If you are a horse owner or farm manager wanting to learn more about establishing or maintaining a successful equine breeding program–whether for one horse or 100–the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine Equine Reproduction Laboratory (ERL) presents its Horse Owner Short Courses in January providing you an in-depth education and hands-on experience in the reproductive management of stallions, mares, and foals.

Jan. 6-10, 2012–Equine Reproductive Management of the Stallion, Mare, and Newborn Foal

The flagship course of the program is designed for horse owners and breeders wishing to increase the efficiency and ultimately the success of their breeding programs. The course includes 20 hours of classroom instruction covering:

• Anatomy and physiology of the stallion genital tract;
• Semen collection and evaluation;
• Anatomy and physiology of the mare;
• Principles of artificial insemination;
• Use of cooled-transported semen;
• Hormonal control of the estrous cycle;
• Breeding management with fresh, cooled, or frozen semen;
• Evaluation of the problem (infertile) mare;
• Principles of pregnancy diagnosis and management of twins;
• Care of the pregnant, foaling, and postpartum mare;
• Complications of pregnancy;
• Prediction of foaling;
• Proper on-farm methods to assist with delivery of foals and when to call for assistance with a difficult foaling;
• Routine care and medical problems of the newborn foal; and
• Care of the orphan foal.

In addition, participants will have 15 hours of hands-on training in semen collection and evaluation; artificial insemination; preparation and use of cooled-transported semen; reproductive evaluation of the mare; techniques for prediction of foaling; on-farm obstetrical procedures; placental evaluation; assessment of colostrum quality and passive transfer of antibodies; and foal resuscitation. Palpation and ultrasound examination of mares will not be taught in this course