Texas boasts a vibrant equestrian community, and the demand for knowledge in equine reproductive management is consistently high. Recognizing this, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horse specialists Dr. Chelsie Huseman and Dr. Jennifer Zoller have developed comprehensive educational programs to meet the needs of horse owners and breeding managers. Initially offered as in-person, highly sought-after short courses, these programs have been adapted into accessible online formats, allowing a global audience to benefit from their expertise.
The live equine reproductive management program, led by Dr. Huseman and Dr. Zoller from the Department of Animal Science within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, consistently faces a waiting list due to limited capacity. This success spurred the development of an online course, which was first launched out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had such a positive response to the resource that we decided to make it a permanent online course for anyone in the world who wanted the information but couldn’t make a trip to Texas to get it,” Dr. Huseman explained. This initiative ensures that valuable knowledge about breeding programs is not confined by geographical limitations.
Equine Reproductive Management Short Course: A Deep Dive
The in-person Equine Reproductive Management Short Course, held at the Equine Nutrition and Reproduction Research Center, is meticulously designed for individuals aiming to optimize their breeding programs. This intensive three-day course, approved for 14 CEUs for the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, covers a broad spectrum of essential topics. Classroom sessions delve into the intricate anatomy and physiology of both mares and stallions, the effective control of the estrous cycle, the nuances of gestation and foaling, and specialized feeding strategies for broodmares and young horses.
Beyond theoretical knowledge, the course provides invaluable hands-on laboratory activities. Participants gain practical experience in semen collection and evaluation, accurate estrous detection, artificial insemination techniques, body condition scoring, perineal conformation evaluation of mares, and hands-on foaling management. The comprehensive content is tailored to be beneficial for horse owners across all segments of the breeding industry, offering insights that can be directly applied to their operations.
While the in-person course is capped at 12 participants and offered at a fee of $700, its popularity means it fills up rapidly, necessitating a waitlist. To address this demand and offer greater accessibility, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides an online equivalent. This digital program brings the expertise directly to horse breeders nationwide and worldwide. It features detailed modules on stallion reproductive management, mare reproductive management, and an insightful virtual tour of the equine reproductive facility. Key management techniques, such as preparing on-farm foaling kits, conducting pregnancy checks, and implementing artificial lighting systems, are meticulously demonstrated for viewers. The online course is available for $300 at https://tx.ag/EquineReproShortCourse.
A natural progression from the reproductive management course is the Mare and Foals Workshop, also offered online. This specialized workshop hones in on the critical foaling process. It covers predicting and preparing for foal arrival, postpartum placental evaluation, and the crucial aspect of proper nutrition for both pregnant mares and their foals. Additionally, it guides participants through developing and administering an effective vaccination program for broodmares and foals. The Mare and Foals Workshop is priced at $75 and can be accessed at https://tx.ag/MareFoalWorkshop.
Looking ahead, Dr. Huseman is actively developing a new online course focused on training stallions for semen collection, with an anticipated launch in early 2023. “We’ve had a lot of requests from past attendees for information on how to train the stallion to collect,” she noted. While the annual in-person course utilizes seasoned, well-trained stallions, direct demonstration for participants is challenging. However, with the support of industry partners and several up-and-coming Texas A&M stallions, video footage has been captured, illustrating the progressive stages stallions undergo to learn collection techniques on a phantom.
About the Equine Experts
Dr. Chelsie Huseman’s passion for equine reproductive management ignited during her master’s studies at West Texas A&M University, where she researched embryo recovery in reproductively abnormal mares. At Texas A&M, her interests broadened to include skeletal adaptation to exercise and whole-body vibration. She continues her valuable research in equine reproductive management, including recent studies on novel semen analysis technology utilizing iPads. Dr. Huseman has leveraged her extensive expertise to develop numerous impactful programs, workshops, and resources for horse owners in Texas and beyond.
Dr. Jennifer Zoller plays a pivotal role in providing statewide leadership for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of AgriLife Extension’s educational programs in equine sciences. Her responsibilities include providing leadership for the State 4-H Horse Show, the Texas Horse Help mobile application, and statewide horse judging competitions. Her research interests encompass energy balance, optimizing nutrition programs by manipulating the body condition of exercising horses, and exploring the health benefits derived from participation in equine activities. For further details on their educational programs, both online and in-person, interested individuals can contact Dr. Huseman at [email protected] or Dr. Zoller at [email protected], or by calling 979-845-5264.
