Today we visited a farm where they breed and raise
Thoroughbred race horses called “Haras Cerro Punta”. They have 140 horses total
including: 5 Thoroughbred stallions, 65 Thoroughbred mares, and 1 Percheron
stallion called “Centurion” - the remaining are yearlings.
Breeding takes place during the months of February-March
and the newborns arrive 11 months later. The mares give birth to their fouls in
a laboratory/clinic located in the basement level of the main house. Artificial
insemination is illegal in Panama, so all offspring are conceived naturally.
There is an on-site veterinarian 24/7.
The fouls are started in gate training at 5 months old. Here
they are fed their daily rations in an enclosed area designed to acclimatize
them to being in the starting gate. Race training begins at 17 months and
utilizes a rotational running machine designed to get the horses used to
running in an enclosed space. The horses are exercised daily at this higher
altitude location (2000 meters) in order to develop greater lung capacity and
endurance. At 2 years of age they are taken to Panama City where they are sold
at an auction that takes place at the Hipodromo Presidente Remon Racetrack. The
horses race from 2 to 6 years of age. 
4 of the Thoroughbred stallions here are from the United
States and one champion called “Figo” was born and raised at Haras Cerro Punta.
The 6th stallion residing here is “Centurion”. He is a 13 year old
2300 pound, majestic Percheron. He has a shiny jet black coat and a fabulously
wavy mane and tail. Not only is he handsome, but he is also extremely
good-natured and they will let you take a short ride on him if you want to give
it a try.
Tours are available at the farm daily from 8:30-5:30 and
cost only $5.00. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to see some
beautiful horses and learn something about the lives of racehorses.
No comments:
Post a Comment