Date: Thursday, 14th February 2008

Time: 10am sharp

Venue: Teagasc Office, Castlemeadows, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Ph: 0504-21777

Four day course in

Horse Breeding and Management

Will be held in Teagasc Office, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
February 14th, 21st, 28th and March 6th 2008

Full details from Teagasc, Thurles
Telephone 0504 21777

14th February

Thursday

Welcome, Objectives, Timetable

Michael White

Reproductive Anatomy

Norman Storey

Mare/stallion

Norman Storey

Breeding Cycle

Norman Storey

21st February

Thursday

Teasing, Covering, Artificial Insemination

Norman Storey

Infertility

Norman Storey

Feeding

Norman Storey

28th February

Thursday

Foaling

Norman Storey

Grassland

Norman Storey

Health Care

Vet

6th March

Thursday

Care of the new born foal

Norman Storey

Young horse rearing

Norman Storey

Economics of breeding

Norman Storey

REPS

Michael White

Learning outcomes. On completion of this course the learner should be able to:

1. Devise a breeding programme
2. Describe reproduction in the mare and stallion
3. Specify feeding and management requirements for pregnant and lactating mares
4. Specify feeding and management requirements of young horses from birth to three years of age

Syllabus content:

1. Breeding Programmes:
1.1 Set breeding objectives
1.2 Outline costs involved
1.3 Mare and stallion selection criteria

2. Reproduction in the Horse:
2.1 Anatomy of mare and stallion reproductive systems
2.2 Physiology of the breeding cycle
2.3 Teasing and covering
2.4 Pregnancy diagnoses
2.5 Stud records
2.6 Artificial insemination
2.7 Infertility

3. Feeding and Managing Pregnant and Lactating Mares:
3.1 Feeding
3.2 Grassland Management
3.3 Health Care
3.4 Foaling

4. Rearing Young Horses from Birth to Three Years of Age:
4.1 Care of the new born foal
4.2 Care of the orphan foal
4.3 Foal management to weaning
4.4 Weaning
4.5 Rearing from weaning to three years of age

Teaching and learning methodologies:

• Classroom instruction supported by videos and slides
• Discussing
• Demonstrations
• Visits to stud farms

Assessment methods:

To be assessed by:

1. Written assignment relating to a breeding programme for at least 5 mares (home unit or designated mares) - 70%

2. Written examination without access to notes (based on 15 short answer questions) - 30%

Grade: Unsuccessful 0-49%, Pass 50-64%, Merit 65-79%, Distinction 80-100%

Required reading and other learning media:

1. Course Notes
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Practical - 0

Assigment/Project - 70

Final examination - 30

Total - 100

Hours - 25

Number of credits - 2

Number of final exams - 1

Duration of exams - 1hr