I would have a frank discussion with the vet saying that you fully understand the possibilities of complications and that it would be safer for all humans to have it done locally. I really would not want to go through the shenanigans of halter breaking a stud like that with kids around or even...
8 is a good number. My parents bred boxers and every time it was three or four big puppies. My husbands family bred labs and every time 12 teeni tiny little puppies.
This. My parents took back a 2+ year old intact male boxer, my mom was pregnant with twins at the time so it was not exactly the most convenient thing. However all the pups were so great that my uncle took him the instant he found out my parents had him again. That is the point of good breeding.
He looks good. Told ya he would grow into his legs beautifully. While I think he will still make a nice harness horse his prospects as a dressage horse are sure starting to show.
Hardware cloth over a chain link fence is my preference. Because really if there is something that can tear threw that I d rather have them eat the chickens then tear threw my house to eat me. But cost wise the coated chicken wire is much stronger and far harder to pull apart then the plain...
If you really happen to like a gray stud, simply research his parents and grandparents. If they have skin issues nix that stud. If not use him. AQHA has plenty of grays too, but melanomas rarely seem to be a major issue.
Gray genes are extremely dominant. Horse colors basically work in...
Not all grays have the issue. Like Hypp and Olws in the stock horse breeds you can test for and not breed animals that come up positive. Eventually medical science will get to the point where all genetically predisposed cancers can be caught. The grays I have cared for that had melanomas, well...