Animal Science: Equine Reproduction Workshop

Laboratory for fundamental principles of the physiology of reproduction with emphasis on, but not limited to, farm animals. Must be taken concurrently with ASCI 3150. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: ASCI 2110, ASCI 2120; or Instructor permission. Co-requisite: ASCI 3150.

Instructor Permission Required; Prereqs: (ASCI 2110 and 2120) or 2105; Course dates: Dates March 27-2 Course dates: Dates March 27- 28, 2026 Pre- and Post-Online work, for the course such as readings, info session and a debriefing will occur. Lunch will be provided this year but students still need to provide their own transportation to Morgan Horse Farm. Fee: $250 Open to Degree and PACE students

This two-day course on Friday, March 27 – Saturday, March 28, 2026 is designed for students interested in an experiential learning opportunity focused on equine reproduction. Full days of lecture and hands-on labs will be offered from 10 AM – 5 PM, with Friday’s focus on the mare and foal and Saturday’s focus on the stallion.

In-person lectures will be held at the UVM Extension Office in Middlebury and labs will be conducted at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge, VT. Students are responsible for their transportation to the lectures and hands-on sessions. The lectures will be delivered by professionals in the equine industry in an applied format. Anatomy and physiology of the mare and stallion will be reviewed. Additionally, breeding decisions and management of the stallion and mare will be covered and include a focus on artificial insemination and other breeding technologies. Finally foaling and neonatal care will be discussed. The lectures will be followed by hands-on sessions at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm and will be directed in person by the lecturers. Opportunities to artificially inseminate mare, observe stallion semen collection and evaluate semen quality and processing for cooled-semen shipment will be provided to students. Outside the two-day workshop, students will additionally be required to participate on Foal Watch through remote monitoring of pregnant mares near time of foaling. Shortly after foaling, a day will be scheduled for students to return to the UVM Morgan Horse Farm to review neonatal care and assessment of broodmare after foaling. Students will be provided with a printed workbook of the lectures and continental breakfast/lunch on both days of the workshop.

This course will be graded pass/fail. Attendance for lectures and participation in hands-on sessions including the Foal Watch will be the basis for determination of pass/fail grade.