Artificial Insemination (AI) greatly increases your possible choice of stallion. You
can choose a stallion from anywhere in the UK or abroad without having to travel
your mare great distances. Many popular stallions are only available by AI, since this
method decreases the risk to the stallion. AI has success rates comparable to natural
service, and the detailed veterinary attention mares receive means those with fertility
problems may be more likely to conceive.
Insemination Procedure
The mare needs to come to us when she is just coming into season. If your mare
shows in season at home this is easy to plan. If she does not show or you are not sure,
we may need to scan her to tell what stage she is at in her cycle.
Once at the stud the mare’s ovaries will be scanned to determine the size of any
follicles on them. Growth of the follicles will be monitored closely until one follicle
reaches approximately 35 millimetres in diameter.
Most mares will receive at least one washout – that is a dose of antibiotic placed in the uterus
to help prevent infection. Some mares are prone to fluid pooling in the uterus after
insemination and they may require additional treatment.
Chilled Semen
Semen is collected from the stallion, mixed with an extender and then placed in an
insulated box containing icepacks in order to keep it cool during transport. Chilled
semen needs to go from the stallion to inside the mare within twenty-four hours. Any
longer than this and it’s fertility will decline sharply. This means that semen is
ordered the day before it is needed – ideally the mare is examined early in the
morning, it is confirmed that she has a good size follicle, semen is ordered for next
day delivery by overnight courier, and the mare is given the drug to help ensure
ovulation at the optimum time.
The chief drawback to this method is that courier services will not do overnight
deliveries at the weekend. In practice this means that semen may only be available
from Tuesday to Friday. Mares’ ovaries do not operate on a four day week and this
can make timing ovulation so it does not fall at a weekend a challenge.
If the stallion is close by, it may be possible for the owner to drive and pick the semen
up – with the advantage that semen can be inseminated on the same day as it is
collected.
Pregnancy Testing
The first pregnancy scan is done on either the fifteenth or sixteenth day after
insemination. The timing of this is extremely important because if your mare has
twins, one has to be pinched out before seventeen days of age. A second scan is done
between twenty-five and thirty days to check the pregnancy and identify a healthy
heartbeat. A third scan at approximately forty days is advised.
Once she has been inseminated and ‘checked off’, your mare can either go home until
the time for pregnancy scanning, or remain at the stud. However if she returns home
you will have to pay for a visit and the cost of the pregnancy scan. We would advise
that mares remain at stud at least for the first scan, because if they are not in foal a
second insemination may be necessary very shortly after scanning.
Notification – Full co-operation between the mare owner, the Stud and the Veterinary
Surgeon carrying out the AI is essential. It is important that the Stud is kept informed of the
mares progress and is informed as soon as the mare comes into season. Under normal
circumstances semen ordered by 11am will be delivered by 1pm the next day excluding Sun
& Mon deliveries.
Transport/Semen availability – Unless collection is being arranged by yourselves, semen
will be sent by overnight delivery. The cost of this service for delivery Tuesday to Friday is
included in the fees below, Saturday delivery is £10 extra. It should be noted that there is no
delivery by overnight companies Sunday or Monday therefore there would be an additional
cost if semen is required on these days which would have to be met by the mare owner.
Quotes for same day delivery can be obtained but again costs would be met by the mare owner.
The fees below include 3 days Equitainer hire, it is the responsibility of the mare owner to
return the Equitainer by recorded delivery within this time. Any extra days will be charged at
£15 per day and any lost or damaged will be charged to the mare owner.
We accept no responsibility whatsoever for delays or the non delivery of semen due to
unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
Pregnancy Diagnosis – Further semen will be sent on receipt of a veterinary certificate
stating that the mare is not in foal.
Fees –
The Stud Fee + £25 to cover the hire of the Equitainer, first collection of semen & delivery
must be paid before any Semen will be released. All fees are NFFR. If subsequent semen is
required £50 is payable
The booking fee is non returnable unless a veterinary certificate is supplied stating a
veterinary reason for the nomination not to be taken.
Any outstanding accounts not settled by 1st October will forfeit the issuing of service
certificates of eligibility for a free return.
Booking Fee – A £75 Booking fee is required to secure a Nomination.