Production of Foals at UMass

Horses bred at UMass are Morgan purebreds of the Bay State line. The lineage of these Morgans goes back to the old Government line of cavalry remounts bred by the U.S. Army. When the cavalry was disbanded after W.W. II, the breeding stock was donated to Land Grant Colleges throughout the Northeast. For the last 15 years our main standing stallion has been Windcrest Highlander. For breeding purposes, semen is collected from our stallion and mares a bred by artificial insemination after careful monitoring by ultrasonographic examination. At least 2-4 foals are produced yearly.

Our breeding program has two purposes. First, it serves an educational need for Animal Science students interested in equine reproduction. Secondly, the breeding program perpetuates the Bay State line, bringing foals yearly into the equine program. If suited for schooling, our foals become replacements in our equine riding program. For such purpose, foals are handled and trained by our students as part of their requirements in the Equine Studies Program or as an elective for students with Equine Sciences interest. Foals that are not suited to become school horses are trained and sold publicly in a silent auction.

The Teaching Aspect of Equine Breeding Management

Breeding of our Morgan horses is incorporated as part of a Horse Breeding Laboratory held in the spring semester. In this hands-on class, students learn and perform all techniques related to breeding, including semen collection from stallions, semen handling, evaluation and preparation for cooled shipment, mare teasing and interpretation of ultrasound findings for appropriate breeding management, and assisted reproductive techniques such as freezing semen. Additionally, our students take turns to stay at the farm to monitor our pregnant mares for foaling management.

For more information, visit Veterinary and Animal Science

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