Welcome back to Katching Up With Katie! This week's episode is a fun, info-packed reunion with all four voices you know and love. It's been a while since the whole crew sat down together, and we've got a lot to cover, from updates in the barn to deep dives into horse breeding, mini animals, and even a spirited debate over lost dogs. Let's jump into what Katie Van Slyke and the team have been up to lately.
Back in the Barn: Horse Breeding Season in Full Swing
As spring settles in, it's breeding season at Katie Van Slyke's farm, and there's plenty happening behind the scenes. One topic Katie clears up is how many horses, particularly her minis, are being bred off-site this year. That means fewer on-farm videos, which has left some fans asking, "What's going on with the horses?"
Turns out, a lot! Katie goes in-depth about her approach to horse breeding, especially when it comes to her beloved miniature horses. Unlike full-size horses, breeding minis presents some unique challenges that not every vet is willing (or equipped) to take on.
Breeding Mini Horses: Challenges and Choices
Katie dives into her current breeding plans for Regina and Karen, two of her registered AMHA and AMHR mini mares. For those unfamiliar, these acronyms stand for American Miniature Horse Association and American Miniature Horse Registry, and they involve strict standards, especially around height.
Katie's careful about stallion selection, too. She's not just breeding to any mini stud. Instead, she's prioritizing proven stallions with strong conformation and lineage, like those owned by Chandler, who originally sold her the mares. While his farm is in Florida, Katie's working with artificial insemination (AI) to keep things local and minimize stress on her animals.
AI in Mini Animals: Why It's Rare
Artificial insemination in mini horses is trickier than you might think. Katie explains how vets with experience in AI for minis are hard to come by, mostly because of their small size and the specialized equipment needed. Not to mention, most AI procedures are done while the vet is on their hands and knees, making it physically demanding and riskier than with full-sized horses.
Still, Katie is fortunate to have access to Tennessee Equine Hospital, where vets like her friend Emily are skilled and confident working with mini animals. Emily's experience means Regina and Karen are in good hands as they enter the breeding process.
Collecting Mini Stallions: Not as Common as You'd Think
Another challenge? Stallion collection. While live cover is more common in mini horse breeding, not all farms are set up to collect mini stallions or train them to breed through AI. Katie laughs recalling the idea of a mini version of a mounting dummy, but jokes aside, training stallions for AI is time-consuming and not a priority for many facilities.
Some breeding operations, like High Point, have successfully trained their stallions to collect from the ground, a method useful when a stallion is injured and can't mount. But again, it's rare and requires a lot of patience and resources.
Mini Donkeys, Goats, and AI: Drawing the Line
Fans often ask Katie why she doesn't AI her goats or mini donkeys. Her answer is practical: it's not worth the risk. Animals like her mini donkey Dolly are structurally smaller than even her mini horses, and AI becomes more complex and dangerous. Plus, there's less of a need for long-distance breeding in these species compared to horses.
Katie also shares a fun fact about donkey breeding, particularly about mammoth donkeys like Clyde's Gallant Fox, a champion show donkey who has made quite a name in the breeding world. These donkeys are often used to produce high-quality mules, especially for work and performance disciplines.
The Great Dog Debate: Who Really Owns a Lost Pet?
Shifting gears, the episode ends with a passionate discussion on pet ownership ethics. Katie tells the story of Lucy, a dog her family found years ago in rough condition. They only later learned that someone may have been looking for her, but by then, Lucy was deeply bonded with them.
Would you give the dog back? Matt says absolutely, no matter how long it's been. Katie takes a more nuanced stance: if the dog has been with someone for years and is clearly happy and healthy, is it really right to take them back? The debate gets lively, and fans are invited to chime in with their own thoughts.
From horse breeding practices and the quirks of mini animals, to questions of loyalty and love, this episode of Katching Up With Katie is full of heart, humor, and education. Whether you're a fan of Katie Van Slyke, a horse enthusiast, or just love stories about farm life, this episode has something for everyone.
1 comment
On Lucy, Your family found her in rough shape healed her and Loved her. I believe Lucy was meant to be with your family. No, I would not give her back.