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Getting the Mare in Foal

Potential reasons for failure to conceive and pregnancy loss

1 lessons

Duration:

45 minutes

A mare gently nudges her newborn foal.

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. 

Getting the Mare in Foal

Procedures to Optimise Fertility After Covering

1 lessons

Duration:

1 hour

A newborn foal lying in a bed of straw with its mare.

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. 

 

Getting the Mare in Foal

Procedures to Optimise Fertility Before Covering

1 lessons

Duration:

1.5 hours

A newborn foal lying in a bed of straw with its mare.

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. 

Getting the Mare in Foal

The Oestrous Cycle

1 lessons

Duration:

45 minutes

A mare gently nudges her newborn foal.

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. 

Getting the Mare in Foal

The Reproductive Tract

1 lessons

Duration:

30 minutes

A mare gently nudges her newborn foal.

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.

Why learn with TB-Ed

Flexible Learning

You can access courses and resources in your own time and complete them at your own pace. Access them on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone, plus you can revisit, pause or rewind as many times as you like.

Specialist Expertise

Our courses and resources are written and delivered by industry experts – watch or listen to key people within the Thoroughbred breeding industry. From veterinarians to nutritionists, our experts have extensive knowledge and experience... and are here to support your education in the breeding industry.

Interactive Courses

TB-Ed courses and resources are delivered in a variety of methods – watch webinars, videos and talks, or listen to a podcast. Our courses are also accompanied by downloadable resources too, and at the end of each course, don’t forget to download your certificate.

Testimonials

I found the course informative, especially the information regarding registration of mares/foals, and the Weatherbys information. All the videos were brilliant.

Linda, Breeder

Having experts in their field gave videos real resonance and depth.

Dr Deborah Butler

Easy to understand, easy to do in your own time, suitable for entry level knowledge and brushing up on experience.

Sam, Stud Employee

All the information I needed was provided and the educational videos around foaling were really easy to understand.

Josh, Owner/Breeder

A horse picking grass