1967-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1967 June Voice RS | Page 24

Table 1 contains recommendations relative to the number of services for stallions of different ages , with consideration given to age and type of mating . Also , there is a difference between breeds .

The most satisfactory arrangement for the well-being of the stallion is to allow not more than one service each day . With proper handling , however , the mature , vigorous stallion may with certainty , and apparently without harm , serve two mares in a single day . During the heavy spring breeding season , this may often be necessary . It is a good plan to allow a stallion to rest at least one day a week . In the program of the U . S . Remount Service , now dissolved , three-year-old stallions were usually limited to 15 mares ; and stallions from 4 to 18 inclusive were limited to a book of 40 mares . However , even mature stallions within the latter age group were usually limited to 25 mares when standing their first season .

TABLE 1 HANDY STALLION MATING GUIDEi

1There are breed differences . Thus , when first entering stud duty , the average 3-ycar-old Thoroughbred should be limited to 20 to 25 mares per season , whereas a Standardbred of the same age may breed 25 to 30 mares ; and the 4- or 5-year-old Thoroughbred should be limited to 30 to 40 marcs , whereas a Standardbred of the same age may breed 40 to 50 mares . Mature stallions of the draft breeds may and do breed up to 100 mares in a season .

In order to secure higher conception of the mares and yet avoid overwork of the stallion with an excessive number of natural services , most Thoroughbred breeders now reinforce each natural service with one artificial insemination . According to Jockey Club regulations , this must be done at once after natural sendee , “ with semen from the stallion performing the natural service on the mare that has just been covered .”

Stallions often remain virile and valuable breeders until 20 to 25 years of age , especially if they have been properly handled . However , it is usually best to limit the number of sendees on a valuable old sire in order to preserve his usefulness and extend his longevity as long as possible .

Occasionally , Thoroughbred and Standardbred stallions are used to a limited extent before retirement to the stud , although many good horsemen seem to feel that it is not best to use them until it is time for them to be retired . Saddle horses may be bred to a few mares and still be used in the showring . However , sometimes it makes them more difficult io handle .

It frequently happens that a wonderful horse is injured in the midst of his racing career , and while awaiting the next racing season , he is bred to a few mares .

If two services a day are planned with the mature stallion , one should be rather early in the morning and the other late in the afternoon . It is also best not to permit teasing or services immediately before or soon after feeding the stallion ; for this may result in a digestive disturbance , particularly in nervous , fretful individuals .

WORKOUT

Roy N . Johnson , Jr . 105 SKYVIEW DRIVE Livingston , Texas

Another season , and although I hate to say it , a poor start . The first show I attended this year is one I would have billed as one of the greatest small shows in the nation on past experience . But — let ’ s face it , folks — poor or incompetent judging can ruin any show . There have been dozens of articles over the past year about poor judging , and yet shows still hire them , and we show in front of them . The future of incompetent and biased judging can lead but to one place .

On the brighter side , hats off to Bud Dunn and the superb job he did in judging the San Antonio Charity Horse Show . Bud says that when he judges and see a fine horse really working , he seldom looks up to see who the rider is . Bud Dunn is one of the greats at training Walking Horses , and his performance as judge at San Antonio was extremely competent . Thanks , Bud , for a job well done !

Three outstanding horses in this area are junior stallions and could give each other and others elsewhere plenty of trouble before next winter . First is a SAND­ MAN colt trained and shown by Julia Horn . This one is a sorrel owned by C . H . Lowe of Shreveport and is called GINGERBRED MAN . Julia has an up-and-coming horse in this one . The second is an outstanding white stud , CRYSTAL BALL , owned by Mrs . O . Lathrop and shown out of Dub Ivins ’ stable . He proves that white can be a desired color for a Walking Horse . The third outstanding junior stallion has a powerful name , royal blood , and that big lick . SHADOW ’ S DALLAS COWBOY by GO BOY ’ S SHADOW works out of Bill Moore Stables , Beaumont , and is owned by Sam Sonntag of Dallas .

Shirley Sharpe of Dallas came to San Antonio to observe , and told me that everybody ’ s favorite bay horse , GO BOY ’ S CHATTERBOX , is the same as last season — absolutely great — and will again prove it to the world starting soon . Boy , how that girl ’ s eyes do light up when she speaks of that horse !

Jimmy D . Hooten of Sugarland , Texas , told me at a

recent show that his fine colt , MIDNIGHT SUN ’ S CAPER , will soon be ready to start his training . We hope

Jimmy will keep this fine animal in this area so we , too , can enjoy watching his progress . You will remember that this colt was tenth in a strong class of weanling horse colts at the 1965 Celebration .

Bubba Lewis tells me that he no longer wants to be called a horse trainer , but prefers the title of “ country squire ” since moving to the Sear ’ s farm at Crockett , Texas . Bubba has a garden , rides range on cattle , and gives Texas-size Bar-B-Ques on Sunday . He also still rides horses and has a beautiful black three-year-old filly to work at Tyler . I was so carried away with the other news that I did not get a bit of info on the horse . She ’ s nice and works well , though .

HORSE PHOTOGRAPHY by CURTIE VAUGHN

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24 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse