Why do they do it?

[busymare]

I have been thinking about getting another little shettie as a companion for the first one- I think she would like a friend of a similar size to her . I am looking at the cheap end of the market as will just be a pet/ field ornament and omg there are loads out there. I would prefer a mare but they are all IN FOAL or at least been running with a stallion! Saw one tonight that is only 2 and in foal £65. 7yo well handled in foal £75.

If your mare is worth so little why would you breed from it??? I would have bought any of the ones I have seen if they were NOT in foal. It is just crazy!!!

[sometime]

I would guess they are under the misconception it makes them worth the extra. A very long time ago when the times were much the same as now you used to be able to buy a top notch adult shetland for a fiver and get another young one free in the deal
It horrified me. It is another marketing ploy that the ignorant use they seem to think that a pregant mare is more valuable than a yeld mare

[busymare]

Not sure if is it pessimism or realism but whenever I contemplate one of these mares I think of a dreadful foaling (which minis are prone to) and expensive vet bill followed by hand rearing an orphan foal that would inevitably be a colt! Then you have to geld it which costs more than the foal is worth. That's the sort of bargain I can do without! The only thing there are more of on the market than in-foal mares is colts and stallions (half the time unlicensed). Irresponsible doesn't even cover it.

[NeverSayNever]

Near me is a yard with a field with literally around 100 shetlands in it, it makes me so annoyed everytime I go past because not one would have a stable if something happened.