AI versus Natural

[Lightning]

I would like to breed from two mares this year and have thought about doing it the AI option. There are pro's and con's for doing both AI and Natural but wanted to gather people's thoughts.

One o fthe worry is the expense as they would need to go to the vets who would then scan daily until in season to insemenate them both.

What are the success rates and would it be cheaper actually taking them to stud, which is some 130miles away.

help!?

 

[sallyf]

If you can get your vets to do a vets package that is sensibley priced then AI at home is a good option as you will still have to pay travel to and from the stud ,keep fees and vets fees while there.
Check out the stallions you want to use for fertility and make sure that they will be able to provide it when you need it.
Sometimes studs use a live mare to cover and may not have one in season to jump.
All things to think about.
We send out quite alot of fresh and chilled semen and have very few probs although if you are only 130 miles away i would recomend fresh as it is better.
Also with chilled being sent there is a problem with delivery over weekends.
As far as fertility goes if the stallion is proven as having good fertility with fresh/chilled semen then conception rates are generally good.

 

[airedale]

If your mares don't show readily in season then you can use regumate to better predict/control their season for AI
AI has better control of disease for both mare and stallion as well

I'd go for AI every time and have 3 foals by that route to show for it without any problems - but you must make sure that the motility of the stallion is good for chilled semen (not all are) and that they will provide semen collected daily if necessary.

 

[mat]

I would also opt for AI as it reduces the risk not only for disease, but also actual physical damage to the mare or stallion.

the scanning of the mare need only start when she first shows in season, and the vet the scans to see how big the folicle is.

If it is done properly, the AI method can be just as, if not more successful than a natural covering.