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season season he he was was exp IN THE BLUE GRASS By Hugh J. McGuire LEXINGTON, Ky., May 27— Five or six weeks ago Charles Kenney told us that this season season he he was was exp experiencing sriencing more more than than usual usual /Hffiniilftr difficulty in in getting orottitl or experiencing sriencing more more than than usual usual /Hffiniilftr difficulty in in getting orottitl or mares in foal and that many other breeders were faced with the same problem. Kenney now verifies that statement both for himself and his fellow breeders. He stated thati as of now, the number of mares in his charge who have conceived is about average, but he places places the the reason reason for for places places the the reason reason for for this seeming contradictory statement to the fact that most of his mares pronounced in foal are foaling matrons rather than maiden or barren mares and it is with the latter groups that most of his trouble seems to rest. Arthur B. Hancock Jr., of Claiborne Farm has gone on record as being of the opinion that horme treatments of mares in training are responsible for much of this condition in maiden mares and as Hancock can be considered to be in a position to know whereof he speaks, his premise is worthy of consideration. But the condition extends to other mares and it seems reasonable that all maiden mares from the tracks have not been subjected to excessive hormone treatments that might provide the obstacle to pregnancy. AAA Lacking any definite proof and somewhat by the process of elimination, Kenney has come to the conclusion that the current tardiness of mares to accept pregnancy is due to weather conditions in this area. He points out that while a somewhat mild winter was visited upon us, the early spring has generally been raw and cold and that such conditions are nop conducive to ideal breeding. Mares, says "Kenney, will get in foal easier when the sun shines on both sides of the fence. He also believes that mares have possibly been bred too soon in their heat periods before the cervix is properly open. He is inclined to discount the somewhat widely-ield theory that the local drought in the last two seasons is responsible through the absence of valuable vitamins and minerals usually obtained through lush grasses. Kenney points out that there has been plenty of grass in recent weeks. AAA Kenney notes that while some of his difficulty has arisen from the failure of mares to "show" readily, some of his conferes complain of the opposite situation when their mares become "oyer affectionate." Of the maiden mares from the race tracks, Kenney asserts that formerly he would Getting Mares in Foal is Difficult* Hancock Puts Blame on Hormones Dr. Caslicks Old Report Pertinent have preferred this class of mare to any other in the matter of facile pregnancy, but he has been forced to alter this choice. In the absence of proof, he was unable to say whether the excessive use of hormones was responsible for the present condition of many of these mares, but agreed that the possibility was certainly present. He does not hesitate to say that of late he has seen more frigid mares than was formerly the case. AAA An aged report that must be considered as relevant to the effect of hormones on maiden mares has been unearthed. This report was compiled as the result of a, study made some 10 years ago by the late Dr. E. A. Caslick, who was resident veterinarian at Claiborne Farm and recognized as one of the greatest authorities of the time on broodmares. Dr. Caslicks findings stated that from, actual records of 1,062 mares he was able to "substitute facts for theory, knowledge for guesswork." The study was made to determine the comparative pregnancy ratio of the three types of broodmares. The findings of Dr. Caslick were as follows: Of 683 foaling mares bred, 532 conceived for a percentage of 77.89; -of 306 barren mares, 256 conceived for a percentage of 83.66; of 73 maiden mares bred, 64,conceived for a percentage of 87.67. AAA From the highest rate of conception a decade ago, maiden mares have dropped to the lowest rating of the three classifications of mares. We admit having no comparative figures to offer on the change, but it appears to be common knowledge in this area that the ranking positions of the three groups of mares have altered materially. When maiden mares established Dr. Caslicks figures, hormones were not in use on the race tracks. Their use began on any sizable scale about eight years ago and became widespread about four years ago. The practice of using the hormones has become so prevalent that many affected mares can now be recognized on arrival on a farm by two methods. Expert veterinarians are able to locate the symptoms through examination of mares that have been subjected to constant or heavy usage, and certain racing stables are spotted as frequent or regular users of hormones. AAA , .Reverting again to the subject of the feasibility of substituting a lower stallion ►fee for the live foal clause in breeding contracts, the suggestion has reached us that, as over-production has been given as one of the basic causes of the present situation, the Jockey Club could lend an assist by sponsoring a gelding allowance or by making it more expensive to register certain types of foals such as those who were out of mares who were unraced or were non-winners. On the same subject, we recently referred to the practice of a Virginia stallion owner of charging his fees by "the leap." We admit that the phrasing of the conditions had intrigued us and that possibly we were mildly, facetious in recounting it. We learn now that such a practice has been under study by some breeders as emi- j nently fair. By it, a fee is set whereby the ] mares owner pays a certain percentage for the first service and again for ensuing services until the total fee is reached, or the mare conceives. This would place the responsibility of paying top price for the mare who makes the most use of the stallion and is the most difficult to get in foal. As such mares usually are of the cheaper grade, the plan might discourage the breeding of them. AAA Blades of Blue Grass: We would like to make acknowledgement to Lou Doherty for supplying the figures in Dr. Caslicks report used above . . . Col. Phil T. Chinn shipped the gelding, Butchs Pride, a four-year-old by Challenge Me, and the two-year-old Halcyon gelding, Magnate to trainer John A. Nerud in New England. Nerud also has Langford and Pops in training for Chinn and both were recent winners. Chinn received the Star Ranch mare, Star Delight, who is to be turned out for freshening . . . Stallion owners agree that the current difficulties in readily getting mares in foal for any reason is placing a hardship on their stallions ... Calumet Farm reports the foaling season completed with 18 colts and 21 filly foals on hand. In addition, a colt foal by Re-Armed— Island Lass arrived in California . . . Gus Owens, secre-. tary of the Thoroughbred Club of America, has sent out notices of a luncheon meeting this Saturday at the Lafayette Hotel. George B. "Brownie" Leach will show the film patrol picture of the Kentucky Derby.
