70 North, about 8 miles west of Crossville. A fter weeks of winter weather, we think that spring has arrived when we get one day of sunshine. But the mild days in late winter can be frustrating for broodmare owners who have open or barren mares. Well the answer is rather simple, even though the broodmare owner doesn't like it. Nature takes its time.
Several factors are at play.
Human intervention really messed up the horse-mating industry. Years ago in England, it was decided that all registered horses would have a common birthday of Jan. 1. No matter when a foal is born this year, it'll be a year old on Jan. 1, 2002. Herein lies the major problem. Nature doesn't work on this timetable.