Famous Thoroughbred racehorse and stallion Man o'War (1920)
Equine breeders, particularly those specializing in Thoroughbreds, may insist upon a live cover, or natural cover.
What is a live cover?
Live cover is the practice of breeding a mare to a stallion through the traditional method, rather than artificial insemination. The mare and stallion are brought together, usually by trained human handlers, for the process of mating. Usually, the mare is physically transported to the stables where the stallion is standing at stud.
Quite often, particularly for high-ticket breedings, the owner of the mare actually observes the process of equine mating to ensure the mare is bred to the correct sire, rather than a less desirable substitute. Because of certain unsavory practices in the past, live cover is the only method accepted for Thoroughbred horse owners who wish to register the resulting foals as pure bred.
With Thoroughbred horse breeders standing to pay huge stud fees (often well into six figures) to breed their mares to the top standing Thoroughbred sires, the practice of live cover breeding has become the norm. For this reason, retired racehorse stallions that may no longer have the ability to run fast must still possess the physical strength to stand (even on their hind legs), if they are to stand at stud.
Related Articles:
·
Equestrian Terms 101 - directory
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What are aids?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a brand?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a bronco?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is bucking?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is chrome?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a colt?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is conformation?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is an equine?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a farrier?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a filly?
·
Equestrian Terms 101 – What is a foal?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a gait?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a gelding?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a green horse?
·
Equestrian Terms 101: What is a hinny?
·
Equestrian Terms 101 - What are Jack, Jenny, John and Molly?
·
Equestrian Terms 101 – What is a length?
·
Equestrian Terms 101 – What is a live cover?
·
Equestrian Terms 101 – What is a mare?
·
Equestrian Terms 101 – What is a mule?
·
Equestrian Terms 101 – What is the near side of a horse?
Comments
Love the vintage photo. If you come across a lot of these, you should do a slideshow!
Gourmet Food Examiner
Knoxville Healthy Food Examiner
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!