Training

Full Time Courses | Short Courses | Short Course Testimonials | Diary of an Equine Kid

Full time Courses

• Horsemanship Programme (Equitation or Stud Management) Level 5 and 6 Programme

Short Courses

Equine Breeding/Reproduction | Equine Foaling & Neonatal Health

Blended Learning Equine Breeding / Reproduction Course 

Who is this course aimed at:

Sport horse (and pony) breeders - those embarking on breeding for the first time or those who simply want to improve or refresh their knowledge. For those aged 18 years of age or older. 

Course fee 200 euros

The course objectives are:

1. To provide information so that informed decisions can be reached to embark on a sport horse/pony breeding enterprise.
2. To educate sport horse/pony breeders in the fundamentals of equine breeding, and reproduction husbandry.

How is this course delivered?
The first four days of the course are delivered online through Zoom, followed by one day of practical learning. 

An accompanying course manual is also be provided.

Autumn 2024 course is now open for registrations:

November 2024 Course

Session One |Thursday, November 7th 2024 | 6:30pm - 9:00pm 

The Breeding Programme

• Legislation
• Breeding goals
• Mare and stallion selection criteria

Session Two |Thursday, November 14th 2024 | 6:30pm - 9:00pm 

Anatomy and Physiology

• Mare reproductive system
• Physiology of the breeding cycle
• Reproductive soundness in the mare

Session Three |Tuesday, November 19th 2024 | 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Reproduction

• Pre mating mare management
• Mating management
• Mare management after mating

Session Four |Tuesday, November 26th 2024 | 6:30pm - 9:00pm

• Subfertility in mares
• Artificial Breeding Techniques

Please Note: Zoom classroom sessions are NOT being recorded, to encourage full participation by attendees during interactive elements of the course. 

Session Five | Thursday, November 28th 2024 | 10:00am - 4:00pm

Online sessions will be provided using the 'Zoom' platform therefore a good internet connection is required to engage fully with these. 

Practical workshop ON FARM related to equine reproductive husbandry. 

Learning from a breeder - choice of breeding stock, breeding decisions. Audience with a specialist repro vet. 

Expressions of interest in future courses or queries can be sent to: wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie or Sean.E.Keane@teagasc.ie 

Blended Learning Equine Foaling & Neonatal Health

Who is this course aimed at?
Breeders (irrespective of breed) wishing to learn more about foaling and neontal foal care can benefit from the course content. For those aged 18 years of age / older. 

The course objectives are:

1. To create awareness of all aspects of preparation for foaling, normal foaling, and recognising dystocias
2. 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.

A course manual will also be provided. Course fee 150 euro.

Autumn 2024 course is now open for booking:

October 2024 Course

Session One| Thursday, October 17th 2024 | 2.30pm - 5:00pm 

Foaling

• Late Gestation Mare and preparations for foaling
• Foaling - Normal & Dystocias
• Care of the Mare after foaling

Session Two| Thursday, October 24^th 2024 | 2.30pm - 5:00pm 

Routine Care of the Neonatal Foal/ Potential Illnesses

• Routine Care and Monitoring of Foals after Foaling
• Neonatal / Young Foal Health (and Illnesses)

Please Note: Zoom classroom sessions are NOT being recorded, to encourage full participation by attendees during interactive elements of the course. 

Online sessions will be provided using the 'Zoom' platform therefore a good internet connection is required to engage fully with these. 

Session Three| Friday, November 1st 2024 | 11.00am - 1:30pm

Practical aspects of foaling and young foal care
On Farm workshop - Venue Irish National Stud, Co. Kildare

Expressions of interest in future courses or queries can be sent to wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie or Sean.E.Keane@teagasc.ie 

Short Course Testimonials

2020/21 Equine Breeding Course Participants:

Dr Sinéad Corrigan, Monaghan "I thought this was a very well structured programme and one I would recommend. The content was engaging and informative in terms of many aspects of equine breeding."

Marguerite Kavanagh, Offaly "The knowledge gained via investigation of pedigree, progeny, competition results prepared participants to make well informed choices when breeding. It covers all aspects of breeding choosing suitable mares / stallions, feeding requirements pre and post foaling , identifying the phases in the mares’ cycle , the covering , types of semen and suitability for certain situations , scanning , foaling , health of mare and goal and how to deal with problems. Very interesting and it has certainly armed me with more confidence around breeding."

Gro Hylén, Louth"This course really boosted my interest and my knowledge of Sport Horse breeding. The knowledge I gained in researching pedigree, assessing a broodmare, foaling etc will be very useful for me as I am breeding my first Sport Horse this year."

Michelle Crowley, Cork "As a first time breeder, I found this course extremely helpful. It gave a comprehensive overview of everything that should be considered from genetics, mare and stallion selection, foaling through to mare, foal and young stock nutritional requirements and much more. The material was released on a weekly basis making it easy to build on your learning from week to week. I would highly recommend this course for first time and experienced breeders alike."

Peter Mannion, Galway  "Excellent course, great content and well delivered."

Pat Hassett, Clare "Highly recommend doing this course. Helps greatly in assessing animals for breeding etc Course is well structured and tutors very helpful."

Conor Wixted, Clare "Overall, I found this course very good. The notes and content provided were excellent and there was great support provided throughout the duration of the course. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone in the equine industry who is either starting out or looking to build on their knowledge of breeding mares and rearing young stock."

Roger Thompson, Down "Really enjoyed the course. Good modular layout and especially liked the Zoom meetings. Huge detail and yet a lot of points covered. I learnt a lot and have all the notes now to go back over."

Nicola Bolger, Carlow "Good course, learning’s very relevant to daily practice with equine stock."

Chris Snip, Mayo"I really enjoyed the course and got a lot out of it."

Maura Mckenna, Mayo "I really enjoyed the course from the comfort of home." 

Colin Folan, Meath.Really educational and informative course. Great value for money and highly recommend it.

Anonymous "This course excelled in two ways - firstly the quality of the course and the delivery by people who really know what they are talking about gave me an education in horse breeding I think I would struggle to get anywhere else and secondly, the community of people on the course who are in a similar position to me will allow me to make contacts and friends to continue my learning journey."    

Leanne O’Hara, Kilkenny "I signed up to this course in the hope to refresh and expand my equine breeding knowledge. In my opinion, the course is well suited to both modern sport horse and thoroughbred breeders. Upon finishing the course, I feel as though I am more equipped to design an effective, reliable breeding plan. I would highly recommend this course to first time, novice and advanced breeders."

Ber Murphy, Carlow : I found this course very beneficial to bring me up to-date with breeding.  

Anonymous "Great course even if you are not breeding as understanding breeding & genetics gives you a deeper knowledge & understanding of horses."

Samantha FitzSimons, Kildare "I really thoroughly enjoyed this course and would highly recommend it. The quality of the speakers was excellent and the course notes were great. A great course for anyone already breeding or planning to start breeding."                  

Anonymous "I found the Sport Horse Breeding distance learning course worthwhile and interesting. A new topic every week kept it fresh and the tutor was very helpful."

Jane Barry, Wicklow "I found the course very informative and the lectures very enjoyable, I found myself really looking forward to the weekly zoom calls and if for any reason I couldn’t attend live it was so easy to watch them back I’m looking forward to doing another course in the future."

Anonymous "The course covered a good range of topics and accompanied with good supporting notes which I found very useful. Lectures were delivered by experts but in an easily digestible manner. I have taken learnings from this course and will be implementing them in my own breeding programmes. I would certainly recommend this course to anyone who want to learn more about horse breeding."

Roisin Scully, Cork "Gained a wealth of knowledge. Easy to work around. Would highly recommend."

Anonymous "Anyone who has no formal training in equine production should do this course. Even if you have some knowledge and are managing, you still have loads to learn and I would highly recommend this course, you will look at your equine breeding in a far more informed light."

Karena Fitzgerald, Cork "This course was very informative for the novice as well as anyone who has bred horses before. It gives up to date and new information on new theories which are also very interesting. A well run course which all will benefit from."    

Diary of an Equine Kid

A Day in the Life of a Kildalton Equine Student