Appaloosa News Monthly – March 2022

Equine Reproduction Course at Char-O-Lot Ranch

As I sit to start writing about this course, sponsored by Char-O-Lot Ranch, and provided by Equinereproduction.com, I am struggling to decide how to summarize what was basically a college level equine science course into a succinct article.

A few months ago, Sue Schembri tossed out a question on Facebook.  Would anyone be interested in attending a three-day repro course?  As a first-time stallion owner who knows the impeccable reputation of Sue’s work, I did not have to think twice about reserving my spot. 16 other horse owners from around the country felt the same way.  While we were mostly Appaloosa owners from as far away as Oregon, we were joined by Quarter Horse, Warmblood and POA owners as well.  If we thought this was just going to be three days hanging out at the ranch, we were wrong.

The first day focused on the mare.  A full day (8:30 to 5) of lecture covered everything from basic mare reproductive anatomy, to the endocrinology of conception and pregnancy, to problems that can occur that can influence a mare to have a problem to either conceive or carry a foal to term.  Day two started out at the lecture hall in the morning as well, where we discussed pregnancy, foaling and the possible issues that can arise in that process. The highlight of the second day was the commencement of the wet lab at Char-O-Lot Ranch.

As a decades long Appaloosa owner, I am embarrassed to say that I have never been to Char-O-Lot Ranch and my first visit did not disappoint.  Upon first glance, it is obvious that this is an operation set up for maximum efficiency to produce quality work.  Our time there was focused on the breeding barn.  The breeding barn is housed immediately next to the phantom where they collect the stallions and right next to the mare barn that houses the mares who have already foaled.  The lab is a small room in the breeding barn so that everything can be immediately analyzed.