11 for 27 for Strong Hope

StrawberryFelidos · Postby **StrawberryFelidos** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:45 am

Says on the BloodHorse that Strong Hope has gotten 11 of his first 27 mares in foal. Those figures seem a little low to me for a young horse (if those had been Danzig's last numbers I wouldn't have wondered...). What does anyone else think of those figures? Are they normal for a first-year stallion?
http://breeding.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=27168

henthorn · Postby **henthorn** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:40 am

Hi Strawberry, welcome to the forum. This is very early in the year, and Strong Hope is a new stallion. I suspect it takes a little practice to get a new stud in gear for stallion duty. Also these findings are based on the results of only one cover. The average conception rate we expect to see represents all covers for that stallion to that mare for the season. Some take on the first cover, some on 2nd or 3rd, and some keep trying, especially if they started early in the season. Also I would expect mares to be less likely to be fertile early in the spring than they are in March or later, since that's the natural breeding season for them. The early mares available are likely open due to recent racing, immaturity, or abortion, and few would have foals at side early than they will later in the season. Just my guess.

halo · Postby **halo** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:03 pm

I agree, these numbers look low to me also. Especially when you consider that mares at Claiborne are bred right on a follicle, you'd expect much better numbers than these.

LSB · Postby **LSB** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:36 pm

I thought those numbers looked very low too for the same reason halo mentioned.

But then I wondered if they were reported correctly. Perhaps he's been bred to a total of 27 mares but some of them are still counting days? I know there were some difficulties in getting that stallion started so I imagine they're just pleased that he's getting the job done.

Sysonby · Postby **Sysonby** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:58 am

I thought something of the same thing re: the Johar announcement. It takes a full month into the breeding season before a stallion gets his first mare in foal? He's either not breeding many or he settled none of the mares in the month of February. I guess the other option is that they delayed the announcement and this is one of the first mares he was bred to who was confirmed in foal in late February. But the timing makes you wonder.