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Education Programme 2025
Here at ITBA we encourage breeders to develop a culture of continuous learning for the betterment of themselves and members of their stud farm team or breeding operations. This years Education Programme was designed to support and advocate quality thoroughbred horse production, whilst educating both established and emerging breeders.
Recordings are freely available for paid ITBA members as part of the Members Benefits, please email Hannah at hmarks@itba.ie for access. Recordings are also available to purchase by non-members at €10 per recording.
ITBA Breeding Preparation Seminar
ITBA kicked off the 2025 Education Programme with the popular Breeding Preparation Seminar, covering all things foaling and helping breeders prepare for the upcoming season. Over 120 were in attendance for the event hosted by Irish National Stud’s Cathal Beale with panel of Bena Hickey (Anglesely Lodge Equine Hospital), Des Leadon (Swordlestown Little, Irish Equine Centre), Olive O’Connor (Olive O’Connor Bloodstock) and Micheál Orlandi (Compas Equine).
Des Leadon commenced the seminar giving an update on the current matter of the new EU Commission proposals for animal welfare in transport, as well as the status of the EVA vaccines and protocols for the upcoming season.
Following the batch failure of EVA vaccine Artervac in 2023, extensive lobbying has been done by ITBA, EFTBA and Veterinary Advisor Des Leadon to allow the import of the live vaccine Arvac for 2025. A special licence has been approved and the Department of Agriculture will be holding a review meeting later this season to try smooth the process for the 2026 breeding season. The key takeaway is to comply with the International Codes of Practice and check with each individual stallion farm for their requirements.
Getting ready for foaling: Olive O’Connor took the audience through a whistlestop tour of how to get your mare ready for foaling. She advised of getting your mare in early and relaxed in her new environment. This allows you to start observing her and get to know her behaviours. It is important to have your worming and vaccinations up to date, and make sure you have a clean environment and stable. Other points include have your foaling kit ready, check your mare every 15 minutes and making sure to record the time water breaks. This can be especially important should you need veterinary intervention. Following the birth you want to observe the mare and foal for signs of healthy and unhealthy behaviour. The most important thing – don’t panic!
Getting your mare back in foal: Following the foaling, Bena Hickey went through the steps of how to get your mare back in foal. She advised getting the history of the foaling (hard foaling, retained placenta, etc), and making sure you have a clean endometrial swab. If you check at the foal heat and everything is normal and healthy, there should be no problem covering especially for a younger mare. If you don’t cover at the foal heat it is important to stitch the mare to maintain a clean uterine environment. Bena also commented that teasing is one of the best ways to promote uterine health post foaling.
Considering your matings: Now that the mare is ready to be covered Micheál Orlandi took attendees through the basic steps of what to consider when planning your matings. The simplest question to ask is what is your budget? He advised to try to use a proven stallion if you can, and buy a maiden mare or filly with an active pedigree. You will be married to the mare for the next several years and want to give her the best possible start to become your blue hen. Micheál emphasised the fact of not breeding or buying a mare if she’s not worth it. He advised of taking a long term approach and watching what successful breeders are doing.
A recording of the event will be available for members. Email Hannah at hmarks@itba.ie to request.
ITBA Ask The Expert Series
The popular ITBA Ask The Expert Series is back for 2025 and will kick off on Wednesday 19th March and run with online sessions across March and April. We look forward to welcoming industry experts to present to our members on a wide range of topics including Efficient Farming, Workplace Resilience, recent updates to HR and employment legislation, and the importance of gut microbials for mares and foals.
Ask The Expert Series Schedule
Wednesday 19th March: Efficient Farming
Wednesday 26th March: Workplace Resilience
Thursday 3rd April: Auto-enrolment information webinar
Wednesday 9th April: Gut Microbials for Mares and Foals
The first episode will be given by Alan Creighton of the Irish Equine Centre on Efficient Farming. The episode will focus on understanding your soil, composing and learning where you can save money on fertilizer. ITBA Members can also avail of a discounted Soil Analysis with the Irish Equine Centre, which Alan will be able to talk through. The online episode will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 19th March.
The second episode will be held in collaboration with equuip on the topic of Workplace Resilience. Sports Psychologist, Dr Ciara Losty will highlight how you can help someone who might be struggling, the resources that are available, tools you can use to manage on a day to day basis and the importance of research. There will be a brief introduction to the current research being conducted by PhD Student Claire McDonald with stud farm staff. The episode will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 26th March.
The third episode will be an auto-enrolment information webinar with the Department of Social Protection. This will give members an update on changes to HR and employment legislation for 2025, with a focus on pension auto-enrolment. Auto-enrolment is a new retirement savings system for employees that will be introduced in 2025. The episode will be held at 4pm on Thursday 3rd April. Register online here via EventBrite.
The fourth episode will be hosted by Tommy Heffernan of interChem. This will focus on the importance of gut microbials for mares and foals. The seminar will discuss the importance of the microbiome in the sense of the pregnant mare and newborn foals or also for horses in transition/stressful periods of their lives (eg foaling, travelling for cover, weaning). The episode will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 9th April.
Each seminar will be recorded for ITBA Members to watch back. Attendance is free, but registration is essential. Please email Hannah at hmarks@itba.ie
Yearling Sales Preparation Seminar
ITBA was delighted to host the Yearling Sales Preparation Workshop both in-person and online, where we welcomed over 70 people for the morning seminars. The Yearling Sales Preparation Workshop is a key fixture in the ITBA’s Education Programme, and this year included an afternoon farm visit to Baroda Stud where attendees got a first look at yearling conformation, overall analysis and showing tips.
A panel of industry experts addressed a number of topics around sales preparation for the morning session. Edie Murray-Hayden opened the workshop discussing preparation programmes and how to prepare yearlings for the sales. Mark MacRedmond of Anglesey Lodge spoke about veterinary matters to take into consideration when selling and included pre-sales inspection, wind tests, endoscopes and x-rays. Senior Equine Nutritionist with Connolly's RED MILLS, Lorraine Fradl spoke about feeding yearlings during sales preparation to maintain condition, topline and soundness. Andrew Mahon of Farriery Ireland talked about corrective farriery and shoeing for the sales.
‘Feedback’
ITBA welcome suggestions for their Education Programmes. You can email suggestions to hmarks@itba.ie or through the contact form below.