This is what breeding a foal really costs
Costs associated with breeding
Global Dressage Auction team member Marcel Hekerman has created a formula that quickly gives breeders more insight into what a foal actually costs. We would like to share this formula with you. The variables are:
- Stud fee / Semen costs
- Value of the mare
- Age of the mare (for “depreciation”)
- Monthly costs for keeping a mare
- Veterinary costs in relation to reproduction
- Insurance from pregnancy to foal
- Insurance of the mare
All these variables affect the cost of your future foal.
Calculation example
Time for a calculation example!
Our auction focuses on top genetic material. This has been taken into account in this example.
The imaginary breeder in this calculation has bought a mare who has competed in the international dressage sport. The mare was retired at 14 years of age and has excellent, proven bloodlines. The breeder uses an internationally renowned well-known stallion. He wants to take as little risk as possible and insures both the mare and the foal.
Costs
Studfee: €1.500,-
Semen costs: €500,-
Value mare (purchase price): €30.000,-
Age of the mare: 15
Monthly costs for livery: €300
Insurance pregnancy to delivery: Yes
Insurance brood/surrogate mare: Yes
Total costs of the foal
Dam carries it herself: €15.498,-
Classic ET: €15.969,-
OPU/ICSI/ET: €12.974,-
Conclusion
After all costs are taken into account, it becomes obvious that breeding a foal from genetically interesting parents is fairly expensive.
When it comes to genetically super interesting foals, it is therefore more sensible to buy foals at auction. You save time and money. You have a wide choice of foals of which you know they are interesting. After all, the foal has been selected by experts. Buying top foals at an auction is many times more interesting than trying to breed them yourselves.
