STUD FARM DIARIES

Is it a surprise that February marks the beginning of the breeding season for horses in the northern hemisphere? For February is also the month for St. Valentine’s Day, named after the patron saint of lovers. Did you know that St. Valentine’s remains are in Dublin, Ireland? They are — in Whitefriar Street Church. I’ve seen them! St. Valentine’s Day occurs on February 14, the anniversary of his death, and the breeding season characteristically starts the day after on February 15. Coincidence? Maybe St. Valentine should become the patron saint of horse breeding! (Although I think St. George has the head start.)

Early foals are already on the ground, but there are many more months of foaling to come. We have a number of embryo foals coming this year, and I usually treat those mares a bit differently than the other mares. Back in the day, the first embryo transfers were usually done at university centers. It was pioneering technology, and I worked at one of those centers. In those days, the prevailing attitude was that large mares were preferable, as they would have fewer foaling problems. In fact, when I was at university, the first embryo transfer recipients used were draft horses for that reason. It was a good idea in some respects, but when the donor mare was 14 hands,