor—cleaning stalls, polishing tack, grooming and massaging—for riding privileges.
Seeing the movie “Appaloosa” as a young girl sealed Lori’s Appaloosa fate. “I was smitten,” she says. “From that moment on, I dreamed of someday owning my own Appaloosa.”

That dream became reality in 1993 when “Mercury” entered her life. The gelding carried her ex-husband, Jerry, on several Chief Joseph and Apache Land trail rides. “I’ve always kept Mercury in form and healthy with massage,” Lori says. “He’s had more massage than many people!”

Lori owns three more Appaloosas, none of which was trail-ride ready in 2006, so she borrowed “Tex,” the newly retired 2006 southwest regional champion Appaloosa racehorse, from Kenny and Holly Griggs of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for the Chief Joe. “Tex had never seen or experienced anything other than a racetrack,” Lori says of the powerful 6 year old. “I asked everything from him on those trails and he gave me far more.

“Tex remained balanced emotionally as well as physically, and part of the success of our experience together was due to the massage I gave him at the end of each day’s ride,” Lori adds.
By Diane Rice

Full-text version printed in the February 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
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Mare and stallion owners alike should have clearly defined expectations concerning the horses during breeding. C.L. and Ellen Caines manage stallions at Caines Stallion Station, their facility in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and have years of experience in dealing with both stallions and mare owners. Ellen currently manages nine stallions, including Rebel Jeb Stuart and Willies Neon Moon, and offered her advice on the many ins and outs of breeding.

Click here to download the stallion contract.

Stallion fees

When looking at stallion advertisements, there are often several numbers that are included. Usually, the first charge to jump out is the stallion fee, also referred to as the breeding, introductory or stud fee. This amount is the actual charge to breed the stallion to your mare—the purchase price.

When contacting a stallion owner or manager, a mare owner should establish whether a booking fee is included in the stallion fee. “It’s basically a reservation for you to breed your mare to my stud,” Ellen says. “Back when people were breeding 60 to 80 mares, it let them know how many mares to breed. If you reserve your breeding, they know how many oathers to book.”

Most stallions stand to a limited number of mares now, but the booking fee is your assurance that your mare will be bred. It also allows the wise stallion manager to ensure the health and well being of the stallion. If a booking fee isn’t stated in an advertisement or contract, be sure to ask the manager if it’s included in the stallion fee.

Once the stallion and booking fees are established, inquire about the chute fee. “A chute fee is when an outside party stands a stallion for an owner, and they get a percentage for handling the horse and taking care of business,” Ellen explains.

For example, the chute fee associated with Ellen’s stallions covers the cost of promoting, handling and managing the stallion. “It’s our commission for doing the work,” she explains. “In my business, we take the chute fee from the stud fee.” Be sure to clarify this with your stallion’s manager—some stallion contracts will charge the stud fee and a separate chute fee. It’s important to know all costs associated with the stallion so you’re not surprised when the bill comes.

Finally, find out if you’ll be charged a collection fee for artificial insemination (AI). The contract should explain if the first collection is included in the stallion fee, and whether you’ll be charged extra if your mare requires a second or third shipment of semen. Further, ask the manager if the stallion is collected at his residence or transported to a clinic or another farm, because you may be charged for transportation in those cases.

Mare care

If you’ve selected a stallion that offers live breeding—referred to as live cover—your next inquiry should be the costs associated with her care while at the stallion’s residence. Just as you would pay to board a horse at a trainer’s, you should expect to pay for your mare’s upkeep during the breeding process.
This charge will include feed and daily care, but can also extend to veterinary and farrier services, depending on the length of stay and what your mare needs. Clarify who will be sending the bill when it comes to mare care. If the farm’s veterinarian administers spring vaccinations to your mare, will the vet bill you directly or will the farm include the charges in your monthly bill? Details such as this are important!

You should also note that the charges for a “dry” mare (one without a foal) often differ from a “wet” mare (with a foal at her side). If your mare is pregnant and foals while in residence at the stallion farm, there may be a foaling fee.

If you elect to allow the breeding farm to manage your mare during breeding, be prepared to pay for pre-breeding diagnostic tests. If you’ve elected to breed via AI, be sure to locate a qualified veterinarian with experience in conducting artificial insemination, because it’s a time-sensitive procedure.

In either situation, make sure your mare undergoes a breeding soundness examination to identify and correct any problems that may interfere with breeding, conception and pregnancy. Your veterinarian should also collect cultures during the examination and ensure your mare’s reproductive organs are clean.

A stallion contract often includes a clause that requires the mare to be healthy and in sound breeding condition, so conducting these exams is beneficial to your negotiations with the stallion manager. Check the contract to ensure your mare meets all expectations.

A live foal

Because the foal is the goal, nearly every stallion owner offers a live foal guarantee (LFG). “Everyone has their own version,” Ellen says. “Mainly, it means your foal stands and nurses on its own for 24 or 48 hours.” The LFG will be included in the contract and should be closely examined.

Contracts often outline exactly what is required to ensure that the LFG is honored, including the time in which the mare owner is to notify the stallion owner/manager of foaling (usually within 48 hours) or if the mare is sold, which may void the LFG.

In the event a live foal isn’t produced, most stallion owners will give a return service for the subsequent breeding season as long as all contract conditions were met. If any questions arise regarding this guarantee, be sure to ask the stallion manager. “Every stud owner wants to give that mare a foal,” Ellen says. “Sometimes things happen. Most people are very good about honoring [the live foal guarantee]…I want everybody to have a baby.”

A contract should include a clause detailing that each party agrees to carefully try to settle the mare, or, in other words, successfully impregnate her. It will often include that the stallion’s farm and/or manager isn’t responsible for injury, sickness, death or disease of the mare, so it’s in your best interest that your ensure your mare is healthy and ready to be bred.

Sealing the deal

Just as your mare is expected to be in good health, so too should the stallion. Don’t be afraid to ask the stallion manager about the stallion’s sperm quality, motility or conception rates before you sign the contract. Ellen keeps records on the stallions under her management, and is happy to share information with mare owners.

Each stallion is different in regard to sperm quality, especially when breeding via AI. Many stallion owners will have a veterinarian’s statement on semen quality to review; a manager should be knowledgeable enough to inform you of how well the stallion’s semen ships, or if more than one breeding session will occur. “It’s good business to be honest,” Ellen says. “I know of a Quarter Horse whose owners will tell you he’s a bad breeder, that he won’t ship well. This horse breeds a lot of mares, but they’re up front about him.”

Be sure you understand all contract specifications, and again clarify anything contained in the contract with the stallion’s manager. Be aware of payment schedules and make note of when your fees are due. Ellen won’t ship semen until the payment is received in full. If a mare is on site, the owner is billed monthly.

It’s important to acknowledge that every stallion contract will contain different language, so be sure you evaluate each contract on an individual basis. If you do your part as a mare owner, you only serve the greater goal of having your next Appaloosa on the ground the following spring.

Editor’s note: Comment on this story below. Thanks to Ellen Caines for her help with this article!

By Tafra Donberger

Full-text version printed in the February 2010 issue of Appaloosa Journal.
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