That Smarts!

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to a working Kentucky Horse Farm. The one we toured was called “Three Chimneys Farm”. It was a relatively short visit – they took us to the stallion division only. This farm breeds and raises thoroughbreds, and the breeding fee to bring a mare in for one of their champion stallions is $100,000! The most well known stud in residence is the undisputed 2004 Kentucky Derby winner, Smarty Jones. They say that in Smarty’s first year there, he sired 90 foals, and that, on average, each stud is bred with the mares about 150 times in a season (which runs from mid-February through mid-July). When we got off the bus, it was just sweltering! They took us past a memorial to Seattle Slew (who used to be in residence there), and into the Breeding Room. This is a large round room with padding on all of the walls, and 14” of shredded rubber tires on the floor. It felt like walking on a trampoline. The tour guide explained to us that the Breeding Room is a very controlled environment into which the mares are brought to be mated with the stallions. There are cameras at all angles and a control room, because everything must be fully documented. When the foal is born, hair is taken from the forehead and it is DNA tested to prove the parentage. Once the foal is able to walk and nurse, the breeding fee is transferred from escrow to the Three Chimneys Farm. After the Breeding Room, they took us to the room that has the stalls for the stallions. There were 7 or 8 horses in there, each in his own stall with his name on the door. It is really strange to think that you’re standing in a room with animals who will earn more in one breeding season than you will ever earn in your lifetime. As you can imagine, most of the horses were getting a little excited as we entered the area. Breeding season has just ended, and so they are used to having to “perform” when humans come in to the stable to get them. For a city girl, it was quite a sight! Then the moment we had all been waiting for. The handler went into Smarty Jones’ stall, brushed him to make him all pretty, and then put a lead on him and brought him out into the center of the room. He (and all the rest) was truly a beautiful creature. Just perfect looking. But, remember, I told you that when they are brought out, they are conditioned to go into the Breeding Room next door…..Whoa, Nellie. I thought we were going to have to surgically reset Ternisa’s eyes back into her head! The next few pictures document our visit.