The Breeding Enterprise gives Cal Poly students an opportunity to participate in all aspects of breeding. Dr. Burd, an equine reproductive physiologist for the animal science department, leads students through successful breeding seasons.

Members of the enterprise begin by tracking the mares’ heat cycles prior to breeding. Once the mare has reached ovulation, she can be artificially inseminated.

Veterinarians can predict the due date of the foal but not an exact time. When the foaling or birthing portion of the breeding program is underway, students pitch tents outside the breeding barn for around the clock surveillance of the mares.

A vast majority of the horses in the Ranch Horse, Quarter Horse, and Thoroughbred Enterprise projects are all Cal Poly bred and raised. Not only are Cal Poly horses bred through the enterprise but horses from all over the United States whose owners want to generate exceptional genetic background for their foal.

To learn more about the Breeding Enterprise Project visit the link to Cal Poly's Animal Science Department or email Dr. Burd at mburd@calpoly.edu.

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