Hands on Training Courses

Starting in spring 2008, our specialised knowledge is going to be available to others through our customised courses on breeding management. These courses are scheduled on demand and once 4 to 5 people have signed up. The courses can run from a 1 day intro to a 5 day course and will be set with the skill level and requirements of the participants in mind.

In all cases, the courses will focus on practical equine reproduction with Victoria Vallance (who lectures in Equine Reproduction at Massey University) and will include extensive hands on for the course registrants using real life examples from the Longspring operation, or others as available.

Tutor: Victoria Vallance BSc MVS (in progress) (assisted where required by Rupert Vallance and other staff) at times we will have invitational tutors as well.

The cost of each course includes morning and afternoon tea and lunch as well as all consumables, equipment used for the course and course notes.

Stallion Collection / Semen Evaluation

This course is designed for the stallion owner who wants to start shipping fresh semen. Some experience with handling a stallion is expected, but the course will cover all aspects of semen collection starting with training the stallion. Several stallions will be utilised to demonstrate differences in handling, collection methods/procedures and seminal characteristics.

Topics will include (but not exclusively):

  • Theory - Stallion anatomy, spermatogenesis, breeding management of the stallion.
  • Practical – handling of the stallion preparation of AV, semen collection, semen evaluation and shipment procedures
Tutor: Victoria Vallance (assisted where required by Rupert Vallance)
Location: Syenz - Masterton
Cost: The cost for the course will be $650 + GST
Duration: Two Days
Tentative Dates: 6-7 September 2008
4-5 October 2008

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Mare Reproductive Management

This course is designed for the horse owner who wants to breed their first mare; or wants to set up in the business as well as the established breeder. This course would suit anyone looking for a better knowledge of how to get their mare in foal and what to do to keep her in foal.

Topics will include (but not exclusively):

  • Mare anatomy and understand the oestrus cycle
  • Management of the mare and manipulation of the oestrus cycle
  • Preparation of the mare for breeding including hygienic practises
  • Infertility and the causes
  • Pregnancy and parturition
Tutor: Victoria Vallance
Location: Syenz - Masterton (we are happy to hold this course in other centres if enough interest is generated)
Cost: The cost for the course will be $285 + GST
Duration: One Day
Tentative Dates: 24 August 2008
14 September 2008

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Artificial Insemination

This is a more intensive course designed for the stallion or mare owner who needs to know more about using shipped fresh semen and how to monitor the mare reproductive cycle to best advantage. Registrants will be shown scanning of mares and learn what to look for on the scan but will not actually do any scanning. Semen evaluation techniques will be looked at.

Topics will include (but not exclusively):

  • Mare anatomy and understand the oestrus cycle
  • Management of the mare and manipulation of the oestrus cycle
  • Preparation of the mare for breeding including hygienic practises
  • Infertility and the causes
  • Artificial Insemination Procedure
  • Post Insemination Semen evaluation
Tutor: Victoria Vallance (assisted where required by Rupert Vallance)
Location: Syenz - Masterton
Cost: The cost for the course will be $695 + GST
Duration: Two Days
Tentative Dates: 27 - 28 September 2008
11 - 12 October 2008

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Parturition and care of foal

This course is designed for the horse owner who wants to foal their own mare or those who just want to learn more about the whole process. This also covers the care of the new born through to weaning and other associated topics such as handling and castration.

Topics will include (but not exclusively):

  • Pregnancy and parturition
  • The neonatal foal and older foal
  • Handling and care
  • Weaning and puberty
Tutor: Victoria Vallance and Rupert Vallance
Location: Syenz - Masterton (we are happy to hold this course in other centres if enough interest is generated)
Cost: The cost for the course will be $276 + GST
Duration: One Day
Tentative Dates: 19 October 2008
09 November 2008

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Guest Tutors

Dr Paul Mennick will be visiting New Zealand on a regular basis and will be available when here for a 1 or 2 day equine reproduction course here at Longspring. If you are interested, please get in touch so that you can be on our mailing list for upcoming courses.


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