Ailments put Kingmambo on sideline

Kingmambo, who stands at Lane's End in Kentucky for a $300,000 fee, will miss about three weeks of the breeding season because of arthritis in his neck and possible infection of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.

Lane's End recently removed Kingmambo, a 15-year-old Mr. Prospector horse, from its lineup after he injured a leg while dismounting a mare, but in a release issued Wednesday the farm said the stallions "is now fully recovered from that incident."

According to the farm, radiographs and a bone scan have shown signs of arthritis at the base of Kingmambo's neck.

A farm statement said that veterinarians had recommended "a total break from breeding for approximately three weeks" while maintaining arthritis treatments, "appropriate gastrointestinal protectants, and the EPM treatment Marquis."

EPM is an infection that can cause neurological damage resulting in muscle atrophy, a lack of coordination, and other problems.

Lane's End said Kingmambo has covered 10 mares this year, with four confirmed in foal so far. Three more will be scanned this week, and three appear to be barren. He will undergo another evaluation on or about April 1.