Valley stallions have a lot to offer

The final Valley Horses column of 2011 was inspired by all the stallion issues of various horse magazines with their abundant choices for mare owners to choose from.

I suggested that one need not necessarily go far afield to find a stallion worthy of consideration for your mare, and invited local stallion owners to let me know what they have to offer.

The responses were admittedly few, but of impressive quality.

But before sharing their information, I must state that not all mares should be bred. Indeed, I find the mentality troubling that feels that an unsound or nut case female equine family member, since she is unrideable, can at least find some use by producing a foal — perhaps to salvage the emotional if not financial investment.

Having a foal is by no means a cheaper way of getting your next horse. Aside from the years before you know what you’ve got, and countless other uncertainties and additional investment, the basic adage of horse breeding is that you breed the best to the best and hope for the best.

Indeed, as is the case with some of the locals, you sometimes see a restriction “for approved mares only” as they do not want to compromise the quality of their progeny by covering any mare who happens down the road, or with an owner willing to put up the dough to be able to say they have a foal by…(fill in the blank).

That being said, I was impressed, though not surprised, to discover the exciting choices available nearby.

By way of selecting whom to put first, I decided to go with the gentleman that Lifetime Achievement Award winner Gail McGuire chose as the sire for her next generation of racing horses, out of Masters Cup, Point-to-Point, racing, and eventing winner and overall fabulous mare Wee Highland Star.

That would be one of New York’s hottest first-year stallions in 2011 – Malibu Moonshine. The handsome 16.1 hand chestnut is a sound and durable (62 starts) seven-time stakes winner with a royal pedigree from one of the most dominant sire lines in history which includes Seattle Slew, A.P. Indy, and Malibu Moon, sire of nearly 100 stakes horses. He stands at Carlland Stables on South Avon Road for thoroughbred race mares only. For more information see his website at www.malibumoonshine.com, call 226-6651 or email sue@carllandstables.com.

Topping the list of career accomplishments is the most surprising local find: Irish-bred Northern Spur who won the 1 1/2 mile Breeders Cup Turf race and 1995 Eclipse Award Turf honors. Himself a winner of over $1,600,000 in only 15 career starts, 78 percent of his progeny have started at the track, with 65% of those becoming winners with average earnings of over $63,000. Last fall, his son Aero finished a strong second in Virginia’s 3.5 mile International Gold Cup timber race.

Although something of a senior citizen as stallions go, Foggy Bottom Farm in Geneseo is developing a reputation for finding great success getting mares in foal with older stallions. Foaled in 1991, he may not be around for many years, and is definitely worthy of consideration.

Foggy Bottom Farm also stands other thoroughbred stallions with great credentials. Liberatedbyforce, by Conquistador Cielo, is bred for speed and has his first crop of foals coming of racing age this year. They all show excellent conformation.

Slice of Reality posted career winnings of over $211,000, making it on the board 19 times in 27 starts at Belmont and Aqueduct. He retired sound and with great heart, and has produced a long list of horses to race and achieve success at Finger Lakes Race Track.

After their racing careers, many have gone on to become successful field and show hunters, as well as all-around pleasure horses. Draft crosses by him have a reputation as being excellent to work around and great with children.

For more information on these stallions, go to www.foggybottom-farm.com or call 585-704-6301.

By far the most colorful of the local offerings is 15.2 hand Paint stallion Ragtime Nation. If you ever drive up Route 39 from Geneseo to Avon past Leg Up Stables, you have seen plenty of evidence of this fellow’s potency. Ragtime is a black and white tobiano Paint stallion who consistently produces offspring with good feet, conformation, and balance. He is trained under saddle and has sired over forty foals.

Ragtime foals are high-quality, versatile horses that have shown, evented, and hunted in the Genesee Valley. They have participated in Pony Club and Pony Club Nationals, hunter paces, dressage, and hunter/jumper shows. Ragtime offspring have also made up a large percentage of the SUNY Geneseo Intercollegiate Horse Show Association mounts, and are frequently borrowed by other college programs.

For more information contact Kim Sanford at 585-243-3579 (farm), 585-739-5925 (cell) or email: legupstables@gmail.com

It’s plain to see that there are some quality local choices for breeding, so why not support the local economy if you’re looking for a baby daddy. Think spring!

Kudos

2012 Livingston County

4-H Horse Communications Results Courtesy of Gay Frame

Cloverbuds: these are the youngest members who are presenting for the first time. They are not placed, but recognized and encouraged.

Aydan Low—Brushes and how to use them on your horse

Evelyn Miller—Measuring your Horse

Novice:

Braydon Wright—The Digestive System

Kristie Webster—Why Do Horses Do That?

McKenzie Low—Lunging Your Horse

Steven Donnelly—Live to Drive

Michaela Bastzo—Showmanship

Juniors: all individual presentations

Jill Pero—“Say Ahhh” (a discussion of the horses’ teeth)

Paul Cripps—Fox Hunting

Caleb Miller—The Farrier’s Job

Rose Miller—Horse Treats

Seniors:

Impromptu presentation—Leah Wise

Public Speaking:

MacKenzie Schuster—Look Before You Leap

Sarah Knop—A Powerful Woman

Individual Presentations:

Kate Miner—The Best Defense

Emily Cosgrove—Horses Have Feelings Too

Congratulations to all the presenters, and their leaders and parents as well.

Coming Up

What Lies Beneath: Ultrasound and Radiology 101 short course rescheduled for this Thursday, March 8th, 7-9 PM at the Genesee Valley Equine Clinic, 925 Chili Scottsville Road, Scottsville.

Have you ever wondered why ultrasound might be chosen over x-rays or vice versa? Imaging tools such as ultrasound and x-rays are used to diagnose and monitor musculoskeletal and internal medicine problems. They can also help guide vets during special treatments such as joint injections in the foot and neck.

Call the office at 889-1170 to reserve your spot.