<P><div class="articledate">24 May 2002</div> <li> The Thoroughbred breeding season runs from 15 February to 15 July<li> The stud has six resident stallions each covering up to 110 mares<li> The unit consists of eight stallion boxes, a vet lab, feed room, tack room and the covering barn<li> The stables have rubber floors and walls, CCTV cameras and infra-red heaters<li> The covering barn is approximately 40ft square with a woodchip surface on the floor<li> The barn has a viewing gallery to allow visiting grooms or owners to observe coverings in safety<li> The barn includes a teaser's box and vet stocks in the entrance<li> All mares are fitted with protective hind hoof boots before covering to prevent the stallion from being injured</td></tr></table> <b><font color="#880000">Read more about the National Stud:</font></b><ul><li> <a href="http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/careers/?afw_source_key={95D03ACD-9858-4885-A58A-DE1E51CBDB85}"> Inside the National Stud Foaling Unit</a><li><a href="http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/discipline/?afw_source_key={32845930-BC18-4D3B-B26B-E7CFC3846E4A}">Tour season at National Stud</a><li><a href="http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/careers/?afw_source_key={565B73DD-842B-4A60-8D34-5889B3986E82}">The role of the farrier at the National Stud</a>