In an effort to help raise funds to expand and renovate its facilities, the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine will be holding a series of stallion service auctions, with proceeds going to the university's Equine Health Studies Program (EHSP).

The dedicated faculty and staff of the LSU Equine program were recently called into action in response to the damage caused in the Gulf region due to the series of hurricanes that besieged the area in late August, and again, in September. Acting as "volunteers," LSU personnel literally worked day-and-night, wading through flood waters, taking emergency calls, organizing volunteer efforts and channeling donated supplies in a collective effort to save the area's horse population. To view some of the remarkable photos and read about these efforts visit www.LSUEquine.com and click on "Hurricane Katrina."

The multiple-breed benefit auction will assist in efforts to improve the Veterinary Hospital's Equine Clinic and build a new state-of-the-art Equine Isolation Unit for the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A portion of this year's auction proceeds will also be used to help offset the costs associated with the rescue, treatment, sheltering and rehabilitation of horses affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

A series of four auctions will be held. The bidding for the first auction commences on October 14 and closes on October 28.

The remaining auction periods/dates include:
--October 28-November 11 period (bidding closing on November 11)
--November 11-November 25 period (bidding closing on November 25)
--November 25-December 16 period (bidding closing on December 16)

Stallion owners can donate a 2006 breeding to their stallion(s), and/or mare owners can bid on other stallions. Donated breeding sessions are considered tax-deductible charitable gifts for the market value of the breeding regardless of the amount of the winning bid. Stallion owners and farms also will receive advertising and marketing through the auction. To add your stallion to the roster of breeding services or to see a current list of stallion breedings available for bid, visit www.LSUequine.com and follow the Stallion Service Auction links where the forms can be downloaded.

Mare owners can also find wonderful stallions for this year's breeding season at potentially bargain prices. To get a bid number to participate in the auction, visit www.LSUequine.com and register. You will be contacted by e-mail with your auction number and then may start bidding. As a courtesy, you will receive an e-mail to remind you when the bidding is about to begin and end.

Over the last three years, almost $90,000 was raised toward the construction of the new Equine Intensive Care Unit. This enhancement to the LSU Equine Complex became a reality in early 2005 and has served hundreds of horses this year.

The most immediate need the LSU Equine program now faces is the construction of a state-of-the-art Equine Isolation Unit. This unit is necessary to house and manage horses with infectious and potentially contagious disease. It is vital to the well-being of the horses it will serve, and is necessary to safeguard the health of all horses who visit the LSU Equine Clinic.

Visit the LSU Equine Health Studies Program website at www.LSUequine.com to learn more about the program and its many other activities.

If you have questions on how to bid, how to add your stallion to the auction or have additional comments you would like to share, please e-mail [email protected].