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From
the Distaff Side of the Fence ~
A Mare Owner's Viewpoint
by Suzi Morris
© 1996
(Reprinted from the Southern California
CMK News Summer 1996)
Have you ever loaned
someone your most treasured possession and had it returned to you in even better
condition? I had that experience recently, and my highest praise and
gratitude go to Dick and Sandy Warren on their care of keeping of my mare
HAAPEY PICO (Haat Shaat x Jolley Pico). She was returned to me in even
better condition than when I left her with them; she was bright eyed,
content, sleek, in perfect weight, and not a scrape or scratch in sight to
indicate she had even ever been off a pillow of lace and finest satin,
much less been through the ordeals of foaling and mothering a 100 lb.
colt. As a result, I would never hesitate to entrust a horse into the
Warren's care, and I hope they ask me to do this again.
Yet, I cannot help but
think of those other stallion owners who are out there wondering and
complaining about the lack of outside breedings coming in to their ever so
fine stallions. Has it dawned on those owners to look around their place
and see what facilities they are offering to the visiting mare? Is
housekeeping of stalls, ground, and pastures as meticulous as it can be?
Are the safety and welfare of the visiting mare of priority concern and do
you reassure that mare owner of such things? Can you prove that you will
take good care of the visiting mare by showing off your grounds, your
horses the exact place where your mare will be stabled? Have your
demonstrated or explained the methods your will use during the mare's stay
with you? Have you ever thought that some mare owners are so particular
that they are not breeding to your stallion just simply because they are
afraid of leaving her with you no matter how great, grand, and
glorious the stallion is and foal might be?
These precious
broodmares and your customer's concerns should hold vital priority for you
while they are in your custodial care. Let them know how much you do care.
Take those extra steps, the ones beyond the breeding contract, by
listening to them and making their needs your needs, by offering your
gracious hospitality, by answering honestly and forthrightly their
questions, by keeping your verbal and written word on promises made, and
by keeping a vigilant watch on their mare's health and safety. Do these
things and you will have the solid beginnings for years and years of a
mutually satisfying business relationship or better yet, a genuine and
lifelong friendship. Extend yourself, go for the joy and reward of that
parting goodbye comment from your customers, that one statement that makes
even the poorest man rich: "I'm so glad I've done business with
you."
Thank you again, Dick
and Sandy. HAAPEY PICO misses you, your grandson, and her life in The
Forest!
Dick and Sandy Warren Saying Good-Bye to Haapey Pico
(Suzi Morris also in background) July 1996.
Photo courtesy of William R. Morris
© 1996
(Editor's note:
Summer Issue, 1996): Suzi Morris serves as editor of the newsletter and owns two
CMK mares and a CMK gelding of Old California breeding. Her first glimpse
of Haapey Pico was in a pasture at the Hearst Ranch in 1982, and Suzi
thought that she was the most beautiful filly that had ever galloped this
green Earth. That memory never faded. Twelve years later the mare came
unexpectedly back into Suzi's life for keeps. The Warrens are so proud of
the colt that resulted from this breeding to Aulrab that they bestowed the
honor of Ibn Aulrab upon him and have highest hopes and expectations
for him to be their future herd sire. Win, Win were the words on this Lease! ~spm)
Times
do change! This "Editor's Note" brings back fondly treasured
memories. ~spm (01/21/04) |
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