Oh, I'm not saying it's not expensive. It's expensive no matter which way you go. But if you have to breed to the $500 stallion because you can't afford the higher ones, maybe it would be cheaper to just buy a yearling.

I believe if a mare is worth breeding, she's worth breeding to the best stallion, right? Otherwise, maybe she shouldn't be bred at all.

I am of the belief that if you're not breeding for the integrity and improvement of the breed, you shouldn't be breeding at all. Breeding should be done by those who feel it's their responsibility to do so. It's so much easier to go buy a yearling or 2yo, especially at today's prices and with so many to choose from.