Besides 2002, when Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome diminished the year’s foal crop by approximately 2,000 foals, the North American registered foal crop has been stable at more than 37,000 foals annually since the year 2000. A moderate decline in the annual registered foal crop is forecast for 2008, followed by a more substantial decline in 2009.
Foal crops
are estimated against Reports of Mares Bred, scheduled to be filed by Aug. 1
of each breeding season. Foal registration is to be completed within 12
months of the birth of the foal. However, late registration is available for
additional fees, making actual foal crop counts impractical before Dec. 31 of the
crop's 2-year-old year, the time by which the vast majority of the foal
crop has been registered.