The Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine kicked off its fifth annual Stallion Service Auction on Friday (Oct. 14). The event is a multiple-breed Internet-based benefit auction for the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Health Studies Program (EHSP) to expand and renovate the Equine Clinic, including the Equine Isolation Unit. The auction will run through Dec. 16.

The Equine Clinic provides advanced veterinary care and state-of-the-art services for equine patients. Rustin M. Moore, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, director of the EHSP, said, “Due to the expanding Louisiana horse industry, the Equine Clinic case load increases each year. To continue to provide efficient, quality care, it is necessary to expand the school’s facilities.”

Through the web site www.lsuequine.com, stallion owners donate a breeding session with their stud, either by live cover or by artificial insemination, to be bid on by mare owners locally, nationally, and internationally for the upcoming 2006 breeding season. Auction bidding begins on the service at 50% of the standard stud fee so interested bidders have an opportunity for reduced-rate breeding to top quality stallions. Donors of breeding services also benefit from extensive marketing and advertising of their stallions and farms via the Internet and equestrian publications.

Bidding began Oct. 14, and the site is open for potential bidders and donors to view. The first round of bidding will close on Oct. 28, and the final round will close on Dec. 16. Donations are welcomed and invited. Donations, including donated breeding services, are tax deductible for the fair market value, regardless of the winning bid price