Page 155 - 2012 Stallion Register

Smart Ranches, Inc.

Dear Friends,
I do mean friends. Working with and being associated with a stallion such as DASH TA FAME has been one of those rare lifetime opportunities. I and my staff only had a few short years with him but DASH TA FAME made such an emotional impact on each of us. He truly was a rock star and that is attributed by all the emails, letters, Facebook posts, flowers, cards, and verbal condolences received. Bob and Darian Burt were so greatly touched by the outpouring of emotion expressed by so many people. From all of us, we can only say . . . Thank You!
I have wanted to sit down and write this letter for many days, but really, I knew I would never be able to finish it. It still seems like only yesterday he was here letting his presence known every time a mare came his way. Every breeding day he was grabbing the lead shank with his teeth and dragging Steve or Osvaldo to the breeding shed. He had his stall at the front of the barn and I could see him first thing every morning and every evening as I ended the day. Sixty-seven days later I still find myself looking for him . . . morning and night.
He left us suddenly and we still, despite some very significant efforts, have been unable to find a cause for him to have passed away. Philosophically, I have to put it in perspective as he came to us for a reason and he or some higher power wants us to make it happen. NOW!
We all would have preferred later, but . . . NOW is here.
Mr. Bob Burt has spent a great deal of time and effort making sure DASH TA FAME’s genetics could continue on in the form of frozen semen. There is semen available for both domestic and international use. Not as much as wanted, but if managed carefully, there should be enough to breed mares for the next few years.
The first phase of our job was to obtain as much semen from DASH TA FAME as we could and continue
his breeding legacy while he was alive. The second phase was to make sure the frozen semen was effective in creating viable healthy foals. We have a tremendous amount of data on his frozen semen here in the states and internationally in Brazil. Not only do we know the semen works, but it works very well. When used carefully with modern breeding protocols, experienced professionals are achieving very high pregnancy rates.
NOW! The most important phase requires us to steward DASH TA FAME’s frozen semen carefully and smartly. This must be done to continue his legacy.
There have been several great stallions who have passed away with frozen semen available . . . but DASH TA FAME is unique in that his semen is very effective, his babies continue to tear up the track or the arena, and most importantly . . . the owner wants him to remain the people’s horse.
We have attached a jpg of a picture of DASH TA FAME where I think Deanna Sparks the photographer captured the essence of this horse. Come on! Let’s go! I’m leading the way!
William E. Swyers, DVM

SPEEDHORSE 153