Or just use quality broods. Brood market isn't great right now so you can get good ones for not a lot. Plus there's always a contest or club giveaway for broods/mares, so you can get something nice on a budget :)
Correct. And if you're starting with EEEs my recommendation is to search the TBLB and find the stud that's highest on the board that will allow EEE mares and just be persistent. Use items if you can as you continue to try breed up