thorobred mating

[TOM]

Are retired race horsr thorobreds allowed to mate naturally or by artifical means?

[DOB]

Artificial insemination is prohibited in the thoroughbred industry. All foals must be conceived by natural means because only foals which have been conceived by natural means (verified by a vet I think) can be registered with Wetherbys and allowed to race in the future. However, it is up to the stallion owner whether or not they want their stallion to mate with a particular mare. This is because the value of a stallion standing at stud (and the stud fee they command) depends on the ability of their offspring so no stallion owner wants his pride and joy to mate with some mare that trailed in last in a rubbish handicap race at Lingfield. Also, before the actual mating takes place, the stallion owner brings in a "teaser" to the mare to see if she will be receptive to the stallion. If the mare is not "up for it" she will let the teaser know by possibly kicking her hind legs and no stallion owner wants his stallion to be damaged by a frigid mare. Even when the mating is taking place, a stable hand will lift one of the mare's front legs because then she can't kick back. Incidentally, one of the least desirable jobs in the world must be the person who has to "guide" the stallion into the mare. This IS a real job and doesn't really bear thinking about.