Plans to establish a Connemara Pony Stud at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are well underway with the arrival of four mares and one stallion at CSU’s Equine Centre in August. The stud will produce horses suitable for veterinary science, animal science and equine students to handle, train and manage as part of their course. Equine science lecturer at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in Wagga Wagga, Mr Hunter Doughty, said “Many students have had little exposure to horse handling and horse reproduction so it is important for them to develop confidence. The Connemara pony is ideal because it is smaller and not as intimidating as larger horses”. Stallion Wychwood Willy Wagtail from Port Augusta has been leased for the 2008 and 2009 breeding season. Of the four purebred mares, one has been donated and three are on loan. “The collaboration between the Connemara Pony Breeders Association of Australia and CSU’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences is a great promotion of the breed and there are numerous research opportunities that will not only benefit the breed in Australia but internationally, given the limited gene pool of the breed, ” said Mr Doughty.