Claiborne Farm

Admin · Fri Jan 30, 2015 6:07 pm

Izvestia wrote:I think they listed all of the advantages on the Facebook post, and from that list, I think it's better for the horses to foal outside. I am not one to knock one of the leading farms in Kentucky.

I don't think anyone is above questioning. But I'm not criticizing Claiborne here -- I'm genuinely curious.

The response about foaling was a "weather-permitting" one. Well, the weather would seem to be non-permitting more often than not at this time of year in KY. Again, foaling at this time of year isn't normal for the mare and foal, so "nature" would've had this happen at least a couple months down the road when it's warmer.

I also wondered about the attendant and lighting at the foaling paddocks. I'd be interested in seeing how they monitor the mares on what are usually very cold and dark nights here.

Just curious. I knew this was more common in Florida, but it was the first I'd heard of it in KY.

Ballerina · Fri Jan 30, 2015 9:26 pm

I did read what Claiborne published. I was merely commenting on what would be considered "weather permitting". I don't see where the months of January and February and maybe even March would be conducive to foaling outdoors - short hours of daylight, snow, possibly ice, cold temperatures. To me, it seems likely that most foaling takes place indoors. Optimum conditions - daylight, clement weather, I do most certainly see how foaling outdoors would be the better of the two.

serenassong · Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:37 am

As far as foaling outside- sometimes the mare decides this for herself. I know that at Winstar there are a few born out in the field every year because the mare decided it was time to foal. Mares are funny creatures- they can turn it on and off- have seen many a mare that I swore was going to give birth (mind you- this is on the cams), and then she settles down and is fine. I'll never forget the time a mare had the front hooves sticking out- goes over to the hay pile, takes a few bites, looks back, and practically shot the foal across the stall. She seemed really unfazed by her labor, and had her mind made up that she was going to eat.

DanLewis · Sun Feb 08, 2015 5:28 pm

I worked for 2 larger Florida breeding farms.. Everyone on the farm was told during breeding season.. If the weather is nice, and you see a mare foaling, go in and remove other mares and alert foaling staff to be on hand at the paddock to assist if necessary.. in my career I have seen a few mares who didn't have a clue how to foal and were on baby 3 and 5 every time the feet were out the owner would pull the foal not allowing the mare to deliver the foal.. The mares faces when we just sat watching were comical they would look at you like, um hey your not doing this right.. Sometimes we as humans end up doing the most harm, by doing what we think is better for the animal.. I respect how Claiborne has handled this.

Flanders · Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:40 am

Claiborne posted their 32yo teaser, Chocolate, passed away peacefully in his sleep:

In the people are clueless theme of this thread:
One post "What happened to him? And did he buried on gravesite along with other horses? RIP Chocolate"

Claiborne responded:
"He died of old age (he was 32!). He will be buried at Marchmont Cemetery on the farm."

Izvestia · Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:36 am

I can't read the comments or else I will feel compelled to say something back.

serenassong · Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:23 am

R. I. P. Chocolate.

I have a funny story about him. I did visit Clairborne in 2001. Did the tour, and as I was leaving- I saw this horse in a paddock close to where my car was. He was SCREAMING at me and running back and forth. So, of course, I had to give him plenty of attention, and spent about 5 minutes loving on him. Glad to see he just quietly slipped away.

BaroqueAgain1 · Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:34 pm

Chocolate had a long...if perhaps frustrating...life. He must have been well-loved by the staff to have 'worked' for them for so many years.
Does anyone know what breed he was? He looks to be about 13-14 hands in those photos, and a handsome liver chestnut with flaxen mane and tail.

Flanders · Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:51 pm

BaroqueAgain1 wrote:Chocolate had a long...if perhaps frustrating...life. He must have been well-loved by the staff to have 'worked' for them for so many years.
Does anyone know what breed he was? He looks to be about 13-14 hands in those photos, and a handsome liver chestnut with flaxen mane and tail.

He looks like a Rocky Mountain horse. I don't know for sure though but they have that chocolate color with the light mane and tail.
They did say everyone loved him and he was a super nice horse who loved people.

Izvestia · Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:08 pm

Flanders wrote:
BaroqueAgain1 wrote:Chocolate had a long...if perhaps frustrating...life. He must have been well-loved by the staff to have 'worked' for them for so many years.
Does anyone know what breed he was? He looks to be about 13-14 hands in those photos, and a handsome liver chestnut with flaxen mane and tail.
He looks like a Rocky Mountain horse. I don't know for sure though but they have that chocolate color with the light mane and tail.
They did say everyone loved him and he was a super nice horse who loved people.

Rocky Mountain Horses are known for their kind personalities. He definitely has the colour.

BaroqueAgain1 · Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:30 pm

Rocky Mountain also occurred to me. I saw a breed profile show on RFDTV a few years ago devoted to that breed, and I was impressed by how attractive the horses were. Nicely balanced and handsome, they come in just about every color that I personally love...black, flaxen-maned chestnut, dun, palomino, grey...and naturally gaited, as well.
I wonder if Chocolate ever got to pass his genes along within his own breed?

serenassong · Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:56 am

BaroqueAgain1 wrote:Rocky Mountain also occurred to me. I saw a breed profile show on RFDTV a few years ago devoted to that breed, and I was impressed by how attractive the horses were. Nicely balanced and handsome, they come in just about every color that I personally love...black, flaxen-maned chestnut, dun, palomino, grey...and naturally gaited, as well.
I wonder if Chocolate ever got to pass his genes along within his own breed?

They do allow them to breed a few mares each year (not the TB's of course)- otherwise it would be just awful- gotta allow the guy a bit of a break now and again. Would love to see his foals.

If you want to see another adorable teaser pony- looks over at Winstar and find pics of Spots- I love him. They don't know a lot about him- think he is perhaps a Pony of the Americas

I actually found one-

BaroqueAgain1 · Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:06 pm

Oh yeah....if he's a pony, definitely a POA.

BlindLucky · Mon Feb 16, 2015 4:29 pm

This guy, Julio, was Claiborne's teaser in 2012--or at least one of their active ones. I'm guessing he took over full-time duties. They said he got his name from one of the farm staff who used to flirt with all the ladies in the office.

Flanders · Tue Feb 17, 2015 3:07 am

BlindLucky wrote:This guy, Julio, was Claiborne's teaser in 2012--or at least one of their active ones. I'm guessing he took over full-time duties. They said he got his name from one of the farm staff who used to flirt with all the ladies in the office.

Claiborne also said: "We are thankful for our other teasers as well and hope to share their pictures in the coming weeks: Oliver, Bradley, Julio, Whitey, and Tiger."
So they have quite a few.

BlindLucky · Thu Apr 16, 2015 11:15 am

A more detailed morning spent with the teaser stallions. The big ham, Julio (who I took pictures of, see above) gets to tease the incoming mares--and there sure are some fine ones shipping in every day during breeding season. Must be why he looks so pleased with himself

http://www.americasbestracing.net/en/th ... ung-heros/

Also found a response from a Claiborne intern about nurse mare foals at the farm (the fertile teasers are allowed to breed them), because you know when someone says "nurse mare", half of the internet says "omg the babies, they are going to die, die, die".

This blog wasn't about nurse mares. To answer your question, most of the nurse mares come from an employee of the farm. He feeds and raises the nurse mare foals on a separate farm. He gives them away to people who want trail horses. People who get the foals do so under the stipulation that they give the horses back to him if they don't want them anymore.

ElPrado2 · Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:28 am

More on foaling mares...
I had a mare foaling for the first time. She was in a stall. I peeked around the corner of the stall just to see if she was doing all right. She heard or smelled me, got up, poked her nose at me. I told her she was fine. She laid back down where she had more room and popped the foal out. They usually know what to do.