Claiborne Chronicles: Memorable Mondays

Data Link in his Claiborne Farm pasture. (Photos courtesy Alexa Ravit unless otherwise noted)
Since I arrived at Claiborne six weeks ago, I have come to LOVE Mondays. Yes, the most hated day of the week is my favorite one.
It is on this “dreaded” day that I go to the stud lot to work with the stallions and their grooms. Don’t get me wrong; I adore foals. I would spend all day playing with the babies on the farm if I could. However, working with the stallions has provided me with experiences that I had never had before interning at Claiborne.
WAR FRONT HALF-SISTER TO LEA

BLAME FILLY

I have been on many tours of Thoroughbred farms. When I was younger, I watched tough-looking men lead out massive, fierce stallions that no one of my size or demeanor could handle. At least, that is what I saw and believed back then.
All Thoroughbred stallions can be dangerous, and some are more dangerous than others. However, working with Claiborne’s stallions has taught me that your mental state is much more important than your physical size. In my visits to the stud lot thus far, I have worked with most of the stallions in some way. This list includes 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame, top sire War Front, and even the great pensioned sire Seeking the Gold at age 30. This is a testament to Claiborne’s stud grooms, who are awesome at taking care of both the stallions and the interns!

TRAPPE SHOT FILLY

TRAPPE SHOT

DATA LINK COLT

DATA LINK

During the week, there are breeding sessions at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., with a night session at 7 p.m., if necessary. When I arrive at 6:30 a.m., the stallions that are not scheduled to breed have already been turned out, while the stallions that are “on” stay inside until 8 a.m. The stalls are cleaned, and the stallions are groomed for their dates. It has been pretty humbling to brush off horses like Blame, Orb, and War Front. You cannot help but pause for a moment and revel in the fact that you are grooming a Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.
BLAME

ORB

WAR FRONT

Each breeding session goes differently depending on the number of mares to be bred and the behavior of the horses. The Claiborne stallions are very professional at their jobs, which makes the process easier for all of the humans and equines involved.
After the morning session, all of the stallions are turned out, the breeding shed is cleaned, and we get ready for scheduled tours. I am so excited to start assisting with the tours in the coming weeks! There is nothing I enjoy more than teaching people about the sport and horses that I love so much.
FIRST SAMURAI FILLY

FIRST SAMURAI

At 1 p.m., it is time to bring the stallions inside for their second meal and to be prepped for the 3 p.m. breeding session. I thought it felt empowering to be able to lead both a mare and foal at once, but walking alongside a prancing stallion is even better. As is always the case when working with stallions, confidence and control are key.
As the weather has finally started warming up, we interns have had the opportunity to bathe many of the stallions unassisted in the afternoons. We hold onto the stallion with one hand and scrub them with the other. It helps that we have cooperative horses!
RAVIT WITH BLAME

Photo courtesy Kevin Lay

RAVIT WITH DATA LINK

Photo courtesy Kevin Lay

KELSIE WARD WITH BLAME

Photo courtesy Kevin Lay

KYLE JOHNSON WITH WAR FRONT 

Photo courtesy Kevin Lay
By the time the stallions have been bathed, it is time for the 3 p.m. breeding session. The session works the same way as the morning one, with the notable difference being that the stallions go back to their stalls for the night afterward. In the next few weeks, this schedule will flip. The stallions will spend afternoons and nights outside, and they will be in their stalls in the morning. This schedule will be maintained through the summer.
Thus far, I have gone home every Monday evening and started counting down to the next day when I am at the stud lot. Each moment, there is a fantastic learning experience and an extremely enjoyable time with the most skilled and patient stallion grooms I could ever hope to work with. Being in the presence of some of the best horses in the country is icing on the cake.
Is it Monday yet?