Frozen semen

[Deli]

How easy is it to get a mare in foal using frozen?

I know that the mare will need to go to stud, but how long for? How much will this cost? Is the success greatly reduced?

Or do I just look for a stallion with fresh/chilled semen?

 

[HandTS]

I used frozen semen with my older mare, no problems, check with your vet as they can advise you if they offer an AI service, cost difference between live cover and AI was approx £300.

 

[Alec Swan]

Right, I've been where you are, and learned costly lessons.

1. Not all horses produce semen which freezes well. So....

2. At the storage facilities, which is generally a commercial set up, you request a WRITTEN post thaw report. Out of every batch (20-50 doses?) they will thaw one dose, and that will stand for that particular batch. Further batches will produce a further report, if you see what I mean. Twemlowes are trustworthy and will give you an honest report, should they be your chosen supplier.

There are those horses which the owners have clearly stated, don't produce semen which freezes successfully. There are those who act as agents, for those horses, who still own or promote the frozen semen from a particular horse, without warning the prospective mare owner of the difficulties.

NEVER buy semen which is frozen, without either, having full trust in the supplier, or demanding a post thaw report. 40% is considered to be good, so I'm told.

3. Freezing is a curious system, it seems to me. Every time that a straw is removed from a tank, for even a few seconds, there is the potential, for damage, so it isn't always the fault of the stallion.

4. There is on here an experienced stud farm owner, who will proudly tell you that her success rate with frozen semen is the same as with chilled and fresh, and the reason for that, as many other things, is that a focused and committed approach is vital. If she doesn't respond to this thread, pm me and I'll head you in her direction.

Alec.

 

[Spring Feather]

I use frozen semen a lot. I have my own nitrogen tank so it goes with me when I'm taking a mare to be inseminated. My mares all live at home and only go to the repro clinic to be inseminated so are only ever there for 2-3 days maximum. With frozen semen they need to be scanned every 6 hours whereas with fresh chilled semen they only need to be scanned every 12 hours. Frozen is a costly way to do it but it is also a great way to do it as you always have the semen on-hand for whenever you need it. Some mares do not read the manual as to how quickly/slowly they will ovulate. When breeding fresh, AI is usually performed prior to ovulation (sometimes a dose after as well), with frozen we AI after ovulation. I never breed frozen with only one dose in the tank (even though I usually only need one dose).

You should always ask other breeders who have bred to the stallion of your choice about success rates for breeding frozen. Some semen does not freeze well.

The cost is higher to breed frozen as you will need more scans. I pay per procedure but in the UK I know there are places who will give you a 'package' where you just pay the set fee and all procedures that need doing will be done to try to get your mare pregnant.

It helps greatly if you know your mare. Breeding history on what size follicle she ovulates at can save you money in keep and for unnecessary scans at the repro facility (if you're paying as you go).