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Select Breeders Service, Inc.
an SBS Network Laboratory

About SBS, MD

Mobile Lab Expands SBS Maryland
Equine Semen Freezing Capabilities

Expansion Increases Efficiency of SBS's
Storage & Distribution Program

Serving the Mid-Atlantic States & New England SBS, MD is located about 45 minutes North of Baltimore and 1 hour South of Philadelphia, convenient to Interstate 95 and Route 1. Our facility is based at Hilltop Farm, a 500-acre Sporthorse breeding and training center. Through our affiliation with Hilltop Farm and its exceptional staff we are able to provide the highest quality care. The Maryland complex includes a laboratory fully equipped with the latest technology for semen analysis, administrative offices, and an extensive frozen semen storage area which houses one of the nations largest equine frozen semen banks. The stable facility is directly attached to our lab and contains 8 - 12' x 14' stallion stalls.  Daily exercise* via turnout is provided for all stallions in a large stallion paddock and during inclement weather in an attached indoor arena.

Our 1500 square foot breeding shed is designed with safety in mind.  The floor is constructed of Dodge Regupol Pavers (non-slip recycled rubber tire bricks).  This easily disinfectable flooring system is an advantage and is a critical factor in the approval of our facility as an USDA approved export semen collection  center.  The phantom is well padded and is equipped with a hydraulic lift system which allows us to customize the height for each individual stallion.

* Stallion owner's who wish to have their stallion's exercised in a manner other than daily turnout (lunging, hand walking, riding, etc.) should inquire directly with Hilltop Farm as to the availability and costs of these services.

Mobile ServiceWith our 22' mobile laboratory SBS, Maryland offers mobile services to farm and veterinary clinics in the Mid-Atlantic region and New England.  The mobile lab is fully outfitted with all the equipment to collect, process and evaluate semen including a controlled rate cell freezer and Hamilton-Thorne computer assisted semen analysis system. Our primary travel area extends from our facility in Northeastern Maryland to Southern New York State, New Jersey, Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA region, and Maryland. Trips to New England and Virgina are also available by special arrangement. In addition of out USDA approved facility in Maryland, SBS Maryland has also developed relationships with several EU approved facilities from Maine to Virginia for freezing equine semen intended for export. Please call for more information or email info@selectbreeders.com. This mobile service covers semen freezing and embryo transfer services.

Other Services

Quarantine Freezing
SBS, Maryland is an USDA approved semen collection center for the collection of semen intended for export out of the United States. 

Embryo Transfer Services
Paul R. Loomis has provided embryo flushing and non-surgical transfer services to mare owners since 1983.  This service is provided at our Colora, Maryland facility and in a limited travel area.  SBS will flush and process embryos for cooled transport to commercial recipient programs or for non-surgical transfer into a client owned and synchronized recipient mare. For more information about this service contact SBS, Maryland directly.

Staff

Paul Loomis, MS Paul Loomis is founder and CEO of Select Breeders Service, Inc.  Established in 1987, SBS is the largest provider of equine semen preservation services in North America specializing in cryo-preservation, storage, domestic, and international semen distribution. Paul also directs an international network of affiliated laboratories, each committed to developing frozen semen technology that benefits the horse breeding industry. The network consists of 7 labs in the US, 5 in Europe and 1 in Australia. From 1987-1992, Paul was also Director of Biological Research at Hamilton Thorn Research Associates. Hamilton Thorn is probably best known in the horse industry as developers of the Equitainer system for cooled transported semen and instrumentation for computerized sperm motility analysis.               Prior to SBS and Hamilton Thorn, Paul was VP/General Manager of Green Hills Farm, Inc in Aiken, SC a large sport horse breeding facility. While at Green Hills, Paul developed (what was then) the largest commercial frozen semen breeding program for horses in the U.S. Paul is a recognized expert in the field of semen preservation. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a M.S. in Physiology (Equine Reproduction). He is the author of numerous scientific journal articles and regularly lectures worldwide in the areas of equine reproduction and semen preservation.

Julie Skaife Ph.D., Director of Quality Control Assurance Originally from the Lake District in England, Julie came to the US to study at UC Davis. She graduated with a PhD in Comparative Pathology from the School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. Her area of research specialization was membrane physiology and cryopreservation of equine and primate sperm. Julie joined SBS-MD in 2006 and manages the Affiliated Laboratory Network and SBS Quality Control Program. Julie also has an MSc in Equine Science from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and competes regularly in dressage and eventing.

Jonathan Clark, Laboratory Manager Jonathan is the senior freezing technician and laboratory manager at SBS-MD. His other responsibilities include off-site freezing projects and leader of the import/export department. Jonathan is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Animal Science and has been a member of the SBS team since 1994.

Tiffany Bragdell, Office Manager Tiffany joined the SBS team in November of 2007 as office manager and customer service representative. Prior experience as trainer/manager for a large Hanoverian breeding farm, where she assisted in the management of over 30 broodmares and collections of resident stallions, enables her to relate well with current and prospective clients. Her most important task involves informing customers of our services and the SBS message. Tiffany actively trains and competes in dressage.

Mardy Hahn, Laboratory Technician Mardy is a graduate of Otterbein College in Westerville OH.  With a B.A. in Equine Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine, she worked for a Quarter Horse breeding farm focusing on broodmare management.  After moving east from Ohio, Mardy joined the SBS-MD team in May of 2009; her responsibilities include semen collection, processing for cooled and frozen semen and media production.

Sydney Larsen, Distribution Technician Sydney is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Animal Science/Pre-Vet. She recently joined SBS-MD in March 2010 and will manage our frozen semen storage and distribution department. Sydney trains in dressage with her Thoroughbred gelding, Presto.