At the end of February 2026, the fifth self-contained artificial insemination course took place at the Holsteiner Verband in Elmshorn.

Since March 2024, a total of 70 breeders have now been trained in theory and practice by our speakers Dr. Simone Konopka from the Hoffeld veterinary practice, Gerard Muffels from the Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH, and Dr. Norbert Borchers and his female staff from the Ministry of Agriculture. Following a successfully passed examination, they are now qualified to inseminate the mare population on their own farms. Alongside Holsteiner breeders, we also welcomed guests from other federal states, from abroad, and from other breeding associations.

For the association "Holsteiner Zucht- und Sportförderung e.V.", this brings this successful series to a temporary close, with the aim of furthering the education of Holsteiner breeders and enabling them to carry out insemination independently. In good cooperation with farm veterinarians, this can certainly mean cost savings for mare owners.

Many thanks to all dedicated contributors from the initial idea to the implementation here in the north at the Holsteiner Verband.

Text and photo: Sabine Verhaagh