Blended Learning Weanling to Three Year Old Husbandry & Early Training
Who is this course aimed at:
Horse and pony breeders, owners, and producers who are interested in improving or refreshing their knowledge on the topics of young horse husbandry and early training (from the ground, i.e. leading, loading, and lungeing). For those aged 18 years of age or older.
How is this course delivered?
The first three days are delivered online through Zoom, followed by one day of practical learning at Kildalton Agricultural College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
The course objectives are:
- To provide information on
the husbandry of young horses including weaning management through to three year old sales time (with inclusion of reference for those targeting foal sales) - To educate new/ inexperienced horse and pony breeders in the basics of nutrition, health care, weaning & castration, land management, and basic handling.
An accompanying course manual is also provided.
Course fee 200 euros
November 2026 Course
Overview of topics:
- Nutrition for young and growing equines – including a session with an equine nutritionist
- Health care basics
- How equines learn; and behavioural needs and responses – including a session with an equine behaviour expert
- Weaning and castration
- Land management and parasite prevention – with specialists in both topics
Session One | Tuesday, November 10th | 7pm to 9.30pm
Session Two | Thursday November 12th | 7pm to 9.30pm
Session Three | Thursday November 19th | 7pm to 9.30pm
Session Four | Thursday November 26th | 11am to 3.30pm
Click here to register for the course
Please Note:
Online sessions will be provided using the ‘Zoom’ platform therefore a good internet connection is required to engage fully with these.
Zoom classroom sessions are NOT recorded, to encourage full participation by attendees during interactive elements of the course.
While every effort will be made to retain the date, the farm workshop date may be subject to change should any issue arise with the farm / weather conditions.
This course is being delivered as part of the ECHO collaboration
Blended learning equine foaling and neonatal health
Who is this course aimed at?
Breeders (irrespective of breed) wishing to learn more about foaling and neonatal foal care can benefit from the course content.
For those aged 18 years of age / older.
The course objectives are:
- To create awareness of all aspects of preparation for foaling, normal foaling, and recognising dystocias (difficult presentations)
- To provide information to assist breeders in managing the basic health care needs of neonatal foals and recognising signs of illness
How is this course delivered?
The first two sessions of the course are delivered online through Zoom, followed by one half day of face to face workshop in a farm environment.
An accompanying course manual is also provided.
Course fee 175 euros
Next course – 2027 – Dates To Be Confirmed
This course is now closed. The below outline offers an insight into the format of these courses should you wish to express interest in future courses.
Expressions of interest in future courses or queries can be sent to wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie or Sean.E.Keane@teagasc.ie
Session One| Foaling (2.5 hours)
- Late gestation mare and preparations for foaling
- Foaling: normal foaling and dystocias (difficult presentations)
- Care of the mare after foaling
Session Two | Routine care of the neonatal foal and potential illnesses (2.5 hours)
- Routine care and monitoring of foals after foaling
- Neonatal and young foal health (and illnesses)
Session Three | On Farm Workshop (3 – 3.5 hours)
Practical aspects of foaling and young foal care
Please Note:
Online sessions will be provided using the ‘Zoom’ platform therefore a good internet connection is required to engage fully with these.
Zoom classroom sessions are NOT recorded, to encourage full participation by attendees during interactive elements of the course.
The farm workshop date (and venue) may be subject to change should any unforeseen issue arise, while every effort is made to retain the date and venue as advertised.
Blended learning equine reproduction
Who is this course aimed at:
Sport horse (and pony) breeders embarking on breeding for the first time or existing breeders aiming to improve or refresh their knowledge. For those aged 18 years of age or older.
The course objectives are:
- To provide information so that informed decisions can be reached to embark on a sport horse/pony breeding enterprise.
- To educate sport horse/pony breeders in the fundamentals of equine breeding, and reproduction husbandry.
How is this course delivered?
The first three days are delivered online through Zoom, followed by one day of practical learning on farm.
An accompanying course manual is also provided.
Course fee 200 euros
Next Course – 2027 – Dates to be confirmed
This course is now closed for applications. The below information offers a typical outline for future courses.
Expressions of interest in future courses or queries can be sent to:wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie or Sean.E.Keane@teagasc.ie
Session One | Anatomy and physiology (2.5 hours)
- Mare reproductive system
- Physiology of the breeding cycle
Session Two | Reproduction (2.5 hours)
- Reproductive soundness in the mare
- Pre mating mare management
- Mating management
- Mare management after mating
Session Three | Reproduction continued (2.5 hours)
- Subfertility in mares
- Artificial breeding techniques
Session Four | On Farm Workshop (4.5 – 5 hours)
The on farm workshop reviews equine reproductive husbandry while learning from a breeder, and an audience with a specialist repro vet.
Please Note:
Online sessions will be provided using the ‘Zoom’ platform therefore a good internet connection is required to engage fully with these.
Zoom classroom sessions are NOT recorded, to encourage full participation by attendees during interactive elements of the course.
The farm workshop date (and venue) may be subject to change should any unforeseen issue arise, while every effort is made to retain the date and venue as advertised.
