Bookings open for 2024 TBA Stud Farming Course

The course aims to give attendees a comprehensive knowledge of key stud management topics through a combination of lectures and practical site visits with industry experts, including those from Newmarket Equine Hospital, Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons, and the Royal Veterinary College.  

Aimed at those who wish to build upon their own practical experience and knowledge of stud work and get to grips with new developments and ways of working, the three-day course is a great way to either refresh your knowledge or learn new practice.  

• Day one: Detailed overview of the management of broodmares and include talks on barren mare management, biosecurity and stud protocols, causes of abortion and practical paddock management.   

• Day two:  Focus on a range of horse management topics including upper respiratory tract disorders, nutrition of the yearling, sales preparation and managing a commercial stallion.  

• Day three: The final day will focus of management of neonatal foals, including talks on foaling, common conditions of the new-born foal, management of growth defects and limb corrections.  

The three days are paired with behind-the-scenes visits to Rossdales Equine Hospital and Beech House Stud, home of the Shadwell Stallion’s Baaeed, Mohaather and Mostahdaf.  Delegates are invited to a dinner on the first night of the course, giving the opportunity to socialise with fellow delegates, speakers and industry professionals. 

Laura Steley, Senior Stud Secretary for Shadwell who attended the Stud Farming Course last year said: "The whole course was invaluable to me and was the right balance of lecture style talks from leading experts and practical on-site visits. I enjoyed discussing thoughts and opinions with the other delegates, some of whom had masses of knowledge and experience. I found the follow-up learning resources to be really useful and I would highly recommend this course to anyone working within the stud industry." 

Caroline Turnbull, Industry Education and Retention Manager for the TBA said: We look forward to welcoming all those with a keen interest in stud management to the TBA’s annual Stud Farming Course in December, which offers a unique opportunity to learn from the experts and each other in a friendly and informal setting.  As the course takes place when the forthcoming breeding season is just around the corner, it offers the ideal occasion to share thoughts and ideas to improve the day to day running of a stud farm of any size.   

The course fee for 2024 is £450 (inc VAT) for TBA members or £582 (inc VAT) for non-members. Discounts are available for TBA members sending three or more delegates, please contact the TBA office for more information. The fee includes all lunches, refreshments, dinner on the first night and online access to some of the course material after the event, but delegates will need source their own accommodation.