Equine Reproduction Class--Open to students

[Onzyy]

James stepped into the classroom. It was to be the first of his Equine Reproduction classes today. The classes in the main campus were finishing off for today, and soon students would be escaping to various places around the academy. For some, they would be carrying on schooling in the form of his class.

James put down his shoulder bag and took out the packs of notes that he had prepped for the first class. The first pack highlighted the class work, project dates, test dates etc. He put a pack of each on the first few desks. If there were more students, he'll give them as they walked in. He wasn't expecting much in terms of the number of students. Equine reproduction didn't hold the glamour that other classes did.

Not that he cared. It was one of the most informative classes that could be held. "Do people think that foals fall out of the bloody sky?" he muttered to himself. Turning to the board he quickly wrote down some information.

Mr. Cole
Welcome

James was very casual today. Jeans, converse trainers, a t-shirt and a hoodie. He didn't really go to M.I.T but he had a habit of collecting varsity hoodies. He had taken off the hoodie to reveal some of his tattoos, but he wouldn't let that bother him. The students would just have to get used to it. Sitting back at his desk he took out his blue Sony Vaio, and attached it to the projector and speakers. Now all he had to do was wait for the students.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tags: James Cole; Students
Outfit: Clicky

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara left the class room she had spent the past hour in. "Gracias por la lección maravillosa la Sra Carlysle."

The teacher smiled and nodded in reply as she turned to speak with another student.

Many of the other students wondered why she took languages at all since she could speak all the ones taught at the school fluently. The reason she took them was because she didn't like sitting in the library doing nothing, and she wasn't allowed in the barns during school time unless she had an assigned lesson.

After stopping off at her dorm to change out of the navy pant-suit she was wearing and into a pair of beige jodhpurs, pale blue shirt and beige vest, she pushed her feet into her paddock boots - that were so clean no one would ever think she actually walked in the paddock in them. She then walked across the campus and into the Evening Primrose Barn. After saying a quick greeting to the mares who were in their stalls, she walked into the classroom.

She headed toward the front of the room and slipped into one of the many empty chairs. Setting her black satchel on the floor by her chair, she reached into it and pulled out the folder she had purchased for this class, her pencil case and the case that held her glasses. Opening the latter case, she picked the glasses up and put them on so that she could read the information that was on the desk she sat at. Then opening the folder, she selected three pens from the case; red, blue and black, along with a lead pencil. Uncapping the black pen, she began writing up the class information she always put on the first page of a folder: Class, tutor, time, duration, and any extra information she felt was required. All was written in her neat precise handwriting that was drilled into her during her schooling in Birmingham.

[freebird]

Braelynn rushed into the classroom, hoping she was not late for her class. Her alarm clock never went off in the morning, and she woke up late, rushed to feed her horses and turn them out, and then rushed here for class. Her parents were both vets and she held the passion somewhere deep inside to also be a vet someday. Slipping a quick smile to the instructor, she slipped down an aisle of seats, settling upon the second row of seats to sit in.

Reaching down, she pulled out her notebook and a pencil, and placed them on the desk in front of her. There was only one other student in the room besides her, and she sat in the row in front of her. Still, Braelynn looked up at the instructor, smiling again and looking curiously at his many tattoos.

[Onzyy]

As soon as James found the slide show he was looking for he got up and went to the front of the class. He saw that there were only two students, but no matter. It would mean very little marking.

He decided that he would start the class, rather than wait any longer. Good afternoon.I'm Mr. Cole, but I assume you already know that. I know one of you, nodding to Cara, but the other I do not. Could you please introduce yourself, but before you do, you'll notice the pack of notes that you each have on the desk. It lists the dates of tests and projects that are due and when.

He waited for the blonde girl to talk before starting with the lesson. He noticed the curious look that she gave his tattoos.

[freebird]

Braelynn looked up when the instructor stood, noticing that he was addressing her in front of the class. Quickly, she felt the heat rise up in her cheeks and then cast her eyes downwards, looking at the packet that was on her desk. The packet showed the projects and tests that she would have to do in the course, and when they were due. She skimmed through it quickly, hoping she would remember the important dates she needed to know. Suddenly, she remembered that he had asked her to introduce herself, and she quickly brought her eyes forward and focused upon the instructor.

"Sorry, my name's Braelynn Rose Owens..Both my parents are vets and I'm extremely interested in being a vet student as well" She smiled quickly, feeling the heat slowly descend from her cheeks.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

ooc: Please don't put that image at the top of every single post, Freebird.

Cara listened as Braelynn introduced herself, she raised an eyebrow as the girl mentioned she wanted to be a vet student. There were only two vet student positions at the Academy and she had one of those spaces and Rachel Williams took the second. She mentally drummed her fingers against the table - as if she'd psychically done it, it would show that she were bored and would rather be somewhere else which was far from the truth.

She turned to the next page in her folder and wrote down the dates that were in the pack of notes on her desk. Sure, she could have just used a hole punch and stuck the notes directly into her folder, but writing stuff down was just what she did. She was excited about this class, but was now wondering if she had picked the right mare. Was there a possibility that Mr Cole would allow her to work with two? Since the Haflinger was so close to term, and she'd like to take part in organising having the Morgan mare serviced.

[Onzyy]

James nodded as Braelynn welcomed herself, yet it worried him that she said she wanted to be a vet student. Welcome Braelynn. He spoke to the class next, As this is an Equine Reproduction class, we will be dealing with everything there is to know. From mare, foal and stallion health, to feeding, and breeding. Genetics, colouring and finding the right stallion for a mare. Now for a few ground rules: I don't accept late homework or project, nor do I accept late comers to my class. There will be pop quizzes so it's best to know your work. I will tell you when we will have a practical lesson, as there is only so much you can do with theory.

He waited for the girls to absorb this before continuing. As you would've noticed when signing up for the class that you had to choose a mare. Because there are only 2 of you at present I will allow you to choose more than one mare. Braelynn, I still need your choice, so come see me after class. Now we will start what you all came for. Please turn to the first page of your notes. Our first topic is mare health. He flicked off the lights, but enough light still came from the outside.

James went and started the slide show. For years breeders only placed emphasis on the stallion, forgetting that mare's played a critical part in the foal as well.



The most critical part for good health is the correct feeding, habitat, and care. You wouldn't feed a broodmare the same that you would a top competition horse.

[freebird]

Braelynn blushed slightly when both the instructor and the other girl gave her puzzled looks when she mentioned she wanted to be a vet. She was puzzled, there were plenty more opportunities out there, and she felt the academy was only the first step. She blushed even more when she realized she had not picked out a mare in the beginning of the class, and had to see the instructor after class. Not a good way to start out.., she thought to herself quickly. When the instructor told them to flip to the first page of their notes, she quickly flipped to it and skimmed over the notes before he had a chance to go over them.

She believed that reading the notes before the instructor went over them would help her remember them more, and found it easier to pay attention to the class. She quickly jotted down some side notes he made while going over the notes, and listened attentively.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara turned to the first page of the notes and read through them. Her memory worked as a blessing and a curse, as once she'd read the notes they were placed in the stores of her memory and were there forever. She turned to the next page in her folder and jotted down notes as they watched the slides that Mr Cole was showing them, making sure that she wasn't writing down what the man said verbatim.

From her years in the competition ring, she knew a good amount of information about mare health as there were a number of competitors who competed their horses well and truly into their pregnancy cycle - especially in equitation and lower level dressage classes.

She made a mental note to speak with Mr Cole as soon as she got the chance. If there were pop-quizzes all the time, she guessed that she needed to explain about her memory - the last thing she wanted was to be expelled from the class for plagiarism when all the information had come from her head. She worked hard not to write things down as she had seen them in a book, but sometimes her work did come off as though it hadn't been written by a fifteen year old.

[Onzyy]

As you can see these mares are good condition and that will aid them in foaling, and pregnancy. We'll start with feeding. Usually, the number one mistake is the overfeeding with respect to protein during the time of gestation. Secondly, vitamins and minerals are not fed in high enough quantities for mare and foal, and last but not least, in an effort to curtail weight gain, the amount of protein and energy is limited during the time of lactation when the broodmare needs it the most. An increase in minerals during the last four months, especially substances like copper, is necessary. All our mares are provided with mineral and salt licks.

James waited before going on, just so the two students could absorb the information.


A mare's body will start deteriorating to feed a foal at foot, or to provide nutrients to the unborn foal. The results are sometimes ghastly, but that is how it is. Exercise is also necessary. Not the heavy full blown work out, but a light hack, and toward the end bareback riding.




Foals are a joy to own and care for, but are a lot of hard work. We're not at foal's yet, but mare's in the correct habitat are happy mares. They enjoy nothing but time in the sun with their fellow pregnant ladies. When leaving a mare in a paddock, no stallions or even geldings should be present. It can cause any amount of damage by misplaced kick or exertion can cause the mare to abort.

[freebird]

Braelynn listed attentively as Mr. Cole went over the slides he was showing in the front of the classroom. She followed along with the packet on her desk and occasionally jotted down notes that was not included in the packet, but based off of things he was saying. Sighing, she ran a hand through her blond hair nervously and turned her attention to the window. The sun was beginning to slowly set over the academy, and she was marveled at the colors in the sky. She knew she should be paying attention to what the instructor was saying, and quickly turned back towards the instructor, hoping he would not notice her daydreaming.

She was anxious to pick her mare or mares and to take care of them.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara continued to watch the slides. She loved looking at pictures of mother and baby animals. The bond between them seemed to surpass the bond between humans. There was never any question on whether the mother wanted her baby, they bonded instantly through the birthing process.

She wrote down everything that Mr Cole said as well as her own notes.