Student Blog from Luke O’Neill (Ireland) and Josefina Posada (Columbia)

Hello everybody and welcome to our blog this week! Our names are Luke O’Neill and Josefina (Josie) Posada and we are the students assigned to write the blog this week. In it we will highlight some of our activities and insights from our week working in the Kildare Yard with the mares and foals under barn foremen Laura Bennett and Paul Maloney. Luke also began his week finishing up foal watch night duty on Monday morning, which concluded with two new arrivals in the early hours.

Below we will both answer some questions that will feature our biggest takeaways and learnings from the week and our time on the course so far.

What was something you enjoyed over the past week?

Luke: This week I really enjoyed seeing the foals that I had worked with in Kildare about a month ago much more grown up and developed, both physically and mentally. This included three that I got the opportunity to foal too, so that was great to see.

Josie: I enjoyed the sunshine and getting to work in Kildare, which is looking beautiful at the moment with the cherry trees in blossom. Kildare is usually quite busy and full of tourists. I particularly enjoy seeing people take an interest in the horses, as well as watching them enjoy the experience.

What was your biggest learning this week?

Luke: My biggest learning this week was about how to manage the mares and foals who are now living out full time for the first time in their lives. This included administering the daily medication, feeding and general monitoring of their well-being. All of the foals were loving getting the sun on their backs as they started to coat too.

Another learning I had this week came in the second lecture we had with Sally Ann Grassick talking to us about Communications and Media Training as part of our Personal and Professional Development module. This involved splitting into pairs and conducting practice interviews with each other before getting to watch each other and providing feedback on how we could improve. It was really insightful as very few of us had experience in this area and found it to be very beneficial!

Josie: In general, during the course I’ve learnt that there are no silly questions at work. This week there were occasions where I made silly mistakes for not asking enough questions! We also had the pleasure of hearing from Michelle Forgaty, the Bloodstock Operations Manager at Weatherbys. During her talk, we learned more about the use of pedigree research, data analysis, and the range of services Weatherbys provides. It was fascinating to hear about her journey in the industry, and it left me feeling inspired and excited for the future.

What was a challenge you faced this week and how did you overcome it?

Luke:  The main challenge that I faced this week was early on Monday morning when we had to deal with a slightly difficult foaling. In order to overcome it, I listened carefully to Carol’s instructions and followed them accordingly. That involved pulling on the foal’s legs in different directions to deliver him as smoothly as possible and also remaining calm. Luckily, the foal was fine, he was just a bit bigger than the norm!

Josie: This week, I helped hold foals for the vet during routine monthly lung scans (to allow for prompt action in case any of the foals presented lung abscess). To scan the lungs, the foal’s chest is wetted with alcohol to ensure good contact between the ultrasound probe and the skin. This can be uncomfortable, and foals may  jump around or try to get away. I found it challenging to hold the foals, especially those that are getting bigger and stronger! Laura was very helpful in advising how to carry out this task as safely as possible for the foal, the vet, and the handlers.

What are you hoping to get out of the rest of the INS Course?

Luke: I am really looking forward to getting to work with the stallions at some stage, and I am looking forward to the rest of the trips that we have coming up too. Each one provides a new opportunity to see something different and to develop our networks. Continuing to see the foals mature is another thing I am looking forward to and will help me to have better foresight in the future when I see newborn foals for the first time.

Josie: I’m looking forward to working with The Legends and to seeing what the rest of the trips will be like. So far, we’ve visited Coolmore, Ballydoyle, Kildangan Stud, and Bansha House Stables – all of which have been incredibly kind in giving us their time and showing us around. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and I’ve really enjoyed being constantly surrounded by like-minded people. Many thanks to the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship for this once in a lifetime opportunity!