In the world of horse breeding, hope and heartbreak often ride side by side. As we round the corner into June, Katie Van Slyke shared a major update on her breeding season, and the barn is buzzing with both anticipation and a bit of cautious optimism.
Katie's team recently conducted pregnancy checks on five mares, with several more waiting. With only four confirmed pregnancies so far, the stakes felt high. "I'm preparing myself for the worst, but hoping for the best," Katie said as the day began. This year's journey has been filled with both challenges and celebrations, as any breeder will tell you, especially when you're working with both maiden mares and seasoned producers.
Annie: A History of Hope
First up was Annie, who was bred to Katie's youngest stallion using frozen semen. Annie has a bit of a history, she didn't take in 2022 despite multiple tries while nursing, but rebounded beautifully the following year after a break, producing a lovely foal. Katie noted that this pattern mirrors another one of her mares, Indie, who also struggles to get pregnant while nursing.
This year, the vet found a few cysts in Annie, raising questions about their impact on implantation. But good news came fast: a 16-day-old pregnancy was confirmed! "That's baby number five on the board," Katie celebrated. Annie is now carrying her second Denver baby, and a heartbeat check is coming up soon.
Phoebe: Second Time's the Charm?
Phoebe has already been pregnant once this year, but sadly absorbed the embryo after 27 days. Undeterred, Katie tried again, this time using semen from the RLB stallion, the same sire as Denver. The results? Phoebe is confirmed pregnant at 19 days along and is being carefully managed with Regumate to support her pregnancy.
This success is especially sweet given her recent setback. "She's got it in there," Katie beamed. "Hopefully it stays." That makes two confirmed pregnancies in a row, momentum is building.
Maggie: Third Time's a Win
Maggie's journey is another testament to patience in horse breeding. Purchased already pregnant, Maggie struggled last season due to poor body condition, likely dragged down by her pasture mate, Molly. After a year off and a much-needed refresh, she looks fantastic, and it shows. Her third embryo transfer of the year took, and she's now carrying a full sibling to Kirby, sired by Machine Made and damed by Kennedy.
The best part? Maggie gets to stay with her best friend, Charlotte, who is also pregnant. That brings the total to seven foals on the way!
Ginger: A Setback and a Plan
Unfortunately, not every mare got good news. Ginger was bred to Making Me Willie Wild, and while timing seemed perfect, she showed signs of retained fluid, likely from a reaction to the semen or an unnoticed infection. The vet confirmed she is not pregnant, and she'll be left open for the remainder of the year. But Katie has plans to try again next season, possibly with a fresh embryo from VS Code Red.
Ethel and Willow: Wait and See
Ethel is being left open intentionally this year, and Willow is still pending a check. She recently received an embryo transfer and, although no pregnancy was detected at day 12-13, it could simply be too early. Katie remains optimistic, noting that Willow looks great and has already come a long way from her underweight condition when she arrived.
Willow is carrying for Trudy (aka Cat Tails Are Blazing) and Good Better Best, which would make the foal a full sibling to Hank, Katie's best performer, and Daphne, her yearling. Fingers crossed for that heartbeat check next week.
Happy and Sophie: Still in Limbo
Happy and Sophie are also part of this intricate puzzle. Sophie's embryo hasn't returned yet, and Happy's outcome is still up in the air. If things don't work out for them this year, Katie's team will start prepping them early for next season, optimizing every opportunity for success.
Final Tally: Eight Foals and Counting
By the end of the day, Katie Van Slyke had confirmed four pregnancies out of five checks, bringing her total to eight foals expected next year. Two more embryos are still pending, but the mood is hopeful. "That's some news I needed," Katie said. "Today felt like a saving grace."
In a final health measure, Katie's team performed a Caslick procedure on Maggie, sewing part of her vulva to prevent fecal contamination and support the pregnancy. It's a common and effective practice for mares carrying valuable embryos.
As the breeding season wraps up, Katie is taking stock of who's in foal, who's taking a break, and who might carry for others next year. "A lot of mares next year won't be carrying their own babies," she noted. "But that doesn't mean they're freeloaders."
From embryo transfers to hormone support, Katie Van Slyke's horse breeding operation is nothing short of a masterclass in patience, science, and heart. With eight confirmed foals and two more pending, it's shaping up to be a strong year, and one we'll all be watching closely.
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