Equine Reproduction Technician
This program is designed to offer specialized training for people interested in equine reproduction. It will allow anyone who wants to own, operate, or work in a breeding or foaling facility to gain the skills and experience necessary to be successful. It will also open doors for students in the Equine Science program, as they will have the opportunity to take the new program to follow up their studies and become certified in equine reproduction.
Dr. Marion Anderson, Instructor, Equine Reproduction Technician
Need more information?
Olds College Admissions
403.556.8281
1.800.661.6537
horses@oldscollege.ca
What can you expect from our program?
The Equine Reproduction Technician program will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in or operate an equine breeding facility.
With an online and on campus portion to the program, you can complete a portion from home without interrupting your day to day life. On-campus learning will include a heavy focus on hands on learning, where students learn practical knowledge rather than theory.
What will you learn?
Online programming includes the anatomy and physiology of the mare and stallion and early pregnancy, managing horses to maximize fertility, breeding management including manipulation of the estrus cycle, managing infertility, and managing the periparturient mare and the neonatal foal.
Onsite programming included hands-on training in hand breeding, stallion semen collection and insemination, transported cooled semen, frozen semen and embryo transfer - as well as managing and treating problem mares. Students will also participate in the management of pregnant mares prior to foaling, during foaling, and after foaling as well as care of the neonatal foal. Students will have the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills as a participant in the commercial breeding/foaling operation at the college.
Students will leave the program with experience in:
- Managing mares and stallions during the breeding season
- Performing the techniques required for modern breeding methods
- Evaluating the reproductive performance of breeding animals
- Maintaining currency with research and technology in equine reproduction
- Managing pregnant mares before, during and after parturition
- Managing neonatal foals
Your Future
Job opportunities include: Owner/operator of a breeding operation, Manager of large breeding operation, Expanding services offered at a training/boarding facility to include breeding, RVT in an equine breeding practice or an equine practice that offers breeding/foaling services (if you have also successfully completed an AHT/RVT diploma), or working with an equine veterinarian at a breeding farm or in an equine practice offering breeding services.
Program at a glance
Program Length:
1 Year
Program Intake:
Fall (October Start)
Delivery:
Olds Campus
Applications Open:
October 1
Tuition & Fees:
$5,890*
Credential: Certificate
Length of Program: 1 Year
Method of Delivery: Blended Online and Olds Campus
Program Timeline: The online portion of the program consists of two, seven week terms. The first term will be offered from late October to early December. The second will be offered from early January until late February.
Two courses will be offered each term.
The onsite portion of the program will be offered from early March until the end of June. Students will be required to successfully complete online courses before being allowed to participate in the onsite component of the program.
Program Intakes: Fall Intake (October program start)
- Online Term 1 starts October 2020 – ends December 2020
- Online Term 2 starts January 2021 – ends February 2021
- On-Campus Term 3 starts March 2021 – ends June 2021
Applications Open: October 1 for Fall Intake
Selection Process for Admission: First Qualified, First Admitted
Tuition, Mandatory Fees, Books, and Supplies: Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for details
- Tuition & Fees: $5,890 / Books & Supplies: $500
*These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. Please note that all fees are best estimates and are subject to change.
What do I need to apply?
Admission Requirements:
- Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement (completed at minimum 3 years of formal education taught entirely in English or provide the results of a recognized English Language Proficiency exam).
AND
- Completion of the Olds College Equine Science or the Animal Health Technology diploma with a program GPA of 2.0 or higher. An equivalent diploma or degree in equine studies or animal health, or a degree in veterinary medicine may also be considered;
OR
- 50% or better in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, and;
- 50% or better in Biology 30, and;
- 50% or better in Math 20-1 or 20-2, and;
- 120 Hours of Job Shadowing and/or Employment. Submit a Verification Form to verify the required 120 hours.
- Applicants must complete a minimum of 120 hours of paid and/or volunteer job shadowing and/or employment in an equine related business (may be completed on or outside of your family owned business/farm). Hours are to be completed so the applicant is able to gain an understanding of the equine industry - the equine industry is both rewarding and challenging!
- The hours may be gained from more than one equine related business.
- The job shadowing and/or employment hours are not required to be completed through a school program/class.
- The job shadowing and/or employment hours must be completed prior to submitting the Verification Form.
- The Verification Form must include the name & contact information of the supervisor/employer who most closely supervised the applicant in the location where the job shadowing and/or employment hours were gained.
- The applicant will need to submit one Verification Form for each job shadowing/employment that was used to gain the required hours.
Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrolment and any available interim/ mid term marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.
Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.
International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from international applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency. Further information can be found on our website under International Students.