Interview with M.C. Toby, Dr. E.W. Thomas, Col. Floyd Sager, January 10, 1980

Partial Transcript: With the value of horses, uh, Thoroughbreds today, uh, do you, do you think that, uh, it's proper that a veterinarian be in regular attendance for breeding?

Segment Synopsis: Toby talks about horse breeding and the best practices. He also talks about studs and the process of going from a racehorse to a stud. Next, he explains the important parts of horse hygiene in horse breeding.

Keywords: Horse breeding; Horse business; Horse hygiene; Studs

Subjects: Foals; Horse breeders; Horse industry; Stallions

Partial Transcript: Well, now, uh, in, in keeping this horse, uh, establishing him as a stallion and, uh, keeping him as stallion...

Segment Synopsis: Toby talks about how exercise is important for stallions, in his opinion. Next, he goes into horse breeding, again talking about stallions and how they should not be overbred. He also talks about washing right after the breeding session to reduce the chances of infection. Toby explains how, at the farm he worked at, they stopped using hobbles for breeding because there was an accidental injury to a horse. He also talks about making sure the animals are ready to breed or else they could fail.

Keywords: Horse breeding; Horse exercises; Horse hygiene

Subjects: Foals; Horse breeders; Horse industry; Stallions

Partial Transcript: This is a kind of a grey area question, Colonel Sager.

Segment Synopsis: Toby talks about how sometimes mares would be sent to the farm to breed that were not ready to be bred. Because of that, they test every mare when they come in to be bred or impregnated.

Keywords: Breeding mares; Horse breeding; Maiden mares; Stables

Subjects: Horse breeders; Horse industry; Mares; Thoroughbred--Breeding

Partial Transcript: Could you give us the tips you, you think of a stu--stallion would show that if he's being over bred?

Segment Synopsis: Toby talks about stallions and when you can tell they have been overbred. Next, they talk about how you can tell when a stallion has successfully covered a mare. When the stallion raises its tail up and down, it's flagging, which is a sign. However, there are a few stallions which must be tested to see if they covered the mare by looking at the semen under a microscope. This is because some stallions can be inconsistent and this increases as they get older.

Keywords: Breeding mares; Breeding stallions; Horse breeding

Subjects: Horse breeders; Horse industry; Stallions; Thoroughbred--breeding

Partial Transcript: Uh, during this period of time when they're finding out that in, uh, the woman, smoking and alcohol, whatnot, uh, the, the narcotics, can do so much damage to the fetus...

Segment Synopsis: Toby talks about a disease that had been spotted on horses caused by drug called Nolvasan. They also talk about a disease similar to herpes that would create ulcers on the genitals of the horses and leave scar tissue.

Keywords: Horse breeding; Horse diseases; Horse infections; Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Subjects: Horse breeders; Horse industry; Horses--Diseases; Horses--Infections

Partial Transcript: Colonel Sager, would you describe your routine for having a maiden mare when she comes to the breeding shed?

Segment Synopsis: Col. Sager talks about how he deals with maiden mares and teasing before letting the stud into the breeding shed. He says the mare will initially be fearful and that's what the tease horse is supposed to help with, then when the mare is ready they let the stallion into the breeding shed. Sometimes there will be issues with the size of the stallion's phallus and precautions must be taken to ensure the mare's safety.

Keywords: Breeding mares; Breeding stallions; Maiden mares; Studs

Subjects: Horse breeding; Horse industry; Thoroughbred--Breeding

Partial Transcript: Are there any strengths or weaknesses that you think a stallion significantly transmits?

Segment Synopsis: Col. Sager talks about certain attributes that are passed down by stallions. One example is the quality and strength of their bones, which is passed down. Stallions also have necks that are designed so they can rest their head up against their breast without hurting, this is also a passed down trait.

Keywords: Horse breeding; Stallion breeding; Stallion characteristics; Studs

Subjects: Horse breeders; Horse industry; Stallions; Thoroughbred--Breeding

Partial Transcript: Colonel Sager, now we got just a few minutes now on this synopsis. I've got a few general questions to ask you if we got time for that.

Segment Synopsis: Toby talks about the power of the moon and tides and their effect on horses. He tells a story about when he visited a stable during a particular phase of the moon, all the horses were acting very wild. Next, they talk about the effect of lightning on the farm. Toby says that he had lost two barns because of lightning. They also talk about a few other accidents involving lightning, including an employee in a golf cart getting struck and paralyzed.

Keywords: Horse breeding; Mare breeding; Moon cycles; Stallion breeding; Studs

Subjects: Fillies; Horse breeders; Horse industry; Mares; Stallions

Partial Transcript: Colonel Sager, do--have you experienced many anaphylactic reaction to injections to Thoroughbred horses during your time?

Segment Synopsis: Col. Sager talks about a case where a horse of his had tetanus and he administered a drug in a attempt to help. He says when he came back into the room, the horse was dying and he says no one can explain why it happened. Next, they talk about how common insurance is on horses. Col. Sager explains that they only call the insurance company if there seems to be something wrong with the horse, then they let the insurance agency bring their own doctor out to check.

Keywords: Death; Illnesses; Insurance

Subjects: Horse breeders; Horse industry; Horse owners; Horse--Infections; Horse--diseases

Partial Transcript: What about the blacksmith, Col. Sager?

Segment Synopsis: Col. Sager talks about the routine with horseshoes and trimming their hooves. Col. Sager says that they only put horseshoes on the horses that they have to, the rest they leave natural. Sager also talks about different types of hay and what mixtures are ideal for horses. He also says alfalfa and oats and corn are all different choices as well.

Keywords: Alfalfa; Corn; Feed; Food; Hay; Horse shoes; Nutrients for horses; Oats

Subjects: Horse breeders; Horse industry; Racehorses; Stallions; Thoroughbred horse--Breeding