tag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:/articles/feedSelect Breeders Service Article2023-09-17T23:55:28Ztag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6862023-09-17T23:55:28Z2023-10-26T11:59:40Z2023 SBS Foal Photo Contest Winner<p><strong> <img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4780/original/_2023_Foal_Peppy's_Texan_Jewel__Dam_Name_Boon_Too_Suen_cropped_300x.jpg?1694995105" alt="^2023_Foal_Peppy's Texan Jewel_ Dam Name_Boon Too Suen cropped 300x" width="301" height="331" /> Congratulations to Charlotte Hodgson who has won a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate for her photo of Ellen Downey’s foal, Peppy’s Texan Jewel (<a href="../../stallions/3930-boon-too-suen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boon Too Suen</a> x Pokies Princess Lee).</strong></p>
<p>We had a lot of great entries this year which made the judging all that more challenging. Notable mentions for this year’s contest include the runners up of Areej el Koloob 23 BM by <a href="../../stallions/5645-ameer-el-koloob" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ameer el Koloob</a> and Twilight Pleasure by <a href="../../stallions/4742-dark-pleasure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dark Pleasure</a>.</p>
<p>Click <a href="../../s/foals_2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to view photos of the other foals produced by SBS at one of our <a href="../../labs">SBS affiliate laboratories</a>. The contest may be over for this year but we would love to post your foal photos to our website. Please send them via email to <a href="mailto:erinbishop@SelectBreeders.com">erinbishop@SelectBreeders.com</a>.</p>
<p>Remember, have your cameras out next year to snap that winning photo for our 2024 SBS Foal Photo Contest!</p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6852023-09-17T20:08:06Z2023-10-26T12:00:16ZLeah Lively: Her ICSI Journey<p><strong> <img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4777/original/Leah_and_Baby_Photo_%282%29_-_cropped.jpg?1694981589" alt="Leah and Baby (2) Cropped" width="301" height="305" /> Leah Lively’s story with horses began as many others do. She rode horses as a child but as she grew older, moved away from horses when it was time for college, then marriage and kids. </strong> But her love for horses never dimmed. Leah took up riding again when her daughter began to ride ponies at the age of six. She couldn’t have imagined the journey she’d travel over the next eleven years on a quest for a foal. It’s a heartbreaking story but once it came full circle, Leah found her joy again.</p>
<p>In 2016, the sudden passing of Leah’s mom was difficult. However, this provided Leah with an opportunity to purchase a 4-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding from Europe which she named Hope (Mylord Carthago x Do V). His show name was Kolibrie, the Dutch word for hummingbird, the favorite animal of Leah’s mom. Leah’s time with Hope brought her dreams of jumping bigger jumps to life and she just adored Hope as well; her happiness with Hope reminded Leah of her mom. That is until a pinched nerve in his spinal column was detected and, based upon the recommendation of her veterinarian, Leah had to make the heart-wrenching decision to euthanize him at the age of eight. This was devastating to Leah after having endured the loss of her mom and now the loss of Hope. She felt like they were all connected somehow, making saying goodbye to Hope that much harder.</p>
<p>Leah decided to try again. This time she wouldn’t be searching for a young horse but a “been there, done that” kind of horse. In their search, her trainer found a 9-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare named Fierte D’Eduoard Joy (Ogano Sitte x Dizzy van den Bisschop), but who Leah called Dove (<em>pictured middle</em>). Dove was advertised as standing 16.3 hands, so Leah was surprised upon meeting the mare at quarantine to find she was actually an incredible 18.1 hands tall. Leah said of her mare,</p>
<h5><em>“Though Dove was very large, she had a fabulous personality, could jump the moon, was a people kind of horse and was just all around wonderful!”</em> </h5>
<p><img style="float: right;" src="../../system/attachments/4778/original/Dove_Photo3_500x.jpg?1694981601" alt="Dove Photo3 500x" width="257" height="343" /> Their first six months together were amazing. Then, Leah began to observe a small, occasional hitch in the mare’s step. Dove didn’t act as if she was in pain and continued to jump as normal. Yet, Leah went above and beyond with diagnostic x-rays to find the source of the problem, a bone chip. The bone chip was surgically removed and the mare went back to work. </p>
<p>Soon after her bone chip surgery, Dove developed a serious case of cellulitis which required a nine day stay at a veterinary hospital. After treatment, Leah took her home and began riding again with assurance from the veterinarian that the cellulitis was not likely to recur. However, it did two more times. Each bout with the infection was incredibly painful for Dove and required another stay at the veterinary hospital. Leah was not aware of the kidney damage taking place each time Dove underwent treatment for her cellulitis. She was informed during the mare’s last hospital stay that Dove had permanent kidney damage and, for the second time in two years, a choice would need to be made. Neither option allowed Leah to keep her beloved Dove for as long as she’d hoped. She would need to either euthanize her now or keep her until she began to show signs of kidney failure. With a heavy heart and not sure what to do, Leah took Dove home and began to weigh her options. </p>
<p>The sudden loss of her mom, the tragic loss of Hope, and now she was going to lose Dove. Leah’s dreams and heart were broken. In passing, she mentioned to a friend how she wished she could have had a foal from her favorite mare before needing to let her go. Her friend suggested the process of Ovum Pickup (OPU) and Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). As fate would have it, a vet close by offered OPU at their clinic.</p>
<p>She began doing research about the procedures and then contacted Dr. Ryan Ferris of <a href="../../labs/42-se">Summit Equine</a> (an SBS Affiliate Member) to discuss if OPU and ICSI were viable options for Dove. Leah said, <em>“I was surprised at how easy the process was and that it could be performed while the mare was alive or post-mortem.” </em>Knowing that doing OPU while Dove was alive was optimum, Dr. Ferris asked Leah to bring the mare in for an evaluation to determine if they should proceed. After examination, Dr. Ferris felt the mare was a good candidate for the procedure and Leah took Dove back to the clinic two days later for the OPU procedure. </p>
<p><img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4779/original/Baby_Photo_%282%29_500x.jpg?1694981615" alt="Baby Photo (2) 500x" width="264" height="369" /> With the support of her husband and daughter, Leah began this process with Dove in the hopes of obtaining one foal from the process. She knew that statistically, one embryo is obtained for every 6 oocytes harvested. From the OPU procedure, Dr. Ferris actually obtained 16 oocytes from Dove’s follicles. After retrieving the oocytes, they were cleaned and packaged for shipment to Equine Medical Services in Missouri for maturation and eventual fertilization. Upon arrival in Missouri, the oocytes were placed in maturation media for 24 hours. Any mature oocytes would undergo the ICSI process and be injected with a single sperm cell. After sperm injection, they were monitored for cell division or “cleavage”, which is the first step in becoming an embryo. For fertilization, Leah chose to purchase frozen semen from the accomplished jumper, Vagabond de la Pomme (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Sauterelle de la Pomme). After all was said and done, Leah had 6 viable embryos from the 16 oocytes recovered and more decisions to make. What would she do with the possibility of six foals?</p>
<p>Five of the six embryos were frozen and placed into storage for future use. One embryo was not frozen but flown to a facility for immediate transfer into a recipient mare. She also opted to sell one of the frozen embryos to a local trainer who had it thawed and transferred into a recipient mare as well. As a result, Dove now has two beautiful babies on the ground! Leah said,</p>
<h5><em>“When it was time to let Dove go, I had peace knowing that a part of her was going to live on in these foals. I would really like to have my own little flock of Dove babies one day but right now, it’s the first time in years I have felt things are in a good light.” </em></h5>
<p>Leah and her family fondly refer to their Dove foal as Baby (<em>pictured top and bottom</em>). He may not be grey like his mom but he’s going to be big like her and he has the same giant ears and kind eye. Seeing those big ears allows Leah to remember the good times with Dove and have hope for her future with horses. “<em>He makes me happy every single time I see him. Even after my worst day at the office, coming home and seeing his sweet face and giant fuzzy ears make me smile.</em>” Baby lives at Leah’s house along with her daughter’s retired pony and will be joined by his sibling when it is weaned. The youngsters will stay together until they are old enough to begin training. Leah said,</p>
<h5><em>“I encourage mare owners to try OPU/ICSI if you have the means but are on the fence about proceeding. It was not only a good option for my situation but is a great opportunity for mares in training or those on the show circuit. I don’t know what the future holds but knowing I have a piece of Dove makes my heart happy every day!”</em></h5>
<p><strong>If you like this article, you may also be interested in:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://info.selectbreeders.com/blog/genetic-preservation-in-mares-utilizing-tva-and-icsi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Genetic Preservation In Mares Using TVA and ICSI</a></p>
<p><a href="https://info.selectbreeders.com/blog/ovum-pickup-in-the-mare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ovum Pickup In The Mare</a></p>
<p><a href="https://info.selectbreeders.com/blog/intrafollicular-oocyte-transfer-in-the-mare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Intrafollicular Oocyte Transfer in the Mare</a></p>
<p><em>Baby photos by Tais Photo</em> <em>(www.tais.photo)</em></p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6842023-06-26T14:50:13Z2023-09-20T11:33:13ZInternational Symposium on Equine Reproduction – Dr. Ed Squires Recognized as Honorary Chair <p><img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4668/original/Honorary-Chair-Dr-Ed-Squires-1.jpg?1687791098" alt="Dr. Ed Squires - June 2023" width="300" height="300" /> Dr. Ed Squires and Paul Loomis, MS will be heading to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil for the International Symposium on Equine Reproduction (ISER) meeting to be held on July 10<sup>th</sup> – 14<sup>th</sup>, 2023. The ISER organization was formed to provide a format for equine scientists, veterinarians and educators to present the latest research findings on both mare and stallion reproduction.</p>
<p>ISER has been held essentially every 4 years since 1974. These meetings are by invitation only as a means of keeping them small to allow for a good exchange of research findings and future research projects. This format has fostered a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of time for social events as well as the sharing of science. Each meeting opens with a reception, then 5 days of meetings minus a break for a local outing on Wednesday afternoon and a banquet on Friday night. Workshops on Tuesday and Thursday evenings allow for topics to be discussed in greater detail.</p>
<p>The first ISER meeting was held in Cambridge, England in 1974. After that, different groups from around the world have put forth bids to host the next meeting. This resulted in the meetings being held in the following countries: Davis, California (1978); Sydney, Australia (1982); Calgary, Canada (1986); Deauville, France (1990); Caxambu, Brazil (1994); Onderstepoort, South Africa (1998); Ft. Collins, Colorado (2002); Kerkrade, Netherlands (2006); Lexington, Kentucky, (2010); Hamilton, New Zealand (2014); Cambridge, England (2018) and now in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil (2023).</p>
<p>At each meeting an Honorary Chair is selected by the committee. This is to acknowledge the persons contribution to equine reproduction and service to ISER. This year’s Honorary Chair is our very own Dr. Ed Squires. Dr. Squires joined SBS as a consultant in 2000. He is internationally recognized for his research in equine reproduction at both Colorado State University and the Gluck Center at the University of Kentucky. He leads the research and development efforts within the SBS network and is a vital link between SBS and the academic research community. He has received numerous awards and recognition over many decades for his dedication to the field of equine reproduction. Dr. Squires said,</p>
<h5><em>“I am honored to have been selected as the chair for ISER XIII and to be one of only a few that have attended all ISER meetings. This is particularly gratifying since ISER XIII is in Brazil, a country I have visited more than any and one full of many good friends and colleagues.”</em></h5>
<p>Paul Loomis has also played an integral role for this year’s meeting. He will serve as a Chair for one of the stallion sessions and was a reviewer of submitted abstracts on stallion reproduction topics. Reviewers score the abstracts and provide feedback that is used to determine which abstracts are accepted for presentation during the meeting.</p>
<p>ISER has recognized a lack of first-class continuing education resources in the field of equine reproduction throughout the world. Therefore, they have begun a library of “How to…” webinars (<a href="https://iser.vetpd.com/">https://iser.vetpd.com/</a>). On their website they state,</p>
<h5><em>“Our goal is to provide a comprehensive catalogue of “How to…” webinars aimed at enhancing core knowledge and clinical skill development on all aspects of Equine Reproduction. All webinars are easily accessible on multiple platforms, including mobile devices, at prices based on a tiered cost of living index. The speakers are world-renowned experts in their respective fields of equine reproduction, encompassing the Mare, Stallion, Foal and Assisted Reproductive Techniques. All webinars have been reviewed by Professors Angus O. McKinnon, Rana Bozorgmanesh, Pat McCue, Ed L. Squires and Tom A.E. Stout.”</em></h5>
<p>Numerous members of our SBS Affiliate Network have contributed webinars to the series. Upon completion, the library will contain nearly 300 webinars ranging in length from 15 to 60 minutes on topics related to equine reproduction.</p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6832023-05-23T00:33:28Z2023-06-26T17:02:00ZDr. Phil Matthews of PetersonSmith Retires<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="../../system/attachments/4655/original/Phil_Matthews_-_SBS_Annual_Meeting_2005_in_Florida_-_cropped.jpg?1684801806" alt="Phil Matthews Retirement" width="300" height="316" /> After more than 40 years of practice, Dr. Phil Matthews of PetersonSmith Equine Hospital & Complete Care has put away his ultrasound and microscope. He retired at the end of 2022 so he can do more traveling as well as focus on his own Thoroughbreds and the Angus cattle he raises on his ranch. </p>
<p>He has been a part of PetersonSmith from the very beginning. In 1981, two veterinarians Dr. John Peterson and Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, decided to form a partnership. On the same day they signed their agreement they also signed an employee agreement with Dr. Matthews. When he was hired, he did whatever was needed from routine vaccinations, ambulatory work, lameness exams, etc. Soon, he found that his true passion was for the reproduction side of the practice. Throughout his career, he would end up working with thousands of stallions, mares, babies and yearlings. He was always helping the breeding dreams of his clients come true whether it was a purse winning Thoroughbred or a small breeder’s hope to have a foal from their favorite mare. </p>
<p>In 1999, PetersonSmith opened their very own reproductive facility called the <a href="../../labs/9-pserc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PetersonSmith Advanced Fertility Center</a>. Though it was originally staffed with only Dr. Matthews, they now have four full-time veterinarians and many technicians to assist as needed in the daily activities. One year after the opening of the reproductive center, Dr. Matthews signed an agreement to become the first member of the Select Breeders Services Affiliate Network. Paul Loomis said,</p>
<h5>“I have had the honor of knowing Phil Matthews for more than 40 years since our time together at Colorado State University when Phil was a vet student, and I was in graduate school. When the concept of a network of affiliated laboratories to foster the development of the equine frozen semen industry was created, Phil was the first person I contacted. Over the years of our friendship, I have benefitted from his advice, generosity, and direct and insightful counsel and for that I am forever grateful. Enjoy your retirement my friend, you damn sure earned it.!”</h5>
<p>Today, PetersonSmith has 30 veterinarians on staff to carry on the legacy that began with Dr. Peterson and Dr. Smith as well as that of Dr. Matthews and the three other veterinarians retiring alongside him in 2022. We are so thankful for the many years Dr. Matthews offered his wealth of knowledge and experience to the SBS Affiliate Group. We wish him all the best as he slows down, takes deeper breaths and enjoys more time with his family, friends and animals.</p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6822023-01-20T15:25:37Z2023-03-22T13:18:20ZCongenital Hypothyroidism<p><img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4590/original/Mare_Foaling_%281%29_-_400x.jpg?1674228363" alt="Foaling Mare_400x" width="301" height="200" /> <strong>Congenital Hypothyroidism is a disease syndrome or process that is native to the Northwest Region of the United States. </strong> Dr. Jed McKinlay of McKinlay & Peters Equine Hospital in Colbert, WA wishes for us to share their firsthand knowledge about this issue because there is little documentation to be found. Though it has been observed in the field, it has never been repeated in clinical research. However, a number of risk factors have been identified; dos and don’ts to evade this problem. (Warning! An image in this article may be disturbing to some readers.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h4><strong>Risk Factors</strong></h4>
<p>The perfect storm occurs when one or more of the following risk factors occur in the same location.</p>
<ul>
<li>Low iodine in the feed or soil where hay is grown.</li>
<li>Lack of mineral supplementation.</li>
<li>Supplements with low or deficient iodine.</li>
<li>Mares that are exposed to nitrates during gestation (which can block iodine capture). Nitrates can come from green oat hay, dugout water, well water, agricultural runoff, heavily fertilized fields, high nitrate feeds, and certain pasture weeds (pig weed for example).</li>
<li>Mares exposed to goitrogens in mustard family plants including cultivated varieties (canola, rape and mustard seed plants or seeds can be in pastures, hays or seed can be found contaminating grain products) and weeds (ball mustard, blue mustard, jimmy hill mustard, shepherd's purse; a huge list here).</li>
<li>Mares exposed to ergot in grain or forage (these toxins affect fetal thyroid function particularly), and may also slow fetal growth.</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Clinical Signs</strong></h4>
<p><img style="float: right;" src="../../system/attachments/4591/original/Congenital_Hypothyroidism_%282%29_-_cropped.jpg?1674237838" alt="Congenital Hypothyroidism_400x" width="256" height="255" /> The clinical signs we see with this disease are long gestational lengths. Some foals are born looking pre-mature even in the face of the long gestation. They may have contracted tendons, long lower jaws, undeveloped or underdeveloped cuboidal bones in the knees and hocks tending to angular limb deformities. The foals want to drink and live but many are unable to stand and nurse properly. Many foals are immediately hypothermic (they get very cold and can’t warm themselves up) when born.</p>
<h4><strong>How to Avoid This Disease</strong></h4>
<p>The best insurance against this disease is to avoid as many of the abovementioned risk factors as possible. Also, make sure there is adequate bioavailable iodine and other trace minerals including selenium, zinc and copper. It is best to avoid weeds in hay or pasture as much as possible. The toxins may be particularly high in weeds and plants during the early (springtime) stages of growth.</p>
<p>We hope the above information helps mare owners avoid this heartbreaking moment when their foals are born. By providing this information to everyone, the hope of the veterinarians at McKinlay & Peters Equine Hospital is that no one will have to see another case of it again. </p>Dr. Jed McKinlaytag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6812022-12-20T21:11:12Z2023-01-25T17:18:50ZDr. Glenn Blodgett - A Legend In Our Hearts<p><img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4571/original/Dr._Glenn_Blodgett_6666_Horse_Div._Mang._%282%29_cropped.jpg?1671569979" alt="Dr. Blodgett - Palpating" width="285" height="213" /> On November 20<sup>th</sup>, 2022 our SBS family was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Glenn Blodgett. He began working as the resident veterinarian and manager of the Four Sixes Ranch horse division in 1982. Our relationship with Dr. Blodgett and the 6666 Ranch began 20 years later when Doc asked us to provide semen freezing services for 6666 Ranch managed stallions. In 2008, the 6666’s Ranch became an Affiliate Laboratory of SBS. Dr. Blodgett would have turned 74 years old on December 21<sup>st</sup>. Therefore, we wish to pay honor to him on this special day by sharing our thoughts about this very special man. </p>
<p>Dr. Blodgett, “Doc”, was a giant among the veterinary community and within the horse world his accomplishments and contributions are vast and well recognized. More importantly, Glenn was one of the most genuine, caring and thoughtful people I have ever had the honor to know. He was a man of few words but when he spoke you knew his deliberate comments were well thought out and important. He was a man of integrity and honesty and a true giant among men. <em>~ Paul Loomis</em></p>
<p>There are certain things about Glenn Blodgett we will never forget; the cowboy hat that he always wore, slightly crooked, and his zest for knowledge. He was one of the first veterinarians to join the SBS affiliate lab network. <img style="float: right;" src="../../system/attachments/547/original/Dr.Blodgett_M.JPG?1325085647" alt="Dr.Blodgett" width="238" height="233" /> This was driven by his desire to do the best job of freezing and distributing semen for the stallions he managed. We looked forward to seeing him at our annual SBS meeting. He was a good sport and was in attendance at all the meetings no matter where in the world they were held. Hard to forget his walking down the cobble streets of North Germany with his cowboy boots and crooked hat. We will miss this giant greatly. <em>~ Dr. Ed Squires</em></p>
<p>Dr. Blodgett was a valued mentor to many thriving veterinarians across the globe arising from his “coaching tree.” He would make time in a schedule that did not exist to be kindly attentive to others. After that patented grin and exaggerated pause came pearls of wisdom worthy of application to most any situation. Our profession will miss him tremendously. To the Select Breeders Affiliate Lab Network, his skilled production, successful distribution and use of frozen semen to manage popular stallions has led to the debunking of common myths and much wider acceptance of its use in the Quarter Horse industry. For this we are forever in his debt. <em>~ Dr. Brian Carroll</em></p>
<p>Before the 6666 Ranch became a member of the SBS Affiliate Network, I had the honor and privilege of spending 3 - 4 weeks each winter at the 666 Ranch freezing semen from their stallions. Those many years, Doc and I worked closely to export semen from their stallions throughout the world. He was always eager to help others achieve their breeding goals and introduce Quarter Horse genetics to other countries with developing Quarter Horse industries. He was always thinking outside of the box and wanting to improve on things most would have said didn’t need improving. He had a vision of the future and was consistently moving towards it. He was one of the kindest, most gentle hearted, intelligent men I ever met. I know that I am a better person for having met and spent time in the life of Dr. Blodgett. <em>~ Erin Bishop <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="../../system/attachments/4573/original/Blodgett_in_Germany_-_2008_cropped.jpg?1671571044" alt="Annual Meeting 2008 - Cropped" width="664" height="414" /> </em></p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6802022-12-16T13:59:30Z2023-01-25T17:20:13ZFeatured Breeder: Marne Martin-Tucker<p><img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4569/original/Galaxy_Coeur_-_profile_450x.jpg?1671197563" alt="Galaxy Coeur - profile 450x" width="300" height="200" /> Like most people, Marne Martin-Tucker began her love of horses when she was a little girl. She grew up in a family that bred horses as well as other types of animals. But it wasn’t until she moved to Europe that she began to ride dressage horses more exclusively. She said, <em>“It was fantastic to have such deep mare families in Europe to purchase mares from in order to begin my own breeding program. Lots of nice stallions are always available for frozen or cooled semen breeding but the quality of the mare is the key.”</em></p>
<p>Marne has worked for many years, producing 1 or 2 foals each year, to create the best dressage horse breeding program that she can. When asked what the goal of her program is, she said, <em>“Horses with super character, top class rideability, competition nerves and the talent for FEI. Ideally, Grand Prix.”</em> In her program she prioritizes the utilization of embryo transfer but will also use broodmares she has ridden and trained. She said, <em>"It’s important to me that mares do training, competitions and performance testing before breeding.”</em></p>
<p>This is how her mare Royal Coeur (Royal Hit x Riva) came on the scene. In 2017, Marne took Royal Coeur to SBS Veterinary Services (SBS-VS) in Maryland for breeding with frozen semen and embryo transfer in the hope of producing a special foal. An embryo was flushed, then transferred into a recipient mare which is when the waiting began. The following breeding season she took the recipient mare back to SBS-VS where she gave birth to a handsome colt, fondly known as Galaxy Coeur (pictured above and below) . She registered him as an Oldenburg and when he was old enough Marne decided to have his semen frozen by Select Breeders Services in Maryland.</p>
<p><img style="float: right;" src="../../system/attachments/4570/original/Galaxy_Coeur_-_riding_450x.jpg?1671197572" alt="Galaxy Coeur - riding 450x" width="300" height="223" /> Fast forward to the Fall of 2022 where the NA Stallion Test was hosted at Hilltop Farm, Inc. in Maryland. This testing is supervised by the American Hanoverian Society (AHS), the Hanoverian Verband (HV) and the German Oldenburg Verband (GOV). It is open to 4- to 7-year-old stallions registered with the AHS, GOV and other registries. The test provides an opportunity for owners of North American Stallions to have them earn lifetime breeding approval for their specific registries. In the field of 10 stallions, Galaxy Coeur won with an 8.8. This is the second highest score ever given during the test. Of the win, Marne said, <em>“As a breeder I have achieved the goal of being one with the highest percentage of premium mares and FEI competing offspring among US breeders. Now, I have bred and raised a stallion test winner who is also having great competition results!”</em></p>
<p><a href="../../labs/2-sbs-md" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Select Breeders Services</a> and <a href="../../labs/22-sbs-vs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SBS Veterinary Services</a> have come alongside Martin-Tucker in her quest to be a breeder of quality dressage horses. When asked why she chose SBS she said,</p>
<h5>“SBS has been a great partner for breeding, embryo transfer, stallion collecting, etc. They provide decades of experience and good value for the money. Also, they create excellent quality frozen semen and my stallion has very high fertility. We believe frozen semen is super convenient to use.” </h5>
<p>Whether breeding, flushing embryos, foaling out, storing and/or processing frozen semen, we are thankful to be a part of her team. We wish Marne continued success with her program and we can’t wait to see what the offspring of Galaxy Coeur accomplishes in the future.</p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6792022-11-21T01:31:19Z2022-12-21T12:02:22Z20th Gathering of the SBS Affiliate Laboratories<p><strong> <img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4555/original/SBS_Annual_Meeting_Group_photo_November_2022_-_cropped.jpg?1668993582" alt="SBS Annual Meeting 2022 (1)" width="300" height="196" /> The 20<sup>th</sup> gathering of the <a href="../../labs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SBS Affiliated Laboratories</a> returned to Chesapeake City, Maryland on November 7<sup>th</sup> & 8<sup>th</sup>. </strong>Each year we meet to review procedures and policies, share information and experiences, discuss recent developments in the industry and set plans for the future. Our affiliate network is ever expanding as we add more affiliate members to our group. In the past few years we have welcomed two new affiliates in the state of Oregon. They are Dr. Ryan Ferris of <a href="../../labs/42-se" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Summit Equine</strong></a> and Dr. Thomas Timmons of <a href="../../labs/43" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rogue Equine Hospital</strong></a>.</p>
<p>This year, three guest speakers were invited to join our meeting to discuss various scientific topics related to equine reproduction. The passion each of them has for their niche in the industry is infectious which led to many great questions and discussions after each presentation. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Dr. Leo Brito, DVM, PhD </strong>is a Theriogenologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as the Director of the Hofmann Center for Animal Reproduction located near the main New Bolton Center campus in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He offered the group his expertise on the topic of <em>“Quality Control and Assurance for Semen Production Laboratories”. </em>Dr. Brito had previously led the development and implementation of such systems for a large commercial bull stud and an international network of bovine semen sexing laboratories. He also led a collaborative research study between SBS and The University of Pennsylvania investigating the efficacy of antibiotics in equine frozen semen extenders. The study demonstrated that the combination of antibiotics used by SBS and its affiliates in freezing equine semen were effective in controlling bacterial growth and did not negatively impact sperm quality. This was an important and timely finding since the European Union recently altered their requirements to specify which antibiotics can be utilized in extenders for freezing equine semen intended for import into the European Union. </li>
<li><strong>Dr. Camilo Hernandez-Aviles, DVM, PhD </strong>is a member of the Section of Theriogenology in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University. He spent several years under the direction of Drs. Varner, Love and Terje Raudsepp during his doctoral program. His research interests are related to stallion fertility with an emphasis in stallion sperm physiology and cryobiology, and the improvement of techniques for stallion sperm analysis and storage. He gave two presentations about the <em>“Evaluation of Frozen/Thawed Stallion Sperm: Concepts Beyond Sperm Motility”</em> and <em>“Stallion Sperm Freezing Factors Associated with Post-Thaw Quality and It’s Use for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in the Mare”</em>.</li>
<li><strong>Dr. Katrin Hinrichs, DVM, PhD, DACT</strong> is a Diplomat of the American College of Theriogenologists, Professor of Reproduction and Equine Medicine, Chair of the Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and leads the Penn Equine Assisted Reproduction Laboratory (PEARL). PEARL performs both basic research and clinic work in equine assisted reproduction. While at Texas A&M University prior to coming to Penn, Dr Hinrichs was a pioneer in development of the techniques for oocyte aspiration and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) currently used widely in the equine industry. We were very fortunate to have Dr. Hinrichs take time from her busy schedule to present her groundbreaking research in equine <em>in vitro</em> fertilization (IVF). Her group is the first to develop a reliable, efficient, and repeatable system to achieve live foals from true in vitro fertilization in the horse. She shared with us how they achieved this remarkable success and their plans to continue to improve the process.</li>
</ul>
<p><img style="float: right;" src="../../system/attachments/4556/original/SBS_Annual_Meeting_Group_photo_November_2022_%282%29_1000x.jpg?1668993916" alt="SBS Annual Meeting 2022 (2)" width="319" height="239" /> Also, during our meeting Dr. Ed Squires and Paul Loomis gave us an overview of numerous recent research papers on stallion reproduction published in scientific journals. Dr. Scofield led the group in a lively discussion on best practices about how each affiliate member handles different aspects of the services we offer. This included many topics ranging from frozen semen storage and distribution practices to what paperwork is required for incoming horses, health testing requirements, methods of AR management, billing practices, and elements of breeding soundness exams for stallions. </p>
<p>We are thankful to Booth Farwell and Amanda Compton of Merck Animal Health for sponsoring our evening dinner at the Chesapeake Inn where we enjoyed delicious appetizers, wonderful seafood, and great conversation. Once again it was a successful event! After a short hiatus, it was nice to all be back together to meet both new and old friends. More importantly, we continue to reaffirm the dedication we all share to being an integral part of improving the equine breeding industry and ushering it toward the future. </p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6772022-09-20T14:49:50Z2023-09-17T23:56:41Z2022 SBS Foal Photo Contest Winner<p><strong> <img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4513/original/_2022_Foal_Karizma_Kjento_x_Romantica_II__200x.jpg?1661268040" alt="2022_Foal_Karizma_Kjento x Romantica II 200x" width="178" height="268" /> Congratulations to Heather DeGarmo of Florida who has won a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate for her photo of Karizma by the stallion <a href="../../stallions/4788-kjento" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kjento</a> out of the mare Romantica II.</strong></p>
<p>We had a lot of great entries this year which made the judging all that more challenging. Notable mentions for this year’s contest include the runners up, <strong>Maybe Forever</strong> by <a href="../../stallions/3838-cadlanvalley-manhatten" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CadlanValley Manhatten</a> and <strong>Farello</strong> by Farrell.</p>
<p>Click <a href="../../s/foals_2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to view photos of the other foals produced by SBS at one of our <a href="../../labs">SBS affiliate laboratories</a>. The contest may be over for this year but we would love to post your foal photos to our website. Please send them via email to <a href="mailto:erinbishop@SelectBreeders.com">erinbishop@SelectBreeders.com</a>.</p>
<p>Remember, have your cameras out next year to snap that winning photo for our 2023 SBS Foal Photo Contest!</p>SBStag:www.selectbreeders.com,2005:Article/6762022-06-21T17:08:38Z2022-08-11T12:30:30ZFoal Born 32 Years After Frozen Semen was Processed<p><img style="float: left;" src="../../system/attachments/4460/original/Recruut_Foal_Photo_%283%29.jpeg?1655831035" alt="Recruut Photo_June 2022" width="300" height="301" /> Kanoe Godby has a vision to breed Gelders horses with a purpose. One that is a willing partner, possessing a kind and calm temperament, and able to compete in many disciplines, with talent for a professional. Gelders horses are the foundation breed of the modern Dutch warmblood sport horse and officially considered a rare equine breed. Kanoe said, “I feel very strongly that preserving the old, foundation blood of the Dutch Gelders horses is an important endeavor, to compensate for the everlasting aim at more modern. Gelders horses will bring traits like width, strength, bone, and substance. As well as a good, calm, amateur friendly temperament.”</p>
<p>Kanoe believed the Dutch stallion Recruut (photo below) would be a great match for her Gelders mare, Adessa Keur Preferent (Koss x Ahoy). As a 3-year-old she became the first Gelders mare at a KWPN Keuring in North America to become Champion and she placed higher than other dressage horses that were shown. Kanoe said, “She is a proven producer of top offspring that are very Gelders in type.”</p>
<p>Recruut was born in 1975 and is a son of the famous Marco Polo who was out of a mostly Gelders dam with some Selle Francais bloodlines. Recruut did very well at his performance test in 1978 where he scored a 10 for free jumping, a 9.5 for jumping under saddle and a 10 for his temperament. His offspring also performed well with especially good comments on the quality of their legs and their good type. During his career, Recruut competed successfully at international Grand Prix jumping with his Swiss rider, Paul Weier.</p>
<p><img style="float: right;" src="../../system/attachments/4463/original/Recruut_and_Embyro_Photo_Group_-_June_2022.png?1655831497" alt="Recruut and Embryo Photo Group" width="201" height="296" /> With her goal in mind, Kanoe was able to locate a dose of frozen semen from Recruut that had been processed in 1990. She utilized the expertise of Dr. Ryan Ferris from Summit Equine (an SBS Affiliate Member) in Oregon to thaw the straw of frozen semen, breed Adessa and then perform an embryo flush on the mare. To their excitement they retrieved two viable embryos (one pictured bottom right)! The embryos were shipped to a different facility, transferred into two recipient mares and then the real waiting began. Although one of the mares wasn’t able to carry her embryo to term, Kanoe was blessed with a beautiful Recruut filly (photo top left) in May 2022 from frozen semen that was processed 32 years earlier. </p>
<p>Kanoe said about her new Recruut filly, “I think I reached my goal with this filly: to always be able to breed back the Gelders core foundation traits. She will be a real Gelders type mare with a wide chest for big lungs, and large, strong feet. She possesses the athleticism, and a tractable nature, that the modern sport horse was built from.”</p>
<p>We wish Kanoe great success in her breeding program with this little filly helping her to achieve her dreams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Photo Credit:</strong></p>
<p><em>Recruut Filly photo provided by Kanoe Godby</em></p>
<p><em>Recruut photo from sporthorse-data.com</em></p>
<p><em>Embryo photo provided by <a href="../../labs/42-se" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Summit Equine</a></em></p>SBS