The UC Davis Equine Reproduction Service was well represented at a recent international breeders’ veterinary conference in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, held during the KWPN Stallion Show. The conference attracted leaders in the field to share insights on showjumping breeding and equine reproduction in general.

Drs. Babiche Heil and Catherine Renaudin were invited speakers. They presented, among other topics, results of their respective research on the equine uterine microbiome and in utero ultrasonography of the distal limb to assess equine fetal bone maturation and predict foaling date.

The veterinary conference is a well-attended meeting, with veterinarians attending from around the world and is held during the KWPN Stallion Show, Europe’s biggest warmblood stallion event. Young stallions are appointed for the rigorous 90-day stallion test prior to studbook approval, along with presentations of already approved and elite KWPN stallions, as well as the breeder and horse of the year in both showjumping and dressage disciplines.  

Prior to the conference, Drs. Heil and Renaudin also led a one-day short course (lectures and labs) on the ultrasonography of the pregnant mare to assess feto-placental well-being, as well as fetal sexing.

KWPN (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland; translation: Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands) is a Dutch organization, founded in 1887, which oversees the breeding and registration of high-performance sport horses, including dressage, jumping, and harness disciplines.

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