KZN’s TBA Breeders Education Seminar

The Breeders Education Seminar organised by the TBA took place at Gowrie Village on 29 July, where Prof Martin Schulman, Dr Kate May and Dr Emma Alsop presented a fascinating course on Veneral Diseases and endometritis in the mare, Contagious Equine Metritis and Foal Care. The Equine Health Fund represented by Nora Freeman provided sponsorship towards making the day happen and the great success it was.

Prof Martin Schulman spoke about the Venereal Diseases such as Dourine and EVA, their symptoms, transference and touched lightly on CEM, which Dr Kate May concentrated in depth on – she has been studying Contagious Equine Metritis extensively overseas and we are fortunate to have a vet in South Africa with her enormous knowledge and discoveries on the subject.

CEM is a disease which tends to be carried in the Lippazaner breed, and has been found present in imported Warmblood frozen semen for AI use, which is largely the reason this disease has not taken hold (and thankfully) and affected the Thoroughbred breeding operations in South Africa due to the strict rules in place for breeding racehorses.

Dr Emma Alsop discussed foal care and hygiene in depth, as well as foal sepsis and the Dummy foal. Dr Alsop discussed the remarkable method of the Madigan Squeeze for Dummy foals, which had the breeders present riveted and rushing home to google the rope methods shortly after! Similarities between Dummy foals and Autism in children has been established and currently being researched.

The KZN Breeders present thoroughly enjoyed the day organised by Peter Gibson with very positive feedback given. A big thank you to the TBA, Peter Gibson, Nora Freeman of Equine Health Fund, sponsors Choice Carriers, Epol Feeds, Equine Insurance and Kuda Insurance for making the day happen.

Another thank you to speakers Prof Martin Schulman, Dr Kate May and Dr Emma Alsop for visiting us and providing an informative seminar and we look forward to the next one ahead!