If you're a horse-racing fan, it's hard not to envy Sandy Hatfield, stallion manager at Three Chimney's Farm in Midway. Hatfield, 47, gets paid to work with elite Thoroughbreds such as Smarty Jones, Point Given, War Chant and, until recently, Silver Charm. Collectively, the stallions under Hatfield's current care have won all three legs of the Triple Crown. She spoke with Louisville Magazine recently about the ways that Thoroughbreds make the transition from track to farm.
How do you introduce stallions to their new surroundings?
Three Chimneys Farm stallion manager Sandy Hatfield
"There are four corners to each paddock, and the first time we turn them out, there's someone standing in each corner. You're trying to keep them from running into the fence. We walk the new horse around the paddock and show them the boundaries. We show him the water tank and stay with him for as long as we need to."
How did Smarty Jones fit in with the other horses when he first arrived at Three Chimneys?
"He really didn't pay very much attention to them, to tell you the truth. But he doesn't like being out by himself. He's got four other horses around him and if we brought those horses in first, he'd run the fence. He likes to come in first."
What happens when you introduce a new stallion to the other boys?
"They introduce themselves. A lot of times a horse will need company in the paddock next to them. Even though they're separated, they're still herd animals and like seeing other horses. You wouldn't put them in the same field because they'd fight, but being able to see each other is very comforting."
Do colts naturally know how to be stallions?
"If you turned them out in a field with a mare in heat, I think they'd figure it out. But I'm not putting a $30 million horse out in a field. We help them learn. Since a young age, most colts have been taught not to think about fillies. Racehorses and yearlings have been taught not to show that part of their personality. It's part of my job to say, 'That's OK, now.'"
What kinds of things do you do at Three Chimneys to help young stallions better understand their new role?
"We're in the breeding shed. We handle them. How much time it takes depends on the horse. We were probably in the shed with Smarty for an hour. It's not only teaching them how to breed a mare, but teaching them manners, too."
Do the stallions ever show a preference for particular mare?
"Most horses like gray mares. I don't know why that is. They come in the shed more agressive and more talkactive when there's a gray mare there. Some horses like every mare. We've got a few of those - War Chant and Yes It's True."
What is the average number of mares a stallion at Three Chimneys will be bred to?
"Around 100. Smarty will be bred to 111."
What kind of stories can you share about the boys' unique personalities?
"They're all very different. Silver Charm loved to get out in front of people and pose. Smarty wants to be the first one in the barn. Wild Again (retired this year at the age of 25) loves attention, loves people and loves for your to talk to him. Point Given is pretty easygoing, unless you put a saddle on his back. he doesn't like that."
The hours are long and the work can sometimes be dangerous. Why do you do this?
"You have to love horses to do this job. It's a lifestyle. And it's exciting to see them do well - like to read that War Chant's off-spring are doing well on the racetrack. You sp/files/storyimages/a lot of time with these horses and you want them to do well."
