Where a horse is born....

[pointman]

Thanks, have to admit where they are born is beyond my knowledge, although, I am sure others on the site know. I can only guess that states may offer similar incentives to have foals born in their state, but that is just a guess.

[Cajungator26]

I would say it has something to do with the fact that the majority of decent broodmares are kept at the farms in Kentucky (like Mill Ridge, etc.)

[paisjpq]

In kentucky the Bluegrass region is actually a unique geological area...the 30 mile radius of land (approximate) that surrounds Lexington sits on a foundation of underlying limestone and minerals...this creates extremely fertile soil and the grasses in turn provide optimum nutrients (especially calcium) for growing bones in horses and other livestock. It is not by mistake that horse farms are concentrated in this area.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

In kentucky the Bluegrass region is actually a unique geological area...the 30 mile radius of land (approximate) that surrounds Lexington sits on a foundation of underlying limestone and minerals...this creates extremely fertile soil and the grasses in turn provide optimum nutrients (especially calcium) for growing bones in horses and other livestock. It is not by mistake that horse farms are concentrated in this area.

Same goes for Ocala, although the soil here is not as heavily concentrated as the soil in Lexington.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

In kentucky the Bluegrass region is actually a unique geological area...the 30 mile radius of land (approximate) that surrounds Lexington sits on a foundation of underlying limestone and minerals...this creates extremely fertile soil and the grasses in turn provide optimum nutrients (especially calcium) for growing bones in horses and other livestock. It is not by mistake that horse farms are concentrated in this area.

It sure isn't by mistake that the farms are concentrated in this area. At the outset of the Civil war, all of the wealthy horse owners in Virginia, Maryland, and the Carolinas sent their absolute best stock west so they wouldn't be commandeered by the Union/Confederate forces. The railroad went as far west as Lexington.

The war ended up being a much bigger event than they imagined, and what they planned on being a few months, turned into a few years.

So, the horses stayed in Lexington and the breeding industry thrived due to the absolute best stock in America being there. People didn't scout around and after a long and lengthy search land in Lexington and say "Alas, this is the perfect soil to raise thoroughbreds on!"

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by moodwalker

It sure isn't by mistake that the farms are concentrated in this area. At the outset of the Civil war, all of the wealthy horse owners in Virginia, Maryland, and the Carolinas sent their absolute best stock west so they wouldn't be commandeered by the Union/Confederate forces. The railroad went as far west as Lexington.

The war ended up being a much bigger event than they imagined, and what they planned on being a few months, turned into a few years.

So, the horses stayed in Lexington and the breeding industry thrived due to the absolute best stock in America being there. People didn't scout around and after a long and lengthy search land in Lexington and say "Alas, this is the perfect soil to raise thoroughbreds on!"

you are correct of course, and I didn't mean to imply that someone went out on a survey to find the best place to raise a horse...but the quality of the land is why they remained after the war, and why they reamain there to this day.
i believe the region is actually on an endangered resource list (I can't remember the details) due to loss of land for development.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

you are correct of course, and I didn't mean to imply that someone went out on a survey to find the best place to raise a horse...but the quality of the land is why they remained after the war, and why they reamain there to this day.
i believe the region is actually on an endangered resource list (I can't remember the details) due to loss of land for development.

I didn't think you implied that. I was just adding to your assessment.

My apologies if it came off as such.

[SniperSB23]

The funny thing is you always hear about this great Bluegrass in Kentucky yet the horses bred in NY race every two weeks while the KY breds race every 5 to 8 weeks until they get injured. I don't understand why anyone still drops their mares in KY with all the statebred incentives out there in CA, FL, NY, MD, LA, PA, etc.