Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994                   TAG: 9406290033
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

TECH PROFESSOR KICKED BY HORSE

John Dascanio, assistant professor of the department of large animal clinical sciences, was attempting to obtain a semen sample from a stallion when the mare being used to tantalize the stallion kicked him, Tech officials said.

"Unfortunately, this is just one of these quirks that can happen in the business," said Jeff Douglas, a Tech veterinary medicine spokesman.

Because of the potential for being kicked and injured, students aren't allowed to collect the samples, Douglas said. There's a significant level of risk associated with "a 1,000-pound animal being in a state of excitation," he said.

Dascanio was conscious and speaking Thursday after the 8:45 a.m. incident, Douglas said. He was released from Montgomery Regional Hospital after being treated for fractures, cuts and abrasions.

"It's quite a serious situation," Douglas said.

Douglas said the semen sample was being taken as part of a breeding program.

When taking a semen sample from a horse, the stallion is positioned near a collecting station and a "teaser mare" is brought near the stallion to excite it. Once the horse is in a position to give the sample, the mare is led away.

But Thursday, said university spokesman Larry Hincker, the mare apparently was not in heat herself and didn't appreciate being used.

Douglas said the mare kicked at Dascanio "just as she was in the process of being led away."

Douglas said Tech employees are injured by large farm animals about once a year.

"But in my memory, this is one of the most serious."