Skyler Kelly
My name is Skyler Kelly and I am a student at Norwood High School. This summer I will learn about veterinary science during my Pinhead Internship at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.
My trip to Stillwater was quite interesting. I had my car packed and ready to drive the 15 hours to get there, but when I got as far as Gunnison, Colo., my transmission decided to go out. I took the risk of driving back to Montrose to pick up a borrowed vehicle, and left the next day to restart my journey.
My first day was very exciting. I went to the Equine Ranch and began to prep for two ultrasounds – or pregnancy checks – on two mares. I got to see each ovary and how big each follicle was, and I got to see the uterus which did not have an embryo in it. I also got to see if the mare was ready to be bred that day. One mare, a 12-year-old, was ready, so we “teased” the stallion until he was ready to mount the dummy and release his sperm into a tub for collection. After collecting the sperm, we prepped the mare and artificially inseminated (AI) her. We did this by inserting a catheter a little way into the mare’s cervix, then pushing in the sperm. It has been about five days and she is already showing signs of being pregnant. I also get to help take care of the horses and prepare for the state 4H horse show in Oklahoma City in mid-June.
Me putting a catheter into the cervix of a mare in preparation for artificial insemination.
I am enjoying my internship here at OSU and I am learning way more than I expected to in my first week!
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