Animal Sciences and Industry

Equine Reproduction Short Course

2-day Equine Reproductive Management Short Course for Horse Owners:

2025 Course date options:
March 20-21
March 22-23

Course Location: KSU Horse Teaching and Research Unit, Manhattan, KS

Each course starts at 8:30 each morning and will run until at least 5:00-5:30 p.m.

Course Description: The Department of Animal Sciences at Kansas State University will be hosting the Equine Reproductive Management Short Courses this spring for the 14th year. The course provides horse owners with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the techniques and procedures routinely performed on a breeding operation in order to maximize the efficiency and success of their own breeding program. Emphasis will be placed on obtaining an understanding of basic reproductive function as well as learning management techniques through a combination of discussions and hands-on laboratory sessions involving both mares and stallions. This 2-day interactive course is targeted towards the horse owner that is interested in starting a breeding program or the novice breeder who would like to improve or expand their existing program. It would also benefit the mare owner or the horse enthusiast who would simply like more information on the breeding process. The material level is not designed for the practicing equine veterinarian or the experienced horse breeder.

Topics to be discussed / demonstrated:

  • Estrus Detection
  • Basic Mare Anatomy / Endocrinology
  • Use of Reproductive Ultrasonography
  • Semen Collection
  • Semen Analysis
  • Shipping / Receiving Cooled Semen
  • Artificial Insemination with Fresh and Cooled Semen
  • Perineal Conformation and use of Speculums
  • Control of the Mare's Estrous Cycle
  • Equipment needs for the Breeding Lab
  • Breeding Contracts
  • Predicting Foaling

Participants will have the opportunity to gain supervised hands-on experience with the following: handling and collecting stallions, analyzing semen and determining insemination dose for on-the-farm breeding or shipping, preparing semen for shipping, artificial insemination, use of the speculum, and using mare milk to determine foaling times. Approximately one half of the course will be devoted to hands-on learning. Ultrasonography will not be taught, but it will be discussed and demonstrated.

Some of the course activities will take place outdoors - please dress accordingly.

What sets this course apart from other reproductive short courses?

This is not a lecture-based course where participants will primarily be sitting in a classroom watching multiple slide presentations. Our philosophy is that learning and understanding the material is maximized if you are able to participate in and see the techniques rather than just hear about them. Our class size is always more limited than any other university course in order to keep the atmosphere casual, to encourage interaction and questions, and to insure that you receive plenty of one-on-one time with instructors. The KSU course also continues to be one of the most affordable courses of its kind held at any university. A full set of course notes will be provided to all participants for reference purposes. A minimum of seven participants is required for a course to be held. If the course is cancelled due to low pre-enrollment, registration fees will be returned.

Why the later date for holding the course?

We use the KSU broodmares during the course in order to give participants the opportunity to practice artificial insemination techniques. Our broodmare herd usually consists of about 15-20 mares, with breeding beginning in mid-March and foaling starting in late March due to weather concerns. In order to optimize the number of mares available during our courses, we have to plan around this time frame.

Instructors:

Taught by Drs. Joann Kouba and Sterling Buist, and assisted by KSU equine graduate/undergraduate students.

Registration Fee: $550 per person (limited to 10 people per course). Call for information on auditing a course (2 allowed per course).

Written materials, a certificate of completion, as well as lunch and beverages will be provided both days for all participants. Coffee and pastries/fruit will be available each morning.

Directions and an itinerary will be sent via email with confirmation of registration.

Registration is on a first-come basis and processed in the order they are received. If a course is full, please email Dr. Kouba (see below) to be placed on a waitlist in the event of a cancellation. Registration substitutions can be made at any time, at no charge, by contacting Dr. Kouba.

Refunds are provided based on the following:
100% refund if KSU cancels a course any time prior to a course start date OR if a registered participant cancels by 2 weeks prior to a course start date.
50% refund if a registered participant cancels by 1 week prior to a course start date.

Short course participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. A list of hotels in the area will be provided with a registration confirmation notice that will be emailed to all participants.

Kansas State University and its employees are not liable for any lost fees or expenses related to registered participant travel or lodging cancellations.

For more information: Due to limited office hours, please contact Dr. Joann Kouba by email: jkouba@ksu.edu. Please leave a contact phone number on your email for a return call if preferred.

Read some Short course participant comments (.pdf) from previous courses.