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First off, the Registry update indicated that only
1% of its foals currently are ET foals--so those who avail themselves of
multiples will be only a fraction of that 1%. With the costs of
maintaining recipient mares, synchronization, veterinary aspects, etc. that go
into ET being in the neighborhood for $4000 to $6000 or more per attempt
(success not guaranteed), this is not economically rewarding for the most
part--one has to really WANT a foal out of that particular mare. I can see
the application for this with regard to some of the bloodlines that have been
nearly wiped out by fad breeding in the last quarter of a century, but one
really has to be looking at the LONG run and be dedicated to doing it in order
to even consider the expense involved.
As to competing in endurance on pregnant mares--it
isn't a problem at all, and I've competed up to the 8th month quite
nicely. I'd rather endurance ride on a pregnant mare than barrel race or
some other sports where the horse is more apt to slip and fall, and where
fractions of seconds count. I personally am more concerned about using ET
to get around competitive careers than almost anything else, as we are already
seeing tendencies in many breeds toward a masculinization of mares, with a
reduction in maternal qualities. I'd far rather use it to try to get a
foal out of an older mare (not always feasible because it is often the ovum
itself that is damaged, not just the older reproductive system) or out of mares
who have had damage to their reproductive tracts through no fault of their
own.
Will I avail myself of this option? I don't
see an immediate need on the horizon, but lemme tell you, if I'd had the
finances available last year, I'd've sure given it consideration, when I was
working so hard to get a foal crop on the ground by a stallion that was
virtually the last of his sire line. He was crippled as a yearling (pulled
his hoof shell off in an accident with a barn door), was in his 20's, was on his
last legs, and could not stand on his crippled hind leg to cover a mare.
We were lucky to just get him here in one piece and keep him healthy and
happy for a year. God bless those who leased me mares! We had to
collect this old horse standing with all four feet on the ground, but he was
obliging, bless his heart. We managed to get 10 mares in foal, but had
three resorptions and one later miscarriage (one geneticist has suggested that
he may have had sperm damage from all of his own stress), and then lost two
gorgeous colts, one during foaling (only the second I've ever lost in foaling in
30+ years as a breeder) and one because he was a neonatal maladjustment baby
with a mama that would not cooperate with us to milk her out, and we just
couldn't keep him going on formula. However, despite the heartbreaks, we
have four GORGEOUS foals by this stallion, two colts and two fillies. A
herd of recipient mares would have made it possible to ET some of these mares
and still raise foals from them, and might have doubled or tripled this
wonderful horse's contribution to the gene pool. As it is, the above
foals represent his breeding career....
As for being unwanted, these foals will never leave
my ownership, if I can help it, although the two boys already have
considerable cooperative breeder circle interest in being able to use them
in various breeding programs in the next couple of decades. And one is my
special little buddy--I sure hope I'm not too stove up to ride by the time he's
ready!
So yes, Sandy, I can see application for this,
although as with any sort of technology, there is also the potential for
abuse. I'd hate to not be able to avail myself of the good side, just
because somebody else might use it with poor judgment.
Heidi
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 5:15
PM
Subject: [RC] For those with
Arabians....
If you hadn't gotten the
update.....
AHRA has removed the limit of one foal by ET from a mare.
So...this means that anyone with $$ can now produce at will (or ad nauseum as
the case may be) a mare, while keeping her in...training? What? The only thing
I can imagine this would be of benefit to AND economically sensible would be
for OUR sport - and I STILL don't want to do it. Clearly a mare cannot compete
in thsi sport whilst heavy in foal, and most choose not to ride mares at all
in competition once in foal. We have shown mares in foal up to about 8 months
- after all going around in circles......
Aside from the econimic
impact of being able to reporduce from one mare numerous foals in a season
(before finding out that the mare might have a parrot mouth or something), I
am just in awe of the concept that there is a need for more than one foal from
any mare in any year.
So...my question for you, oh true riding
friends, how many of you will avail yourselves of this option (aside from
POSSIBLY ET for a prized old mare who HAS produced excellent athletes and can
no longer carry one)?
san (who thinks there are WAYYYY too many unwanted
horses as it is)
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