For many years, Select Breeders Services (SBS) has collaborated with horse and donkey owners to preserve breeds classified by The Livestock Conservancy as critical, threatened, recovering, or on the watch list for extinction. Saving these breeds is crucial, as The Livestock Conservancy notes they “represent an irreplaceable piece of earth’s biodiversity and offer incredible variety that may be needed for future farms." What do these classifications by The Livestock Conservancy mean?

Congratulations to Emily Allen who has won a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate for the photo Ed Amber took of her foal, Ulberto SMF (Kjento x Quinnessential).  We had many wonderful entries this year, the most ever in the SBS Foal Photo Contest!  Notable mentions for this year’s contest include the runners up of FS Frosted Rodeo Gal by MM Frosted Ta Fame and Ubette by Louisville HTF.

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 (Boon Too Suen x Pokies Princess Lee).

Congratulations to Heather DeGarmo of Florida who has won a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate for her photo of Karizma by the stallion Kjento out of the mare Romantica II.

The best thing you can do for the health of your horse is to have a good working relationship with their veterinarian that includes good, honest communication.  Whether it be scheduling appointments, discussing a treatment plan, emergency visits, or routine updates, good communication is imperative to maintaining a healthy relationship with your veterinarian and veterinary care team.  But what happens if that communication breaks down?

Congratulations to Becca R Wolf of Boise, ID who has won a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate for her photo of Irish Goodbye by the stallion I Am The Party out of the mare When Girls Are Good. 

Congratulations to Hilltop Farm! They have won a $75.00 Amazon.com gift certificate for their photo of Radnor HTF by the stallion Rubinero out of the mare Allegra Q.

The 2024 SBS Foal Photo Contest is now open for entries! Don't miss your chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. The following foal photos are eligible for entry.

Prairie Hen Farm, LLC in Gladwyne, PA has won a $75.00 Dover Saddlery gift certificate for the photo they submitted of Our Promise by the stallion The Proposal out of the mare Tsarin.

Congratulations to our 2018 Foal Photo Contest Winner! Laura Engles-Horton of Blairstown, NJ has won a $75.00 Dover Saddlery gift certificate for the photo she submitted of Bringing Me Sunshine by the stallion Peace and War out of the mare Sheza Puddins Gal.

As we enter the final foaling months of the year, it is the perfect time to turn our attention towards preparation for Inspection Season. For Sporthorse breeders across the United States, mare, foal and stallion inspections serve as pivotal moments for the horses within their breeding programs. Here are a few thoughts on properly planning out your Inspection Day.

Preparing Quarter Horses for sale is something many horse owners will be involved in at some point, whether they are directly involved in the preparation process or are a potential buyer. It is a broad topic, as Quarter Horses are commonly sold at all life stages and as part of many different disciplines. This article will focus on how to best prepare, or “fit” horses being sold in an auction setting and the common threads across many of the disciplines Quarter Horses are involved in.

Every day, both the human and veterinary medical fields are striving to work towards practicing the most innovative forms of care. These alternative therapies range from cold laser and magna wave to massage therapy and chiropractics. Currently, a strongly emerging field in the equine veterinary industry is the practice of chiropractics. It acts to improve the overall health of the horse by restoring the spinal column’s normal movement and alignment. The thought is that when something is affected higher up in the vertebral column, it can present as lower limb lameness or gait abnormality.

Horse owners have many options when it comes to bedding in the stalls of their horses. When choosing a bedding one may consider cost, what is readily available in a particular area, whether the bedding will greatly increase the dust particles in the environment, etc. For example, some may choose straw because it is more readily available in their area whereas others may choose wood shavings because they absorb more moisture. Hemp bedding is a new product on the market which may address many of the things a horse owner considers when choosing the right bedding.

Since its inception, SBS has been at the forefront of research within the Equine Breeding Industry.  Each year SBS and its affiliate members participate in research studies to help advance the science of equine reproduction so that breeders can realize the full benefits of technology. To present research at these meetings our team members must submit their research projects and findings to specific committees in the hope they will be invited to present their data. Before 2016 comes to an end several SBS Affiliate Members spoke at meetings throughout the world.

Congratulations to our 2017 Foal Photo Contest Winner! Echo Hill Farm of Tryon, NC has won a $75.00 Dover Saddlery gift certificate for the photo they submitted of their Filly by the stallion Dressage Royal out of the mare Benidetta III. She is kicking up her heels to celebrate!

In August, the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will commence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This year’s equestrian events will take place from August 6th – 19th. Horse and rider events were first introduced in the Olympics in 1900. The events 116 years ago (polo, grand prix jumping, the high jump and the long jump) were not the same events we are familiar with today. After their initial appearance, horses took a hiatus from Olympic competition until 1912 when they were reintroduced to compete in dressage, show jumping and eventing. These three events have taken place at every Olympic Games since 1912 and are the ones we are familiar with today.

In our previous article, Safe Fencing Options for Horses, the components of a safe and effective electric fence were described. The setup of your electric fence is important and will determine how safe and effective your fence will be. In this article are the key steps to ensure a functional and safe electric fence barrier that your horses will respect!

The movie “The Man from Snowy River” was released nearly 35 years ago and set in Australia. Those who have seen the film probably recall the infamous scene where Jim Craig rode his horse down the side of a cliff at a full gallop while chasing a herd of Brumbies (Australian Wild Horses). The movie gave birth to The Man from Snowy River Challenge which has taken place for over 20 years in the small country town of Corryong in Australia. The town is located in the far north-eastern corner of Victoria and is famed for its picturesque scenery. It’s unspoiled natural attractions include rivers, snowy mountains and forests which are perfect backdrops for the annual Man From Snowy River Bush Festival.

Congratulations to our 2015 Foal Photo Contest Winner! Dawn Spencer of Kalamazoo, MI has won a $75.00 Dover Saddlery gift certificate for the photo she submitted of her colt (Sternlicht GGF x Fireworks). Friends come in all shapes and sizes.

When you think of full siblings in the equine world you typically think of two foals produced by a mare in a different breeding season yet that may not always be the case. Allowing a mare to carry twins is not ideal due to the low survival rate of the foals and the potential risk to the mare. Embryo transfer (ET) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have become popular procedures in recent years which allow a mare to produce multiple foals from a single breeding season. In this article we have three fascinating stories from breeders in which two embryos from the same cycle became a driving pair, unexpected twin foals were welcomed into the world, and an injured mare produced four embryos via ICSI.

Modern fencing goes far beyond the old wood rail fence or barbed wire varieties. A wide range of fencing products and systems, built to enhance the safety of the horses behind them as well as the aesthetic appeal of the properties on which they are installed, are now available. With all of these options, however, choosing a fence type that appeals to you can be overwhelming. Researching safety features, pricing, materials, and durability of each different product can leave even the most discerning consumer feeling confused. It may be useful to learn about some basic types of safe horse fencing and research further based on what you feel is a better fit for your property and budget.

Video has always been a great marketing tool, especially in the horse industry. Let’s face it, horse people like seeing horses, and what better way to do that than through video. However, one thing that has kept many horse businesses from using video in their marketing toolbox in the past was cost. But that has since changed. Effective, good-looking videos no longer require expensive cameras or huge production crews. Today, most quality cameras and even smart phones have the ability to shoot high-definition video that can be easily edited and uploaded online. With a little work and some planning, video can be a huge asset to any horse business.

When thinking of a “Sport Horse” one might think of large Warmblood horses flying over oxers, dancing across an arena or jumping into a water jump. The mere size of some of these horses (some over 17 hands high) can be daunting to smaller adults and younger riders. Smaller than their larger counterparts, the Sport Pony is bred to excel in all of the same events yet they are more suited for younger and smaller competitive riders. Typical sport pony breeds include the German Riding Pony, Connemara Pony, New Forest Pony, Welsh Pony and Fell Pony. Standing between 13.2 and 14.2 hands tall Sport Ponies are known for their tremendous ability, big movement, great temperament, and high level of ride ability. Although ponies were once considered mounts for children, many adults are experiencing the benefits of riding a Sport Pony and they are holding their own against the big boys in open competition. Below we further explore reasons to freeze pony semen and highlight a few Sport Pony breeds along with a few of our clients who are experiencing great success with their pony stallions.

And the winner is...Jezebel S.E. Congratulations to our 2014 Foal Photo Contest Winner, Siegi Belz-Fry, for winning a $75.00 Dover Saddlery gift certificate for the photo she submitted of her foal, Jezebel S.E. (Everdale x Showbiz). It's always nice when mom is there to scratch the itch you just can't reach.

If you own a stallion or gelding, one of your tasks as a responsible horse owner is cleaning of the “sheath”. The sheath being the fold or pocket of skin that encompasses the penis, it is also called the prepuce. The sheath is formed by a double layer of sliding skin, with the internal layer containing sebaceous glands that secrete lubricating oils. A waxy substance, called smegma, comprised of dirt and dead skin cells can accumulate in this area, and may also form a “bean”, a hardened ball of smegma located in the urethral diverticulum of the penis, a grove around the urethral opening. Smegma should be periodically removed as it may become a source of infection. Also the bean can grow to a significant size, potentially restricting the flow of urine. Sheath cleaning is messy, but essential job and it can also be a risky business if your stallion or gelding is not accustomed to it, so it is important to be appropriately prepared and have a full understanding of what’s involved.

There are many things to look forward to during the spring and summer months. The warm temperatures, longer hours of sunlight, and flourishing plant life. However, with these seasons comes a horrifying predator to both equine and humans; FLIES. Fly control may be something overlooked as well as overdone. It is important to consider several factors when deciding the correct form of fly control for your environment, circumstance, or herd.  This article discusses the lines of defense against flies and the types of flies which typically affect horses.  By understanding each of these factors, one will be able to better identify which product of fly control protects you and your horses the best.

Congratulations to Our 2013 Foal Photo Contest Winner! Darla d'Agay wins a Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate for $50 for her foal "Ilana" (Negro x Solana VS). This photo certainly has the cuteness factor – look at those whiskers!

Send Us Your SBS Frozen Semen Foal Photos. Pull out your cameras and start snapping! We'd like to see photos of your foals born in 2019 (2018 if born August – December in the Southern Hemisphere) from semen frozen by an SBS affiliate lab or resulting from embryo transfer performed at one of our SBS affiliate labs. The winner of the best foal photo will win a $75 Dover Saddlery gift certificate (or for Amazon.com for submissions from EU/AUS). Photos will be posted to our website and will be judged on composition by our SBS affiliate members. Click here to see the submission of foals from 2019.

In 1971, with the help students from across America, Ms. Velma Johnson’s efforts of protecting America’s horse became reality with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Ms. Johnson saw the American Mustang as an icon of the West and fought to protect them and land they roamed, creating a legacy that lives on today. This act declared the wild horses and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West”. Carrying out this task has led to the establishment of the Wild Horse and Burro Program, through which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages and protects these animals both on and off the range as well as working to maintain the rangeland that they call home.

Here we take an interesting look at the predominant sires of the 2012 Olympic horses for all three equestrian disciplines. To collect this data we compiled an Excel spreadsheet of the horses that placed at the Olympics either Top 10 in the team competition or Top 20 in the Individual final. The sire, dam and damsire information was obtained from the Olympic Preview issue of The Chronicle of the Horse or the FEI database. The sires whose names appeared the most formed the basis of this article. The notable sires of jumping horses were Nabab de Reve, Quick Star and Baloubet du Rouet, for dressage horses it was Donnerhall, Sandro Hit and Ferro and for eventing horses Master Imp, Cruising and Heraldik xx.

Congratulations to Our 2012 Foal Photo Contest Winner! Shera Rubin wins a Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate for $50 for her foal "Hailstorm" (Consul x Risky Pam). This photo certainly has the cuteness factor - Kisses!
Runners Up were Counting Cards and Splitting Memories

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 60 years on the throne earlier this month. As part of the many celebrations a spectacular Diamond Jubilee Pageant was presented May 10-13th at Windsor Castle. Over 550 horses and more than 1000 dancers, musicians, and performers from around the world came together to pay tribute to the Queen, who attended a special performance on May 13th. The theme of the pageant was a journey around the world, reflecting The Queen's State and Commonwealth visits during the course of Her Reign. Horses were key performers in the celebration and many of the Queen’s own horses joined the parade. Follow these links for photos and video of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Here is some additional information about the Queen’s favorite past-time and the strong connection she has to the horse.

Possibly the most versatile breed of horse, the Australian Stock Horse (ASH) is a fine working and performance animal renowned for its toughness, resilience and strength. Add to this agility and speed and you have a horse with a cosmopolitan blend of attributes ideally suited for work or play. Hence the slogan - The Breed for Every Need. The ancestry of the ASH dates to the arrival of the first horses in Australia; brought from Europe, Africa and Asia. Some of the original horse breeds in these early imports included the Thoroughbred, Cape of Good Hope Horse (largely descended from the Barb and Spanish horse), Arabian, Timor Pony and Welsh Mountain pony. In the 1830s, additional Thoroughbreds were imported into Australia to improve the local strains, and the mid-20th century saw infusions from the American Quarter Horse.

The 2012 Olympics in London is just around the corner. Athletes from countries all over the world will descend upon London to become a part of sporting history. The London 2012 Olympic Games will feature 26 sports, which break down into 39 different disciplines. Equestrianism has long been a part of the Olympics, ever since 1912, when it was held in Stockholm. Thus the London Olympics will celebrate 100 years of equestrian sports, a special event for the horse lover, since it is the only sport involving an animal and the only sport where men and women compete against each other on equal terms. A total of 41 nations have qualified for the equestrian events at the 2012 Olympics; 200 riders will be selected to compete for six gold medals. Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the USA will field full teams in all three disciplines. Get ready to watch tough and exciting Olympic competition starting July 27th 2012.