H&C

2
Sep
2010

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Late mares, transitioning and champagne

Dave Shoobridge puts Royaldik through his paces

"What a fortnight! 22 hours of travelling for Lou and the stallions, all sorts of new walk-in and resident stallions, mares still arriving to be bred (yes, in September!), international semen exports, visits of antipodean semen agents... you name it, it has been happening!

Harry takes a fancy

Lou took Grafenstolz and Royaldik to Blair Horse Trials for the stallion parade... 11 hours up there in the lorry, stopping briefly with one of our clients who very kindly put the team up for the night. The boys performed beautifully, and were then joined by Lou’s 14hh coloured show cob gelding Nobby (who had been living in Scotland for over a year) for the journey home... a very interesting collection of horses! Harry (Royaldik) fell in love with Nobby on the way home; a very unusual pairing. Each to their own, though...

Breeding late in the season

Even though it’s now September, we still have mares arriving to be inseminated. It really is too late now, but some mare owners are desperate to have one last try! The problem that arises is when the foals are born; probably in eary-mid August 2011 for the mares that have arrived recently. It means that either the foals must be weaned in the middle of winter when they may struggle to do well on their own due to the cold, wet and windy conditions. Alternatively the foal is left on the mare through the winter, and this may well take a lot out of the mare through the winter. By the time spring arrives, the mare may be in poorer condition that you would like, which may make it difficult to get her back in foal. Mares are also starting to “transition” out of cycling because of shortening day length and colder weather starting to set in... this means they enter a state through autumn and winter where they do not ovulate. Once a mare enters her transition phase, it’s time to give up and try again next year!

A visitor

We also had a visit last week from David Shoobridge – an Australian breeder, semen agent, and dressage rider who came over to look around, meet the stallions, and have a general chat and a bit of a social. He rode a few of the boys while he was here and was utterly blown away by Royaldik... I think he might have tried to smuggle him out of the country in his suitcase if we weren't watching. However, I was utterly disappointed to find that, when we went out to dinner, he flatly refused to drink Fosters! Not because he doesn’t like the stuff, but because he felt embarrassed about being the stereotypical Australian.

Champagne at Burghley

So now it’s continuing preparation for the AI techs’ course in October, freezing yet more semen for export, and breeding the last few mares. We’re off to Burghley this Friday to take the boys to the stallion parade there... it starts at 12.45pm and we will be in the lorry park afterwards ready to answer your breeding-related questions, and to give you a free glass of Champagne. So, if you’re there or can make it down, please come and see us. It would be great to meet you!"