"We haven't asked him at this point to jump a mare. But Barbaro's close

[trumad]

I didn't know horses had to be asked?

:shrug::shrug:

<snip>
Doctors have said that Barbaro will never race again, but that they were working to save his life and possibly preserve him as a stallion. His breeding future, however, remains uncertain.

"We haven't asked him at this point to jump a mare. We don't even know yet if the horse is fertile," Richardson said Wednesday. "That's great if he ends up being a breeding stallion. ... That's icing on the cake if we get that far."
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=2696782

[aquart]

1. I am irrationally glad he's recovering.

[trumad]

2. So am I...he's a beautiful animal.

[Vinca]

9. Me, too. It's a grain of good news in a beach full of sorrow. nt

[Redstone]

3. Good deal. That's a horse with a lot of heart.

Redstone

[LWolf]

4. There is a certain amount of "asking" in live covers.

Thoroughbreds have to use "live cover;" no AI allowed.

Mares "invite" stallions when their cycle is at the right place. Stallions, eager as they are, "ask" first. At least they do if they're smart. A mare who didn't say "yes" can do some damage with those hooves.

I know a stud whose jaw was broken last spring. A serious thing for an animal that has to process copious amounts of roughage.

Of course, safety measures are in place. Even more so for Barbaro; they can't take any chances of him getting bumped a little!

If he weren't a thoroughbred they'd collect semen and do AI; he'd never have to mount a mare or even a "mounting" block. As it is, I wouldn't expect him to "work" in the coming breeding season.

[MuseRider]

5. You beat me to it!

Hi LWolf!

As someone who has been involved in collecting semen from a stallion I can say that live cover is easier on humans and the animals alike. We let them mount but grabbed them before insertion with a fake vagina. It was lots less than fun and not something I will willingly do again.

I did not know that Thoroughbreds had to be live bred. Interesting. With the Quarters they are beginning to have enough problems that they are doing DNA analysis on some show horses, maybe most by now. Since I decided that showing was not by bag I lost track of all the rules, someone else can probably answer that. Sheesh.

I am happy about Barbaro, very happy to hear about his recovery. You may ask him and he may be willing but the mare has the last word.

[Berry Cool]

6. Hmm. I like that setup.

I think the horses have the right idea. :-)

[LWolf]

8. I have a friend with a tb stud; a retired race horse.

Like many tbs, he was retired after breaking a coffin bone when he was 5. He's decently bred, and very well put together. He was given to my family to rehabilitate. They did, although he never had a real breeding career. They traded breedings for vet services, and other things non-wealthy retirees have to fund. When they decided they were too old to manage a farm, they moved and sent him to some neighbors who expressed an interest. My friend picked him up from these people when they didn't want him anymore. She's been trying to develop a real breeding career for him. Very difficult in these late years; he has no get registered with the Jockey Club to show for his life after racing!

It's a good thing he is a gentleman; she is a little slip of a thing handling him when he covers mares, and he is, well, tb sized! Personally, I didn't want to "improve" my horses with any more tb; too hot for my tastes. My own family horses are a comfortable combination of qh, tb, and mustang. The only registry they are elible for is pinto, which is fine. I just have to get some spots every couple of generations, and we can breed to whatever we like.

[MuseRider]

10. Yes

I like my quieter Quarters. I am not interested in stallions but I love my mares and they can be quite hot to be around at times but I understand them, lol.

I helped that same friend when she was showing her stallions, it was enough for me. When they are not good and quiet I just do not have the patience to try to hold and control and stud horse around an arena full of mares. She is now recovering from getting a smashed face, after having her thumb bit off, after having her leg broken and she is pretty careful. Not for me.

I bred my mares, got some good foals and then the bottom dropped out of the market around here. So I have my young mares still with me. It seems you must breed early and often these days to be able to make any money or have any interest at all, gotta have get with show points. Not for me. I just want to ride and care for them, they are my buds.

[LWolf]

13. Me, too.

My only reason for breeding is sentimental; to pass the family line on down to family that comes after me.

[bklyncowgirl]

7. Great news for Barbaro and his thoroughly classy human family

I've been following this story as it unfolds and have been impressed with this horse's courage, intelligence and adaptability and the devotion of the people around him.

I've read that if his leg won't stand the stress of breeding that the Jacksons are considering sending him to the Kentucky Horse Park where Cigar and John Henry live in considerable luxury so that his fans can visit him.

[Bake]

11. Hey Barbaro ... get you some!

I'm so glad Barbaro's doing well! What a beautiful animal. Now just get on out there and do your thing, baby!

Bake

[cwydro]

12. I'm so glad.

I never thought he would make it. Bravo to that vet!

[rug]

14. Oh, so horse sex threads are ok.