HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has launched it’s Reproductive Health Screening Scheme for 2024 and, this year, it is open to all active breeding animals in the sport horse sector during the 2024 season.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the scheme was previously open to stallions, but has now been expanded to include mares. It is open to all studbook registered stallions and mares (horses or ponies) and subsidises the cost of pre-breeding screening up to a maximum of €50. Applicants will be asked for their details and to upload the relevant veterinary reports and receipts to draw down the subsidy.

The pre-breeding screening must include testing for sport horses as follows: equine viral arteritis (EVA), equine infectious anaemia (EIA) and contagious equine metritis (CEM).

Applicants should ensure that they are using the same laboratory in their regular pre-breeding screening and mare and stallion owners should always request proof of health status ahead of breeding. All imported semen must be accompanied by a health certificate and zootechnical certificate. This is vital to maintain equine high-health status, as there is no EVA vaccine available in 2024.

Mare and stallion owners can sign up for the scheme using an online form available at horsesportireland.ie. All applications and screening documentation must be submitted April 24th, 2024.