Horse Sport Ireland Announces Details of New Embyro Transfer Scheme

Horse Sport Ireland is happy to announce that a fund of €75,000 will be available for a new Embyro Transfer Scheme in 2017.  This new scheme, which is being funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will aim to increase genetic improvement by maximising the genetic potential of Ireland’s top class performance mares.

The scheme is open to mares that are 3 years or older, are registered in a DAFM approved studbook and meet the 4* or 5* performance or progeny/full sister performance requirements (see application form for details).  The embryo transfer must take place at a designated clinic after the 8th June and an application must be submitted before the 31st August 2017. A payment of €700 per embryo will be payable to the owner upon submission of a veterinary declaration confirming that the recipient has been scanned in foal after 60 days.  Mare owners can apply for funding for up to 4 embryos under the scheme in 2017.  Semen used for the embryo transfers must be from stallions which are Approved in a WBFSH studbook or a pony studbook approved by DAFM.

Speaking about the new breeding initiative, HSI Director of Breeding and Programmes, Alison Corbally said “This initiative has been developed in line with recommendation R.1.2 from Reaching New Heights which advocates the increased usage of AI and ET in order to accelerate the dissemination of superior genes.  The scheme will benefit the owners of performance mares, or mares that have already produced top class performance horses, through the support of the Embyro Transfer process.  Many of these mares may not otherwise be available to contribute to the breeding of sport horses in Ireland as their owners may wish for them to remain in competition or they may be incapable of carrying a foal to term.  We are very grateful to the Department of Agriculture for their support with this initiative.”

Application forms for mare owners wishing to participate in the scheme are available to download HERE.

For further information on the Embryo Transfer Scheme please contact the Scheme’s co-ordinator Antonette Doran at 045 854508 or email adoran@horsesportireland.ie