Topics for the night:

• The Equine Reproduction Toolbox for Problem Mares

Dr Lee Morris

This talk will cover frequently asked questions about progesterone testing, endometritis, fertility supplements...and more!

• Foals, Foetuses & the Rule of Five: Spotlight on Readyserve Injection

Dr Finola McConaghy

When they are bred for performance, your Altrenogest performance is key.

Dr Holly Blue

How do we navigate through the increasing pressures of social media forums and quasi science to support our clients to follow robust parasite management plans that will extend anthelmintic efficacy?

Speakers

Lee Morris is a Registered Specialist in Veterinary Reproduction and director of EquiBreed ART Ltd in New Zealand. Lee studied male fertility and in vitro embryo production during her Doctorate of Veterinary Science at University of Guelph, Canada (1998) and then undertook her post-doctoral studies in embryology, low dose insemination and sperm transport with Prof WR Allen at the Equine Fertility Unit, UK (1998-2001). Now, Lee specialises in advanced reproductive technologies in horses and enjoys bridging the gap between the ivory towers of research and the breeding industry. Lee was the first veterinarian in New Zealand to produce foals by ICSI, postmortem genetics, cryopreservation, epididymal sperm, laparoscopic techniques and sex-sorted semen. While practising as a specialist veterinarian, Lee has continued to publish over 30 papers in peer reviewed journals and has supervised two PhD students and five MSc students. Lee has been the principal investigator for projects funded by the NZ Equine Research Foundation, NZ Equine Trust, NZ Callaghan Innovation and a collaborator on an Australian Research Council project on stallion fertility. She is on the committee of the International Symposium of Equine Reproduction, International Symposium of Stallion Reproduction and has hosted ISER XI in New Zealand. Lee has presented her work internationally and been awarded best practitioner publications (2018, 2024) and presentation (2023) at the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association conference. EquiBreed ART has evolved to keep the New Zealand equine breeding industry at the forefront of reproductive technologies to improve fertility in horses. Lee is a consultant to MVS EquiBreed (Matamata Veterinary Services, New Zealand) and on the Scientific Advisory Team for Vetmotl Inc. (USA).

Finola graduated from the University of Sydney in 1990 with the University Medal. She completed an internship at Camden followed by a PhD in equine thermoregulation during exercise. In 1995 Finola studied as a resident in Large Animal Medicine at the New Bolton Center. Finola was in equine practice before starting with Ceva Animal Health (then Nature Vet) in 1998 as a Technical Services Manager. Finola has been at Ceva Animal Health ever since and is responsible for Technical Services and new product development within Australia, her research interests include equine osteoarthritis. Finola has authored and co-authored numerous refereed scientific articles. Finola joined the AVA in 1998 and was a member of the AVI committee from 2004-2014 and rejoined in 2019. She has been and is currently the President of the AVI committee. Finola has contributed to the AVI via the Policy Council, the ILT, ILC and TAC (former liaison committees between the AVA and the APVMA). Finola has provided expert advice to the AVA in relation to important issues affecting veterinarians in Industry for many years. Finola is also a member of the EVA and has competed in horse trials for many years.

Holly Blue is a veterinarian with a passion for equine reproduction and parasitology. Growing up between Australia and New Zealand, she cultivated an interest in sport-horse breeding while gaining hands-on experience in various production animal enterprises. Holly graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) from the University of Melbourne.

Her journey in parasitology began during her new graduate years at Vet Services HB, where she participated in groundbreaking anthelmintic resistance trials conducted in sheep. Inspired by this work, Holly initiated her own research focusing on equine parasite management. By adapting strategies from production animal medicine, she developed best practices tailored to the unique needs of horses.

In 2015 she left general practice and established a successful foaling and reproduction facility, Blue Blood Equine.

In 2020, Holly founded Worm-Ed, a national parasite consultancy programme dedicated to providing expert advice and innovative solutions for equine parasite control. Her entrepreneurial efforts earned recognition through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Rural Women’s Entrepreneur scheme, highlighting her contributions to the field.

Holly now convenes an Anthelmintic Resistance subcommittee under the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association, where she spearheads initiatives to study equine anthelmintic performance across New Zealand. The findings from these studies form the foundation for educational programmes aimed at horse owners and veterinarians, empowering them with knowledge to tackle parasite resistance effectively.