For someone like me who always loved learning, there’s something about the kaleidoscopic leaf displays and smell of the turning season that lights up warm memories.

The readiness of new school shoes, the potential of a fresh pencil case full of pens, and the excitement of unfamiliar topics to explore, it was a happy feeling.

Not true for everyone I know, but the good thing about getting older is that even if school wasn’t your thing, we can always choose to pick up on the learning experience again based on our passions rather than a dictated syllabus.

For anyone with an interest in breeding horses and a little time on their hands, Teagasc is offering two interesting short courses in Equine Breeding/Reproduction and Equine Herd Health.

The courses are aimed at those who are new to breeding, but are also perfect for those who may want to refresh or improve their knowledge. Both courses are a blend of online learning and some rather special ‘on farm workshops’.

Fundamentals of breeding

The Equine Breeding/Reproduction Course focuses on providing information to encourage informed decisions if you are thinking of embarking on a sport horse breeding enterprise.

The focus is also on educating new or inexperienced sport horse breeders in the basics of equine breeding, and reproduction husbandry.

The course covers some of the fundamentals of breeding through classes on reproductive anatomy and physiology, mating management, artificial breeding techniques and also subfertility.

The first three days of the course are delivered online through Zoom beginning 25 October and concluding with a day of practical learning on 26 January 2023.

These practical workshops in January are incredibly exciting and are to be held at two of Ireland’s most well-respected studs, Ballylinch Stud and Ennisnag Stud, both in Co. Kilkenny.

This is a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes with these world-famous breeding operations. The course fee is €200.

Care of mares and youngstock

The Equine Herd Health course is also in the blended learning format and is designed to create awareness of the importance of welfare, health and good planning for breeding.

This is a chance to learn or refresh your knowledge on the subjects of routine health, care of mares and young stock, developmental orthopaedic diseases and neonatal foal health.

The course is priced at €150 and both courses can be applied for at teagasc.ie. The Equine Herd Health course begins on 17 November via Zoom and the workshop for this course is at Kildalton College in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny on 20 January.

Whether you loved or hated school and whether you are just starting out on your breeding dreams or you have been at it for years, why not take the chance to learn more about breeding horses and to see first-hand some of the most exciting breeders in Ireland in action.

These courses are a fantastic way to spend some of the darker months. New school bag anyone?