Cassy
Well-Known Member
As a novice to breeding horses I would value some advice. We are considering using frozen semen and wondered if anyone had used this method with success.
AI
- Thread starter Fleur100
- Start date
Fleur100
Well-Known Member
Just used it...now waiting for the 16 day scan. You need to check if your vet can handle frozen semen, not all of them can.
KarynK
Well-Known Member
Have used it twice 1st attempt is 3 this year and second is due in May.
Echo above it needs an experienced handler, careful thawing and precise insemination near ovulation, so more scans, better to go to a good centre if you are using Frozen.
Echo above it needs an experienced handler, careful thawing and precise insemination near ovulation, so more scans, better to go to a good centre if you are using Frozen.
KenRehill
Well-Known Member
Follow these rules for successful AI with frozen semen.
1 - Only use a well known repro vet who can show you proven success with frozen (don't believe any bullshit, ask for specific examples), if the vet doesn't have more than 200 results with frozen semen, with a better than, say, 60% success rate, don't touch them. There are a lot of bullshitters out there, who are jumping on the AI bandwagon. Be careful.
2 - Make sure that your mare is actually capable of getting pregnant. On out live foal guarantee agreement, we insist that mare owners have a series of test performed and signed off by the vet. the cost varies from £100 to £200, but saves a whole lot of money in the event that you discover the mare is infertile.
3 - ONLY USE SEMEN FROM A STALLION KNOWN FOR GREAT FERTILITY. There are a number of stallions which are whose semen is being sold in the UK, that have absolutely crap semen. Ask the agent for honest information regarding fertlity rates, post thaw motility etc. Then listen to other breeders, as this can be a good guide. At Z we have had a stallion go a little funny on his semen, as a result I have pulled it from the UK market until the semen is retested and proven good enough. Your stallion of choice might have crap semen. DON'T USE HIM, look for another similar stallion and get your mare pregnant first time.
The point is this. Most of you are one and two mare owners, and this breeding game is about dreams, desires and passion. The most important thing for you is to get a good foal on the ground, NOT TO LINE THE POCKETS OF VETS AND SEMEN AGENTS. So educate yourselves, ask questions from industry professionals. There's a reason why certain people and organisations have good reputations, you should search them out and use them, or pick their brains.
1 - Only use a well known repro vet who can show you proven success with frozen (don't believe any bullshit, ask for specific examples), if the vet doesn't have more than 200 results with frozen semen, with a better than, say, 60% success rate, don't touch them. There are a lot of bullshitters out there, who are jumping on the AI bandwagon. Be careful.
2 - Make sure that your mare is actually capable of getting pregnant. On out live foal guarantee agreement, we insist that mare owners have a series of test performed and signed off by the vet. the cost varies from £100 to £200, but saves a whole lot of money in the event that you discover the mare is infertile.
3 - ONLY USE SEMEN FROM A STALLION KNOWN FOR GREAT FERTILITY. There are a number of stallions which are whose semen is being sold in the UK, that have absolutely crap semen. Ask the agent for honest information regarding fertlity rates, post thaw motility etc. Then listen to other breeders, as this can be a good guide. At Z we have had a stallion go a little funny on his semen, as a result I have pulled it from the UK market until the semen is retested and proven good enough. Your stallion of choice might have crap semen. DON'T USE HIM, look for another similar stallion and get your mare pregnant first time.
The point is this. Most of you are one and two mare owners, and this breeding game is about dreams, desires and passion. The most important thing for you is to get a good foal on the ground, NOT TO LINE THE POCKETS OF VETS AND SEMEN AGENTS. So educate yourselves, ask questions from industry professionals. There's a reason why certain people and organisations have good reputations, you should search them out and use them, or pick their brains.
maestro
Well-Known Member
Ken is right, frozen gets bad press through lack of knowledge often from vets themselves. Tullis Matson is the person to talk to and he often can point you in the right direction for vets if you are too far away to use their set up.
EliteStallions
Member
If you email me I will send you an information sheet re this which I produced for local vets talk, this may help !!lisaniemy@btinternet.com
AndyPandy
Well-Known Member
I've got a little write up on one of the best protocols for insemination with frozen semen on the website...
http://equinereproduction.co.uk/articles/frozensemenAI.html
Also, read and re-read Ken's post... all very important
http://equinereproduction.co.uk/articles/frozensemenAI.html
Also, read and re-read Ken's post... all very important
Cassy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the advice. In the end we opted for chilled semen and will be taking mare back for 15 day scan next week. So fingers crossed she is in foal. Found very good stud with very knowledgeable vet who uses up to date techniques.