Here's an unusual advertisement

[Bohemia]

Star Barn Thoroughbreds, formerly Regal Heir Farm in Grantville, Pa., is running this ad on the Blood-Horse web site, Classifieds section, under "Horses Wanted":

Star Barn Thoroughbreds - PA
Need capital donations and 100 high qualify maiden and open mares for our 501 (c) (3) Thoroughbred Reproduction Research Project. This project will benefit our donors, their designated beneficiaries, the Thoroughbred industry and unemployed horsemen. (717) 469-2300 [email protected]

My question is this - what are they planning to do with the 100 mares when they are done with their "research project"? I have a feeling I know what may become of most of them.

[Crystal]

Maybe they give them back to their owners. I guess on one hand a person gets out from underneath boarding a mare for an undetermined ammount of time, but on the other hand it does not mention what the study is about. I'm sure they could find free maiden mares on the track. Yet again it does not mention what the fertility status of the mare must be. But 100 mares, wow, that would create a lot of job in just taking care of all those mares.

[Bohemia]

From what I've heard this is a "pasture breeding" research project. And you're right, maybe they will give the mares & foals back to the original owners. Guess I always look at the dark side of things.

[Crystal]

well, like in an already over populated horse industry like we need to pasture breed 100 mares, for the possibility of a high number of undetermined quality offspring. I hope this study has plans on how to place the foals if the mare owners don't want them, or have plans on what to do with 100 mares once the study is over.
I share your dark views on the study and would be very cautious if I was considering it.

[jellac]

All good questions raised by the posters above in their own right, BUT if you really want to know the answers - instead of speculating as to what they might be - why not call the phone number listed in the ad?

Then discuss what you've learned about this research project 'from the horse's mouth' after talking with Paul Truitt.

[Skipitgirl]

Well from someone who only pasture bred the last 10 years...you dont need 100 mares to figure it out. Maybe they said 100 so they could figure the percentage easier?