Small breeder’s perspective – Entry #2 David vs. Goliath, indeed – Richard Zwirn

Life on the farm is a veritable rollercoaster ride.

For every newborn foal, glorious sunrise, strong sale, and racetrack winner—–there, too, is profound disappointment.

In just the last few weeks for instance, we have had to contend with: a continuous saga of an ailing foal; the death (uterine tear) of a beloved broodmare — and the heartbreaking undertaking of assisting an orphaned foal through its distress and confusion; a broken water pump; replacing and painting fence boards–and uncovering a hive of hornets who were none too pleased about the fresh coat (multiple stings); the remnants of a battle between a rat trap and a skunk in the barn—a scuffle from which I will be smelling the effects of for weeks to come; shipping two yearlings to a nearby farm for sales prep – a frustrating two hour ordeal that required a whole lot of patience; a favorite homebred racehorse which, while still competitive on his way to earning some $115K, was shipped to Puerto Rico of all places; and the typical late summer omnipresent burden of flies and manure.

A breeder learns to navigate through a pendulum of good and bad. I’m convinced that no matter how conscientious one’s approach is, there is no escaping it. The thoroughbred is fragile. Their domestication has been a prickly undertaking. A nearby farmer once told me,”Where there’s livestock, there’s dead stock.”

What we as small breeders lack in size/numbers, facilities, breakthrough technology, bottomless pockets, economic efficiencies, and sheer manpower, we try to make up for in a consistent, hands-on, loving, trust-forming approach, where the horse feels at home and experiences a low stress existence. Where a horse can just be a horse. This must count for something—a benefit that a large farm may not be able to offer.

Still, we find ourselves “up against it.” The big outfits have hundred acre paddocks, herds of a dozen or more yearlings, 24 hour vet care, eurocisers, equine swimming pools, automatic waterers, night watchmen, Kentucky bluegrass, indoor arenas, and the list goes on. Probably the biggest factor of all is that their bloodstock is very expensive. Six figure broodmares, commercially bred offspring, and million dollar sires. That’s BIG business. The competition for lil’ ole’ Rainbow Fields and most small breeding operations is fierce. Heck, it’s overwhelming. Lord knows, with limited resources and moderate facilities/stock, we are clearly the underdog. A proverbial “longshot” to succeed. It’s a “Don’t quit your day job,” kind of situation.

But, we have been successful. While we lose a great deal more than we win, the horses are happy. (Plus, it is said that losing builds character.) The land has been put to good use. We help the local economy. A sense of pride and staunch work ethic has been fostered.

Everybody loves their horses. But when you breed and raise a horse — when you pull them from their mommas, “change their diapers,” wipe the snot from noses, go over every inch of their bodies hundreds of times, feed every meal, teach them manners, help build their confidence, console during weaning, watch them play in the season’s maiden snow, load on to their first trailer…that is what forges such an unforgettable connection. They become like one of your children….not just an investment or a thrilling athlete.

When our babies perform well, the excitement from a sporting perspective is unparalleled. To think of all that we had to do and overcome. Our hands-on approach makes it that much more meaningful.

It can be done. One thing I have learned along the way and know in my heart is ——— that a good horse CAN come from anywhere. Even a backyard breeder.