This is the second edition of a manual that was originally published in 2018, titled Manual of Methods for Preservation of Valuable Equine Genetics in Live Animals and Postmortem (to view the first edition, use the scroll bar on the right to scroll past this version). Along with a new title, a few other changes have been made to improve the manual’s usefulness as a go-to resource for conserving equine genetic diversity.

Click here to download the PDF


Genetic preservation is an important component of modern conservation strategies. In this 2nd edition manual, Texas A&M University, University of Pennsylvania and The Livestock Conservancy provide updated instructions for preservation of genetic materials from horses and donkeys. Collection and storage of sperm, eggs, embryos and body tissues can preserve genetic resources for decades.

The manual is being widely promoted among equine health and conservation organizations.

Bound copies of the 67-page resource is also available at the Livestock Conservancy’s online store.

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“It is important that we take advantage of the latest tools and technologies to preserve our native equine breeds. This manual is the gateway for owners and veterinarians in understanding what is available and how to take advantage of new methods in order to preserve vital genetic diversity for endangered breeds.”

Tullis Matson
Trustee, Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Managing Director, Stallion AI Services / Cryogenetics

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“New discoveries in genetic technology offer almost unimaginable promise in ways to preserve the genetic diversity of living organisms and have a special place in the effort to save endangered animals. However, if we do not have the genetic tissues of the organisms to apply these new genomic technologies then the battle is lost. This manual by Drs. Hinrichs and Couch provides the information that the people in the field or clinics have long needed to preserve biological materials that could make the difference in whether or not a species or breed avoids extinction and sticks around to enrich the lives of humanity. A companion like this has long been needed and to get a volume of this quality by true experts is a unique blessing.”

Dr. E. Gus Cothran
Professor Emeritus
Texas A&M University

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“Horse conservation is one of the most difficult breed conservation challenges that we face at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Behind all effective breed conservation is reproduction, because without reproduction there is no next generation. This manual offers key reproductive tools for horse breeders. It especially helps to assure that rare horses with essential genetics have multiple avenues for participation in effective breed conservation. If these techniques are broadly used, the challenges facing horse breeds will have an effective and practical solution.”

Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg
Livestock Conservancy Technical Advisor
Professor Pathology/Genetics
Virginia Tech University