Pre-Breeding Examination
Breeding your mare begins with a fertility health check where we use ultrasound to examine her ovaries and uterus. This will highlight any potential problems, and allow us to determine which stage of her oestrus cycle she is in. You will have already had pre entry Strangles and EVA blood health tests done for your mare before she arrives with us. We may then take clitoral or uterine swabs and or additional blood tests if necessary, to ensure she is free from infection.
In order to provide the best service possible, we have a detailed discussion with you about her history, health, current activity levels, any previous reproductive history and your breeding wishes, so we can offer the best advice on how to proceed. Each mare is different and every mare we see gets their own tailored plan.
Fresh, chilled and frozen semen – what should I use?
Whichever stallion or semen type you choose for your mare, AI allows us to breed your dream foal. Fresh semen (from stallions who are nearby) and chilled semen (from the UK and Europe), typically give the highest conception rates. We are fortunate to be located next door to Stallion AI Services who are the home to several world class stallions.
Chilled semen is commonly used across the UK and Europe and arrives ready for use the following day. When using fresh and chilled semen we scan the mare regularly, to identify the best time to inseminate her, which is within the 12-24 hours before she ovulates. We perform a repeat scan 24 hours after insemination to check that she has ovulated.
Frozen semen, allows access to stallions worldwide and can be stored for future use, making it a fantastic option for rare or in-demand stallions. Thawed frozen semen has a shorter life span than fresh or chilled, which means it must be inseminated soon after ovulation. This requires more intensive management, and mares typically require more ultrasound examinations, to ensure the correct timing of insemination.
If semen is to be imported from Europe or the rest of the world, it will need an import health certificate, which the stallion stud or agent will be able to arrange for you. We can guide you or act on your behalf, when communicating with the stallion owner, to gather key information such as his semen availability and his first cycle conception rates.
Following Insemination
Following insemination your mare will be scanned to confirm ovulation and to check for any post-breeding inflammation. If needed, additional treatment will be carried out at this stage. Your mare will then be scanned again at 14-16 days post ovulation to determine pregnancy. We advise additional scans at 28 and 42 days to monitor the pregnancy.
