The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is getting into the Internet auction scene, but with an entirely different reason and product than traditional Internet auction sites.
Instead of bobble-heads and computers, the LSU Vet School is auctioning off stallion mating periods.
The third annual Stallion Service Auction is designed to raise money for the expansion and renovation of the Hospital’s Equine Intensive Care Unit.
The auction, entirely done through http://equine.vetmed. lsu.edu, allows mare owners from around the country a chance to bid on breeding sessions with stallions.
The stallion breeding sessions were donated from stud owners. The Vet School receives all the proceeds from the auction.
Don Stemmans, a stallion service donator, said he has participated in the auction in the past and was happy to take part in it again.
This year, Stemmans is donating the services of Busterwaggley, a dark brown thoroughbred stallion.
“If it helps them and their cause, then it is good with me,” Stemmans said.
Jill Blackmer, a Vet professor, said the past two auctions have raised more than $50,000. Another $200,000 is needed for the Equine ICU expansion.
Interested mare owners can visit the Web site to obtain a bidding number as well as a username and password, Blackmer said.
The mare owners may then peruse through the descriptions of stallions and decide upon one on which to bid, Blackmer said.
Once the auction is finished, it is up to the winning mare owner and the stallion owner to designate a time and method for the service to take place.
The service session occurs either through artificial insemination or by a live cover.
“It is not nearly as fun for the horses [through artificial insemination],” Blackmer said.
The current Equine ICU, at the Vet Teaching Hospital on the corner of Skip Bertman Drive and River Road, has two stalls to treat injured and sick horses.
Blackmer said the two stalls are not enough, requiring sick horses to be housed with the regular hospital population.
The expansion of the ICU would make the area more centralized and would allow for easier monitoring and treatment of the patients, Blackmer said.
It will create room for 10 stalls as well as extra padding in every stall and additional IV and oxygen units.
The bidding began on Oct. 15 and will continue through Nov. 15.