Every thoroughbred has a story and traceability is how we make sure that story doesn't get lost along the way. From registration with the General Stud Book to covering certificates, ownership changes and career moves, each stage is a touchpoint.
Miss one, and a gap opens up in the record of where that horse is and who's responsible for it.
The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) set out to tackle these data gaps as closing them is a shared responsibility, from the breeder who registers the foal to the owner who takes it on years later.
To help make sense of it all, the TBA has launched a new animatied resource and it's free to view.
 

Intermediate

Brought to you by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) the Getting the Mare in Foal Programme is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive online educational series designed specifically for the thoroughbred breeding industry.

Exclusive to TB-Ed, this industry-leading programme provides learners with a fundamental understanding of equine reproduction, from the basic anatomy through to understanding fertility optimisation strategies.

Potential reasons for failure to conceive and pregnancy loss examines the complex challenges of conception failure and pregnancy loss in thoroughbred breeding.

You’ll gain essential knowledge to identify, understand and address potential factors that prevent conception or cause pregnancy loss at different stages.

Through three focused modules, the course equips you with the knowledge to work effectively with veterinary teams to protect breeding stock and maximise fertility rates, and with expert veterinary insights and downloadable resources, you'll optimise your breeding decisions for maximum fertility success. 

Intermediate

Brought to you by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) the Getting the Mare in Foal Programme is a comprehensive online educational series designed specifically for the thoroughbred breeding industry. 

Exclusive to TB-Ed, this industry-leading programme provides learners with a fundamental understanding of equine reproduction, from the basic anatomy through to understanding fertility optimisation strategies. 

Procedures to Optimise Fertility after Covering focuses on the critical days following service when intervention can make the difference between conception success and failure. 

This fourth course in the programme explores post-covering examinations to detect infection, confirm ovulation and assess vulval competence.  

You'll understand the narrow treatment window - from five hours post-covering to three-four days after ovulation - when uterine flushes and oxytocin can help mares clear infection before the conceptus arrives.  

Learn why cross-covers can reduce fertility, when Caslick's operations improve conception rates and why secondary follicles risk multiple pregnancies.

Explore the progression of early pregnancy scans from 14 to 63 days, understand twin detection and reduction techniques and discover how hormone treatments can return mares to cycling after early pregnancy loss for re-covering. 

Intermediate

Brought to you by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) the Getting the Mare in Foal Programme is a comprehensive online educational series designed specifically for the thoroughbred breeding industry. 

Exclusive to TB-Ed, this industry-leading programme provides learners with a fundamental understanding of equine reproduction, from the basic anatomy through to understanding fertility optimisation strategies. 

Procedures to Optimise Fertility Before Covering is the third course in the programme and will equip you with the knowledge to maximise conception rates through preparation and timing.  

This course explores how extended daylight, nutrition and targeted examinations can support setting mares up for breeding success. You'll understand the critical pre-season screening protocols in the HBLB Codes of Practice, including swabs for venereal diseases and blood tests.  

Learn how teasing can improve mare readiness and the importance of pre-service procedures including endometrial swabs, ultrasound scanning, with real-life footage of a video endoscopy of a uterus. Also discover how vets advise on when to cover by monitoring follicle development. Understand when hormone treatments like progesterone, GnRH and prostaglandin are appropriate and learn about conditions like fluid, cysts and poor uterine tone that require intervention before covering. 

Written by and featuring subject matter experts with downloadable resources, you'll optimise your breeding decisions for maximum fertility success. 

Foundation

Brought to you by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) the Getting the Mare in Foal Programme is a comprehensive online educational series designed specifically for the thoroughbred breeding industry. 

Exclusive to TB-Ed, this industry-leading programme provides learners with a fundamental understanding of equine reproduction, from the basic anatomy through to understanding fertility optimisation strategies. 

This second course, The Oestrous Cycle, reveals nature's remarkable system for achieving efficient equine reproduction. The course explores the oestrous cycle and how hormones orchestrate it to synchronising foaling with optimal spring conditions.  

You'll understand the three main phases - anoestrus, dioestrus and oestrus - and discover how daylight triggers the complex hormonal cascade involving melatonin, GnRH, FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone.  

Learn how conception occurs, track follicle development to ovulation and understand the unique mechanisms that maintain pregnancy. Grasp why foal heat timing matters for breeding programmes and when hormone supplementation might be appropriate.  

With expert veterinary insights and downloadable resources, you'll optimise your breeding decisions for maximum fertility success. 

Foundation

Brought to you by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) the Getting the Mare in Foal Programme is a comprehensive online educational series designed specifically for the thoroughbred breeding industry.

Exclusive to TB-Ed, this industry-leading programme provides learners with a fundamental understanding of equine reproduction, from the basic anatomy through to understanding fertility optimisation strategies.

The Reproductive Tract is your essential first step in understanding thoroughbred fertility. This foundational short course explores the key organs involved in equine conception and pregnancy, from the ovaries that store a mare's lifetime supply of eggs, through to the natural protective barriers within the mare's reproductive tract.

You'll discover how external factors like daylight trigger the reproductive cycle, understand where conception occurs and learn why the uterus's condition is critical to fertility outcomes.

Written by subject matter experts and using video animation, you'll gain the anatomical knowledge needed to understand the main organs in the reproductive tract and work effectively with your veterinary team.

Intermediate

Weaning is one of the most critical transitions in a young thoroughbred’s life and how it's managed can have lasting effects on both physical development and mental well-being.

Weaning the Thoroughbred Foal: Key to Successful Rearing is an online course presented by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA), offering a comprehensive guide to this essential stage of rearing.

Through interactive modules, expert video insights and practical tools, this course explores the when, how and why of weaning. Learners will understand the latest approaches in maintaining growth, fostering resilience in foals, minimising stress and - ultimately - shaping healthy racehorses and future breeding stock.

Whether you're an employee, breeder, manager or equine student, this in-depth course provides the knowledge and confidence to implement best practices and evaluate the effectiveness of your weaning strategy.

This course is BHA CPD accredited.

Foundation

In this online and accessible course, you'll gain a sound understanding of the core themes of environmental sustainability through the shared experience of Peter and Emma Hockenhull, who have been at the helm of Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire for three decades.

The course will guide you through five interactive, video-based modules, with interviews at Shade Oak showcasing what sustainability looks like in real time at a stud farm.

You'll understand what steps they make in building a resilient, self sufficient and financially sustainable stud, while casting a careful eye on sound stewardship of the land as part of their day-to-day operations.

Plus, there's also a podcast at the end of the course featuring Phillip Norden (Associate Partner at Ceres Rural) and Paul Overton (independent equine agronomist) in conversation with TB-Ed discussing land management subsidies for stud farms.