Equine Reproduction Short Course

2-day Equine Reproductive Management Short Course for Horse Owners:

2026 Course Date Options:
March 18-19
March 21-22

Register Here

* Note: There is a separate Foaling Seminar offered on March 20th

Course Location and Time: KSU Horse Teaching and Research Unit, Manhattan, KS., from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Course Description: The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) at Kansas State University will be hosting the Equine Reproductive Management Short Courses this coming spring for the 17th year. The course provides horse owners with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the techniques and procedures routinely performed on a breeding operation to maximize the efficiency and success of their own breeding program. Emphasis will be placed on obtaining an understanding of basic reproductive function as well as learning management techniques through a combination of discussions and hands-on laboratory sessions involving both mares and stallions. This 2-day interactive course is targeted towards the horse owner that is interested in starting a breeding program or the novice breeder who would like to improve or expand their existing program. It would also benefit the mare owner or the horse enthusiast who would simply like more information on the breeding process.

Topics to be discussed / demonstrated:

  • Estrus Detection
  • Mare Anatomy / Endocrinology
  • Use of Reproductive Ultrasonography
  • Semen Collection
  • Semen Analysis
  • Shipping / Receiving Cooled Semen
  • Artificial Insemination with Fresh and Cooled Semen
  • Perineal Conformation and use of Speculums
  • Control of the Mare's Estrous Cycle
  • Equipment Needs for the Breeding Lab
  • Breeding Contracts
  • Predicting Foaling

Participants will have the opportunity to gain supervised hands-on experience with the following: handling and collecting stallions, analyzing semen and determining insemination dose for on-the-farm breeding or shipping, preparing semen for shipping, artificial insemination, use of the speculum, and using pre-foaling mammary secretions to help predict foaling times. Approximately one half of the course will be devoted to hands-on learning. Ultrasonography will not be taught, but it will be discussed and demonstrated.

Some of the course activities will take place outdoors - please dress accordingly.

What sets this course apart from other reproductive short courses?

This immersive program is designed for those who want more than a classroom experience. Rather than spending significant time watching slide presentations, participants learn through hands-on involvement and real-time observation of reproductive techniques. By actively engaging with the material, attendees gain practical skills and confidence that are hard to replicate through lectures alone.

Class sizes are intentionally kept small to foster a welcoming, interactive atmosphere and to ensure ample one-on-one time with experienced instructors. This personalized approach allows participants to ask questions, refine their skills, and make the most of every learning opportunity. In addition, the KSU course continues to be one of the most affordable university-based reproductive short courses available.

Each participant receives a comprehensive set of course notes for future reference. A minimum of seven participants is required for the course to be held; should the course be canceled due to low enrollment, all registration fees will be fully refunded.

Why the later date for holding the course?

We use the KSU broodmares during the course to give participants the opportunity to practice artificial insemination techniques. Our broodmare herd usually consists of about 15-20 mares, with breeding beginning in mid-March and foaling starting in late March due to weather concerns. In order to optimize the number of mares available during our courses, we have to plan around this time frame.

Instructors: Taught by ASI equine reproduction specialists Drs. Joann Kouba and Sterling Buist, and assisted by KSU equine graduate/undergraduate students.

Registration Fee: $600 per person (limited to 10 people per course). Please read the information below about cancellations and refunds. Call for information on auditing a course (2 allowed per course).

Participants must be 18 years or older to register.

Registration is on a first-come basis and processed immediately in the order they are received. If a preferred course is full, please email Dr. Kouba (see below) to be placed on a waitlist in the event of a cancellation.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
* 100% refund if KSU cancels a course any time prior to a course start date.

* Cancellation prior to 2 weeks from a course start date will be issued a refund minus a $250 administrative fee per participant.

* No refund if a course is cancelled within 2 weeks of a course start date.

Registration substitutions can be made at any time, at no charge, by contacting Dr. Kouba (see below). Refunds typically take 2-3 weeks to process.

Kansas State University and its employees are not liable for any fees or personal expenses associated with the cancellation of a course, including participant travel or lodging cancellations.

Additional Information:

Written materials, a certificate of completion, as well as lunch and beverages will be provided both days for all participants. Coffee and pastries/fruit will be available each morning.

Directions and an itinerary will be sent via email with confirmation of registration. Short course participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations.

For questions regarding short course details or to cancel a registration, please contact Dr. Joann Kouba by email at jkouba@ksu.edu. Please leave a contact phone number on your email for a return call if preferred.

Read some Short course participant comments (.pdf) from previous courses.