Breeding Incentives?

[crownridgefarms]

I think with the shaky economy, many breeders have been coming up with inventive ways to encourage more mare owners to breed to their stallions. Discounts, foal showing pay-backs, half price stud fees etc.

Just wondering which breeding incentives you think actually work (or if they work). I know a few breeders who don't do any discounts (not even returning client) and they continue to book the same amount of mares every year.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's input.

[sixpoundfarm]

I think if you can pass along a savings (in whatever form you can manage) to your clients, its a great way to thank them for their support, and keep them as clients for years to come.

[crownridgefarms]

I can see that. I can also see it being a deciding factor if the mare owner had two favourite stallions and could not decide which one she/he liked more.

Mare owners - care to chime in and tell us your favourite incentives?

[quicksilverponies]

I think incentives are important for some mare owners - especially in today's economy. We offer return and multiple mare discounts, and substantial discounts to mares with proven show records or outstanding pedigrees. I think oftentimes that is the case with many stallion owners, but the mare owners probably have to call to get specifics vs. the stallion owner offering an open discount policy available to just any mare. JMO

[Iron Horse Farm]

My favorite incentives are .....

#1. Pay stud fee when mare checks in foal

#2. Pay 1/2 up front, other half when mare checks in foal

It just seems like a double disapointment when the mare doesn't get in foal and you are also out the $$.

[Summerwood]

As a mare owner, I appreciate a multiple mare discount or a returning mare discount. Actually if it isn't offered I am a little put off by that, especially in light of the way youngstock are selling these days. I also appreciate early bird deals. There is one breeder (I think it is the one who owns Redwine and maybe Silver Creek too) who does different percentages off by certain dates (ie 50% by Jan 1, 40% by Feb 1, etc). I thought that was a good idea and makes people think they are at least getting some kind of a discount, and it is entirely dependent on THEM and their pre-planning. As far as the mare qualifying for a discount, I think it is a good idea, but not sure how well a mare owner will take it if their mare is not approved for the discount. You may be better off doing something cut and dry just so you don't have that headache. Maybe I am wrong here?

[propspony]

The percentages are Silver Creek, and I love them! I'm kicking myself for not taking advantage of them! :-)

[ponygirl]

My favorite incentives are .....

#1. Pay stud fee when mare checks in foal

#2. Pay 1/2 up front, other half when mare checks in foal

It just seems like a double disapointment when the mare doesn't get in foal and you are also out the $$.

I worked with a stallion owner who did something very much like this. It was very nice! Also, I guess France is doing something along these lines now.

[EquusMagnificus]

My favorite incentives are .....

#1. Pay stud fee when mare checks in foal

#2. Pay 1/2 up front, other half when mare checks in foal

It just seems like a double disapointment when the mare doesn't get in foal and you are also out the $$.

Share the wealth! :winkgrin:

Which stallion owners offer these fantastic incentives?

[Signature]

We like early booking percentages like Silvercreek and Grayfox do (those that I know of).

We also appreciate stallion owners that will give deals for quality mares, proven producers, or knowing the babies will be shown, etc.

[clint]

My favorite incentives are .....

#1. Pay stud fee when mare checks in foal

#2. Pay 1/2 up front, other half when mare checks in foal

I have never bred to a stallion whose owner offered that discount, and I would love it. I also like the early booking discount; actually, any discounts stallion owners care to offer make me smile.

[TWF]

We dropped the booking fees this year and give discounts for proven and premium mares. I work with MOs to have the foals registered. My newest incentive....I will pay the USEF fees to ensure the lifetime registry of the foal!

[gortmore]

We have moved to booking fee up front and then 1/2 stud fee when mare checks in foal and balance due on live foal. We also offer discounts for returning breeders and multiple mares.

[MagicRoseFarm]

We give incentives of several kinds, early discounts, return and multiple discounts, winning foal discounts etc..

Our stud fee continues to drop for each subsequent return, until after 8 foals, you only pay booking fee and No stud fee.

If a mare owner asks for any special considerations, most SO's will always at least think about/consider it ... so ASK....

[Beentheredonethat]

I do very little breeding and don't have a stallion. My number one concern is the stallion I want. It's too expensive to raise a baby for a discount on a stallion I don't want.

That said, I got all the goodies from Dreamscape Farm. I didn't need to, but can pay half, and then the other half at something like 90 days in foal, early booking fees. And last minute last year I decided to rebreed, and she gave me a discount anyway. So, that certainly endears me to someone who has what I want AND is the best bargain out there.

[pwynnnorman]

Free? :D

Just joking, although I've been quite grateful for all who have offered. Like Beentheredonethat wrote, incentives don't work if it's just not the stallion or kind of stallion you are looking for.

I must admit, though, as a mare owner ANY incentives make me feel a whopper lot better about the people standing behind the stallion, especially these days. I hear so many horror stories about insensitive stallion owners. I know that, oftentimes, we mare owners deserve what we get, but I, personally, am just sick and tired of shoddy customer service everywhere in this country. It seems to be a growing epidemic.

So it's nice to see SOs reaching out. I like to think that that means they care, especially in this economy. Ones who don't, to me (just writing frankly about my impressions--I'm not generalizing at all), either don't care or don't need to care, and the manifestations of such (in atttitude) I just don't want to deal with these days.

[Cloverbarley]

For mare owners with just one or two mares perhaps incentives are not as valuable than for those mare owners with multiple mares to breed. I personally pay the stallion fees in full up front, however incentives like the early bird ones are not wasted on me ;), which is why I pay all upfront providing I believe I have found the right stallions for my mares.

You know what I have found to be the best incentive? Firstly, obviously to have nice stallions who will compliment my mares, but secondly is to have a really nice stallion owner to work with. All of my semen this year is coming from one farm and I have to say they have been absolutely wonderful throughout the whole process.

I had a number of other stallions on my short list, and you know, money, although obviously a consideration, was not my whole motivation on which stallion to use, it was having trust in the stallion owner to provide exactly when the need arose and to have a good working relationship with that person.

[rideagoldenpony]

We give incentives of several kinds, early discounts, return and multiple discounts, winning foal discounts etc..

If a mare owner asks for any special considerations, most SO's will always at least think about/consider it ... so ASK....

This. :yes: :yes: :yes:

[showjumpers66]

Silverwood Farms has had some great discount programs in place for many years. Silver Creek Farms started the early bird discounts, I think in 2006. Gray Fox also began offering the same program during the last two years. In addition to the early bird discounts (start at 50% and graduate each month), we also offer a 10% multiple mare discount for 3 or more mares booked. This is a huge discount to mare owners as they can basically breed to one of our stallions for $500 (which includes the first dose of frozen or fresh semen with the stud fee). We also try to keep our collection fees reasonable.

To simplify our frozen semen contract, it is the same as our fresh semen contract. The mare owner pays the stud fee and gets the first dose of semen with the stud fee (3 large straws, one for pre, one for post, and one for "just in case"). If they need additional doses, each dose is the same price as a fresh semen collection.

Each year we do a free breeding contest.

I have pretty much discontinued donating to auctions. We would rather extend the savings on directly to the mare owners.

I tried doing a pay later contract in the beginning, but it was very difficult collecting the money.

I tried to do a 25% performance/premium mare discount, but it was offending so many mare owners that it just wasn't worth it. In my opinion, a premium mare is a mare that has earned premium mare status at a major breed inspection or has produced an approved stallion son or a premium daughter. A performance mare has had success at the Grand Prix level of jumping or dressage, upper levels of eventing, or numerous championships in the 3'6" divisions or higher in the hunters. Even though I had made the guidelines clear, mare owners were offended that their mare did not qualify.

We also have a new program in the works for 2010 ... more to come soon!

I am interested in hearing other ideas that you may have!

[grayfox]

I think incentives are fun for everyone. I do a stud fee discount in the winter, a holiday trivia contest for free and discounted breedings. I also give free breedings in the monthly newsletters. I also give cash incentives for showing the babies on the line. I give discounts to show mares and multiple mares. I'm always looking for new ideas on contests or programs.

[AdAblurr02]

We have always offered a significant discount for multiple mares - discount grows as the number of mares grows, too!

Our contract gives us the right to approve a mare on quality - we do not believe that breeding a so-so mare to any good stallion is the way to get good babies. I know of an SO who was once referred to (not by me!) as "breeding everything and the barn cat" to her horse - not doing the stallion's rep nor the breed any favors with that tactic.

Basically we bust our butt to make it happen for our mare owner clients. Isn't that how it should be?

[TWF]

Free? :D

I must admit, though, as a mare owner ANY incentives make me feel a whopper lot better about the people standing behind the stallion, especially these days. I hear so many horror stories about insensitive stallion owners. I know that, oftentimes, we mare owners deserve what we get, but I, personally, am just sick and tired of shoddy customer service everywhere in this country. It seems to be a growing epidemic.

So it's nice to see SOs reaching out. I like to think that that means they care, especially in this economy. Ones who don't, to me (just writing frankly about my impressions--I'm not generalizing at all), either don't care or don't need to care, and the manifestations of such (in atttitude) I just don't want to deal with these days.



Experience as a customer counts! Some stallion owners were mare owners long before they owned stallions. Having bred horses my whole life and been on the receiving end of some weird situations or downright deceptive deals.....it pays to walk a mile in the mare owner's danskos!

A SO should want only the best for both sides of the equation..if it's not right for the mare or stallion... a less than desirable foal will never be right for anyone.

[ShannonD]

Share the wealth! :winkgrin:

Which stallion owners offer these fantastic incentives?

I believe Virginia Tech does this with Royal Appearance. Also Amorex.

[Hilltop Farm Inc]

Hilltop Farm also offers a number of breeding discounts and rewards programs for our breeders. Discounts can be stacked in most cases, so its not uncommon to see our breeders get a fairly substantial discount. For example, you could receive a return breeder discount, a premium mare discount, and a premium producer discount (a total of 30% off their contract).

10% Quality Incentive Discounts:
Premium, Elite Mare Candidate, Elite, or Keur Mares
Premium Producing Mares
Mares must have produced 3 premium offspring
Performance Proven Mares
Performance proven mares must be proven at FEI-level dressage, High Preliminary Jumpers, or CCI** Level Eventing, Regular or Conformation Working Hunters

Multiple Mare Discounts:
First mare will be booked at full price. Additional mares receive 10% off.

Return Breeders:
10% discount for returning breeders.

Early Booking:
10% discount for contracts booked prior to December 31st, 2009.


We've established our discounts on a percentage, as opposed to a flat fee, because of a wide range of stud fees ($900-$2000). We use the same contract for cooled and frozen semen and for all the stallions we market.

I prefer to see us extend discounts to exceptional mares and loyal breeders, and hence have less of a focus on the early booking discount, but do still offer it through Dec 31st. We also occassionally will run a special discount for contracts booked at an event, etc.

Hilltop Farm also offers a Breeders Award Program, initiated in 1996, which awards our breeders annually for outstanding competitive success with their Hilltop Farm stallion offspring by offering Award Certificates towards future breedings to a Hilltop Farm stallion. Breeders do not need to be the current owner of the horse to be eligible for these awards.
o Breeders whose offspring win at the USDF/GAIG Championship Series Finals, a USDF Regional Championships, or the USEA Future Event Horse Finals earn a $200 Award Certificate for a Championship Finish, and a $100 Award Certificate for a Reserve Championship.
o Breeders whose offspring win the USEF/Markel Dressage Young Horse Finals, IJF Finals, IHF Finals, the USEA Young Event Horse Finals, or USDF All-Breeds Awards earn a $300 Award Certificate for a Championship Finish, and a $200 Award Certificate for a Reserve Championship.
o Breeders of USDF Horse of the Year Champions, USEF/USHJA Zone Champions, or USEA Year-End Award Champions earn a $400 Award Certificate for a Championship Finish, and a $300 Award Certificate for a Reserve Championship Finish.

[TouchstoneAcres]

I offer early booking discounts: 10% by 2/28; 5% by 3/31, and multiple mare discounts, since 2006. Non-Lipizzan mares are 47% off (800 instead of 1500.) Last summer I offered postponement of the stud fee till the mare is in foal.
This economy does it make hard for mare owners.

[VirginiaBred]

I think Richard Taylor has some of the most progressive incentives for pony breeders there are.

See www.venturestable.com for all the incentives!

[FMulder]

I was a mare owner before I became a stallion agent, before I became a stallion owner, and I certainly walked a couple of miles in my clients shoes.

Attracting new clients via print advertising is now vitually a waste of time, the internet and our website is now the second best method of getting new clients. The number one is to look after the clients you have, and if a potential client calls you do what you need to get the sale, but within reason.

We give second mare discounts: 10% off for the second mare, 15% for the third and 20% thereafter, BUT only if the client pays all in one go.

At the moment we have received a big response to "Early bird" 10% offers.

Sell by dates always work well: at the moment we are selling the new Baloubet and Canturo deals (only in UK and Ireland, so not really an advert here!) like there's no tomorrow, but then Baloubet fresh for 2000€ with 2 years returns is something you'd always pay up front for I guess, and the clients are more than happy to pay by the 15 April.

Also, if any of our UK clients take youngsters from any of or stallions to the Futurity, we deduct the entry fee from next years breeding fee. The benefits are obvious to everyone.

I tend to prefer to do "business" rather than "deals", where I will reduce the fee, but I also get something back. That way I retain the integrity of the stallion, without cheapening him. A mare owner just rocking up with one mare and asking for 50% off tends not to get what they want.

[spotsinabox]

A good thread . . .it is challenging, and I think some good points have been made.

I'm kind of a carrot in the middle of the pea patch here -- but I try to keep my stallion nominated to the more popular 'incentive funds' offered by the APHA and NSBA -- in hopes that mare owners appreciate those programs which will hopefully make their foals more marketable.

I also like to offer early booking discounts . . . or free or discounted mare care on occassion.

I've always stayed away from offering discounts on the mares --for the very reason one person mentioned --for fear of offending the mare owners.

And as someone else mentioned, there's a fine line between being flexible --without cheapening your stallion.

It's always interesting to hear of the different ideas-- but I agree it has to be a win-win situation for both mare and stallion owners.