A groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Kentucky (UK) Equine Reproduction Facilities was held Oct. 26 at UK’s Maine Chance Equine Campus. The ceremony recognized supporters who generously donated money to fund the remodeling of facilities for equine reproduction research that will be conducted by scientists at the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center.

The remodeled facilities will help the university develop the best equine reproductive research program in the country and give the Gluck Equine Research Center the opportunity to match the signature equine industry it serves. The remodeled facilities will be used for the management of mares and stallions, and laboratory facilities will be constructed for handling semen, embryos, and reproductive tissues.

Lexington is the epicenter of the state’s renowned equine industry and, as such, reproductive health is of top concern. Statistics show the importance of equine reproduction research at UK and the significance of equine breeding in the area. In 2008 41% of all Thoroughbred mares bred in North America were bred in Kentucky, and 608 Quarter Horse stallions in Kentucky covered or bred via artificial insemination more than 10,990 mares. In 2007 30 Standardbred stallions covered or bred via artificial insemination 1,543 mares, and 752 Standardbred foals were registered. Each year, the American Saddlebred Horse Association reports about 1,050 of its registered mares are bred in Kentucky.

“This facility augments a program that is of highest significance to a region which represents the equine reproduction capital of the world,” said Nancy Cox, MS, PhD, associate dean for research of UK’s College of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station director, and administrative leader for the Equine Initiative. “The college appreciates the advice from our stakeholders to make a shared investment in reproduction research. We are grateful to those who showed their confidence in us through investments in this facility