.:EQUUS:.

So study for my Horse Management subject at uni has me going over the anatomy and physiology of the stallion currently.  Upon looking at artificial insemination I realised I’d planned to do a piece with regards to Equitainers and after a quick search on this blog, it appears that I haven’t!

Those familiar with transporting semen with regards to breeding the mare, will be familiar with Equitainers.

For those who aren’t, an Equitainer is a container used to courier semen to mare owners so that the mare can be artificially inseminated within a particular time frame.  If the mare isn’t inseminated within this short time frame, chances are she will not conceive.  Consequently, the lining up work of the vet as well as expenses with regards to collecting from the stallion and the mare owner having to dish out a reasonable amount of money would all be wasted.

For those interested in the artificial insemination breeding side of horses, Equitainer.com of Hamilton Research Inc. provides information with regards to:
- reproduction courses
- different products to assist in the ease of preparing mares to be inseminated
- articles relating to transported semen, collection and general reproduction issues

In an industry where reproductive technologies are advancing at an impressive pace, someone stepped into a niche area, providing a product that is now recognised as one of the best for “equine cooled shipping semen containers,” says Paul Loomis of Select Breeders Services.

In the equine reproductive world, those making use of such technologies available may find themselves jumping ahead in the products and services that are able to be offered to equine breeders.

tag: artificial insemination, transporting semen, equitainer, breeding horses

“Breed the best to the best and hope for the best.” - Breeder’s axiom

So I got sent this link through uni and thought, ‘If only I had the money!’  Sounds like a great learning opportunity!

In Kings Canyon, the Northern Territory, Australia, this six day conference (June 21 - 26)  is “the perfect opportunity to mix science with travel, experience the Australian Outback and Aboriginal culture in one of the world’s best tourist destinations.”

Equine scientists from around the world will be there to discuss wild horses.  The countries/areas represented are:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• America
• Europe
• Africa

Places are limited with 50 on offer, the first paid being the ones who will secure these places.  Areas covered include the wild horse’s foot, ecology of feral horses in the Australian central desert, mustang behaviour and GPS tracking, Przewalski horses, photograph presentation of wild horses, desert horse GPS tracking, Konic horses and Kaimanawa horses of New Zealand.

As well as daily evening seminars, there will be observation of feral horses  and camels during the day and an activity at the waterhole at night.  Throw in a half hour helicopter ride, a 2.5 hour quad motorbike safari and you still haven’t covered it all!  Handling and quietening of brumbies will occur over a four day period as well as a camel sunset ride and guided tours around the area.

The cost is $1700 AUD per person.  This includes the conference, associated activities and accommodation as well as breakfast and dinner.  Further details as well as the daily program can be found at http://www.wildhorseresearch.com/.

tag: wild horses, brumbies, australia, horse conference

So you may argue that stallion handling isn’t a particular job.  Perhaps that’s the case but despite being a rather narrow job description, there are definitely people in the Thoroughbred industry (and I’m sure other horse areas) that are known for that particular role.

Don’t get me wrong, they do so much more than solely handling a stallion or stallions but there are specific people for specific stallions when it comes to breeding on Thoroughbred studs.

A largely male dominated field, I’ve worked with one very capable female stallion handler and know of a couple of others.

Consequently, I was surprised and interested to see a stallion management course on offer at the National Centre for Equine Education, Victoria, Australia.

“This program is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and professionalism of stallion managers, and to develop the skills of stallion handlers for career pathway promotion opportunities. Participants will be required to study under the guidance of Stallion Manager Mentors.”

What a great idea!  Especially for the minority females eager to get into this area of the Thoroughbred industry - or any other breed for that matter.  Put together specifically to further the knowledge and training of people involved with the breeding of racehorses, perhaps it’ll become something that many use to get their foot in the door.

Expressions of interest are being invited by the NCEE for this part time one year course that focuses on management of the stallion.

“You can tell a gelding, you can ask a mare, but you must discuss it with a stallion.”

tag: horse course, part time course, equine education, stallion handling, stallion management

Quite a few years back a mate asked if there was a short course they could do with regards to horses.  The idea was to gain a piece of paper to say they had been trained in one area or another for a job that involved a small amount of horse work.

Back then I wasn’t really aware of such short courses and think they’ve really come out in full force in recent years.

Today at the Melbourne Premier Sales one of the teachers from an equine education centre stopped by and handed out some information with regards to the short courses currently on offer.

The National Centre for Equine Education currently have short courses is:
- the safe handling of horses
- equine enterprise OHS
- running your horse business
- first aid for horses
- understanding your horse - equine behaviour
- marketing your horse business
- equine whole farm planning
- the sound horse
- equine nutrition - feeding your horse
- leadership and supervision in horse enterprises
- preparation and care of horse breeding stock
- foaling down
- equine staff management
- sustainable grazing and fodder for horse farms
- horse health
- manage horse breeding operations

These courses range from $128.00 through to $474.00 and are run over two to four consecutive days.  For those interested in perhaps pursuing a higher qualification, the majority of these short courses can be counted toward the Diploma of Equine Performance Management and the Diploma of Equine Stud Management.

Short courses are a great way to get a feel for a particular line of study, gain a piece of paper, some skills and perhaps a foot in the door of your desired industry.  If full time study isn’t possible, perhaps a shorter course is worth considering.

tag: horse course, short course, equine education

Today is Blog Action Day; this year’s topic being Climate Change.

Otherwise known as global warming, climate change has resulted from changes in weather patterns on account of increases to the Earth’s average temperature.

Environmental effects predicted include:
- Sea level rise
- Changes in rainfall patterns
- Changes in agricultural yields
- Increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events
- Water scarcity in some regions
- Increased precipitation in others
- Adverse health effects due to warmer temperatures

As people who are often working outdoors and reliant on particular weather patterns and rainfall as well as production of hay and grains, climate change is a concern for horse owners, workers and breeders.

Climate change is caused by increases in greenhouse gases from activities such as land clearing, burning fossil fuels and intensive agriculture.

Consider looking at the Blog Action Day ‘Take Action’ page to see some ways in which you can act with regards to this issue.

Global Warming at Wikipedia
Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Victoria, Australia

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Last year Blog Action Day focused on Poverty - check out the Equus post ‘Horses = …poverty?’

“I have seen soldiers panic at the first sight of battle, and a squire pulling arrows from his body to fight and save his dying horse. Nobility is not a birthright, but is defined by one’s actions.” - Kevin Costner in “Robin Hood, Prince Of Thieves

tag: blog action day, horses and climate change, greater cause