A Dream Come True: Hassinger Equine Reproduction Center Offers High-End, Full-Service Show Horse Care

By Delores Kuhlwein

Imagine a place where you can leave your invaluable show horse in the hands of other horsemen who understand exactly what you expect.

This is a place where your horse can access cutting edge breeding services accompanied by high-end care that includes grooming, fitness and conditioning, with round-the-clock care and access to a jaw-dropping facility.

Hassinger Farm, nestled in the Sandhills of North Carolina, is years in the making for Dr. James and Amy Hassinger as a facility catering to equine athletes.  The stunning farm is on 65 acres and includes large grass derby fields, shaded grass paddocks, large stalls, access to trails, a 5/8 mile racetrack, and an Olympic-size show arena.

More than just a pretty face, however, Hassinger Farm is quickly becoming the go-to for show horse breeders everywhere as its brand-new reproduction center puts the icing on the cake for their already amazing facility. The new Hassinger Equine Reproduction Center at the farm, almost at completion at the time of publication, welcomes both Quarter Horses and Warmbloods, currently standing multiple world champion AQHA/APHA stallion, No Doubt This Is Hot, and hunter warmblood derby stallions Cadouch Z and Sir Sandro.

“Hassinger Equine Reproduction Center is different than a typical facility,” explains owner Amy Hassinger.  “It’s tailored just for the show horse that is being bred.”

The difference, she explains, is their focus on the show horse as a full-service facility – one that allows a show horse to visit the facility for breeding purposes with the ability to immediately return to the show ring.

“We offer cutting edge breeding services for show horses,” says Amy.  “We understand the commitment they require and the level of detail their owners expect.  We have the ability to keep them fit and conditioned in the manner they are accustomed to, utilizing modern equipment such as underwater treadmills, saltwater spas, a walker with rubber footing, and the ability to longe in an indoor area. We also have staff living here for 24/7 care.”

The beauty of the full service offered, she says, is that after being bred, groomed, and cared for as show horses, the mares can be returned to the owner ready for the show ring.

Likewise, they offer the same high-end services for stallions. “Here at this facility,” says Amy, “a Quarter Horse sire can pop in here to be collected, and we understand how to handle him in such a way as to not change their personality or confuse or upset them so they can continue competing.  They can be collected in the morning and get a schooling ride in the afternoon.”

If they’re here for 30 days, or between two major shows, she says, they’re not going to lose ground.  “Whether they’re hunters or pleasure horses, we keep the stallions in a program, just like the mares.”

Cutting Edge, Modern Breeding In Good Hands

Part of their strategy as they built the breeding lab from the ground up includes the expertise of Dr. Chelsea Sinclair, Breeding and Stallion Manager.

With a diverse background as a faculty member at Clemson University’s Animal and Veterinary Sciences department, as well as hands-on knowledge as an accomplished breeder, competitor, and stallion owner/manager, Chelsea Sinclair also holds an MS and PhD in equine reproduction.

“Our goals include offering embryo services, semen freezing, cooled fresh semen breeding, and the possibility of ICSI next year,” Chelsea explains.  Not only is the entire facility jaw-droppingly beautiful, she says, but it’s designed with safety and function in mind.  “This whole facility is designed to cater to each individual horse.  We know with stallions, they have their preferences, and it’s nice to have the staff and structure in place for them.”

She adds, “We have Dr Hassinger here if the horse needs any kind of lameness work, too; he has a wealth of expertise in that area. Hassinger Farm is truly a one stop shop for the performance horse.”

Though she says it was a big change to leave the university, the professionalism of the Hassingers made it that much easier to make the jump.  “I love how diversified their business is, and their reputation of being stand-up, good people has been so for decades.  They also do a lot on the biomedical side, so the prospect of that level of research as well was appealing.”

Biomedical Research

What Chelsea’s referring to is one of Hassinger’s sister companies, Hassinger Biomedical, which was instrumental in bringing the ProVet system to market.  “We’re utilizing the benefits of that sale to build this center and we are working on a new device to concentrate work on spermatozoa cells,” says Amy. “We’re in the formative stages of the device and the hope is for it to be available globally for next breeding season. The lab is working with us to research this device, and to bring to market other innovations. Here we’re able to bring together the practical knowledge of the veterinarian with the scientific knowledge of the PhD.”

Mobile Hospital

Since the Hassinger name is also associated with their Equine Sports Medicine mobile unit at shows, Amy explains that some of the breeding services can be offered on the road at the mobile hospital.  “There are specific services we can offer at the mobile hospital, such as breeding mares and flushing embryos.”

Owner Involvement

Last but not least, Amy emphasizes that along with providing excellent horse care, their wish is for mare and stallion owners to be part of the breeding experience. Aligned with that philosophy is their planned open house scheduled for the end of breeding season.

“We hope to schedule it in conjunction with the Tarheel Triple Classic, since we’re only 30 minutes south of the facility,” Amy says.  “We want everyone to see our state of the art lab, see the facility, meet the staff, and have the opportunity to feel at home and comfortable.”

For more information on Hassinger Equine Reproduction Center, visit www.hassingerequineservice.com, and find “Hassinger Equine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation” on Facebook for the latest updates.