Colorado State University Veterinarians to Host Free Seminar for Horse Owners on Foaling and Foal Care

Dr. Patrick McCue, director of the Colorado State University Equine Reproduction Laboratory, will host "Saving Foals: A Horse Owner’s Guide to Foaling and Foal Care" from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, in Room 118/120 of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital,300 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins. Parking is free.

Ideal for all horse owners and breeding managers, this free, interactive seminar will provide up-to-date information on foaling prediction, the foaling process and foal care. The session also will detail how to recognize problems during foaling, when to call for professional assistance and how to perform emergency "on-farm" resuscitation in a neonatal foal.

Establishing communication with your regular veterinarian regarding foaling and how to be prepared for a foaling emergency will be key components of the seminar. A demonstration of how to use routine foaling supplies and diagnostic tests and what items to have in an emergency foaling kit will follow the lecture.

"The ultimate measure of success in equine reproduction is birth of a live, healthy foal," McCue said. "Our goal is to help participants reach this goal through education and communication."

The seminar is free and open to the public. Space is limited. All who are planning to attend should R.S.V.P. to Kathie.Sexton@Colostate.edu or call (970) 297-1269 by Friday, March 20.

This seminar is the first in a series on horse owner education that will be offered by CSU’s equine hospital section. The equine hospital at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital supports all equine athletes and companions by providing outstanding, comprehensive veterinary care; education for current and future veterinarians, horse owners and other equine professionals; and cutting-edge research to treat today’s equine concerns and lead to tomorrow’s cures.

McCue is the Iron Rose Ranch Professor of Equine Theriogenology in the Department of Clinical Sciences. He coordinates the clinical broodmare, foaling and embryo transfer services offered by CSU’s Equine Reproduction Laboratory. He also treats dystocias, high-risk pregnancies and other equine reproduction cases at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In addition, he writes a monthly column called "The Breeding Shed" for the American Quarter Horse Journal.

The Equine Reproduction Laboratory and Veterinary Teaching Hospital are part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

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