Inside the National Stud Stallion Unit

24 May 2002

• The Thoroughbred breeding season runs from 15 February to 15 July

• The stud has six resident stallions each covering up to 110 mares
• The unit consists of eight stallion boxes, a vet lab, feed room, tack room and the covering barn
• The stables have rubber floors and walls, CCTV cameras and infra-red heaters
• The covering barn is approximately 40ft square with a woodchip surface on the floor
• The barn has a viewing gallery to allow visiting grooms or owners to observe coverings in safety
• The barn includes a teaser’s box and vet stocks in the entrance

All mares are fitted with protective hind hoof boots before covering to prevent the stallion from being injured

Read more about the National Stud:

• Inside the National Stud Foaling Unit
• Tour season at National Stud
• The role of the farrier at the National Stud