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ARS Announcement
Animal Reproduction Systems Newsletter
Dear Valued ARS Customers,

The 2019 Breeding Season is now upon us and new foals are arriving every day.  This email
will focus on the arriving foals and a new article on getting your stallion ready for the breeding
season.


ARS Foaling Kits

Are you expecting a new foal in the coming weeks or months? Want to make sure all the
supplies are on hand when they arrive? Animal Reproduction Systems has two convenient 
foaling kits that provide the basic supplies as recommended by the Equine Reproduction
Laboratory at Colorado State University.

The Standard Foaling Kit provides what is typically needed during a routine foaling. The
Deluxe Foaling Kit includes an Equine Colostrom Refractometer and E-Z Breather™ Foal
Resuscitator in addition to the supplies in the standard kit.






Techniques in Equine Reproduction book, 6th Edition

Providing the latest information on all aspects of equine reproduction is something we are
passionate about at Animal Reproduction Systems. Our latest comprehensive book, 
"Techniques in Equine  Reproduction" 6th Edition is now available. Author, Patrick M. McCue,
DVM, PhD,  has added over 60 pages of new material and updated the entire book with the
latest information. The chapter on freezing semen has been completely revamped with the
latest protocols for our CryomaxTM  freezing extenders.  Dr. McCue has also added new
chapters dealing with common problems for stallions, mares, and newborn foals. This 218
page book is filled with photographs and step-by-step instructions making it an ideal reference
source for horse owners, breeders, and equine students.

All procedures and equipment outlined in this publication have been evaluated and are
recommended by the Equine Reproduction Laboratory at Colorado State University.

The cost of the 6th Edition of the "Techniques in Equine Reproduction" book is $40.00 and $5
USPS media mail shipping is available to domestic customers.





ARS Equine Colostrum Refractometer
One drop of colostrum is all it takes to make a difference in a foal’s life

Advantages of the ARS Colostrum Refractometer:
§ Rapid evaluation of colostrum quality
§ Accurate, repeatable
§ Stall-side testing
§ Easy to use and easy to clean
§ Built-in colostrum quality scale 
§ Cost effective technique for proactive prevention of passive transfer failure in
foals
§ University tested

Colostrum - The Elixir of Life
Colostrum is the thick, sticky yellow fluid produced by the mammary gland of the mare during
the last few weeks of pregnancy.  Colostrum is rich in antibodies that are critically important
for immune protection of the newborn foal.  Foals are born without any antibody protection and
are entirely dependent on antibodies from colostrum for protection against infection during the
early neonatal period.
Most foals will stand within one hour and begin to nurse within 2 hours after birth.  Specialized
enterocyte cells in the small intestine engulf droplets of colostrum and transfer the antibodies
into the lymphatics and subsequently into the bloodstream.  The capacity of the small
intestine to absorb and transfer antibodies is greatest during the first 6 to 8 hours after birth,
declines substantially after 12 hours, and completely ceases within 24 hours after birth.  Foals
need to ingest a minimum of 1 to 2 liters of good quality colostrum within the first few hours of
life to acquire sufficient antibodies to protect against infectious diseases.

Failure of Passive Transfer

Failure of passive transfer (FPT) occurs in 10 to 20 % of newborn foals.  Inadequate passive
transfer of antibodies from colostrum puts a newborn foal at significant risk of infectious
diseases early in life.  The most common causes of FPT are premature lactation, poor quality
colostrum, failure of colostrum production, inability or lack of desire by the foal to nurse,
prematurity, dysmaturity, foal rejection by the mare, and failure to absorb antibodies that are
ingested.  
Refractometer evaluation of colostrum is valuable in determining the quality of colostrum to be
harvested and stored in a colostrum bank.  Owners and farm managers are strongly
encouraged to maintain a supply of equine colostrum frozen at -20° C.  A volume of 250 to 500
mls of colostrum may be safely harvested from a postpartum mare without adversely affecting
passive transfer to her own foal. 
For additional Information on this topic, read the article:




New Article in our Archive

ARS is pleased to share a new article by Patrick McCue, DVM, PhD, on how to evaluate your
stallions while getting ready for the upcoming breeding season.  The article may be found on
our website or by clicking on the link below:


Animal Reproduction Systems is dedicated to providing superior products and
educational material for our clents.  To review the archive of previous articles we
have published, follow this link to our library!
Deluxe Foaling Kit
ARS - Equine Colostrum Refractometer
Please visit www.arssales.com/equine for additional information.

For more information call us at 1-800-300-5143 or visit our web site at www.arssales.com.

Comments/questions/suggestions - e-mail them to sales@arssales.com