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BREED ING
SPRING 2014 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
4
Establish the suitability of
your mare for
breeding
You should discuss this matter with your
veterinary surgeon. A breeding plan can be
individually tailored to your mare. The age
of the mare and her previous breeding history
are very important. Fertility declines with age.
Mares that have had a foal at a young age
sustain good fertility until later in life. Ideally
maiden mares being inseminated with frozen
semen for the first time, should be less than
ten years old.
Your veterinary surgeon will be able to
perform a clinical examination on your mare
including ultrasonography of the uterus and
ovaries, observation of the cervix by means
of a speculum and examination of the
conformation of the vulva and anus. A
Caslick's suture may be required in some
older mares. This is a relatively simple surgical
procedure performed with the mare standing
under local anaesthesic. This improves vulval
conformation and helps prevent the sucking
in of air and contamination from faeces.
Pre-breeding cervical swabbing and blood
sampling for potential infection can be done
at this time. If breeding was unsuccessful
last season your veterinary surgeon may
choose to take an endometrial biopsy from
the mare. This is another relatively simple
procedure whereby a small sample of the
lining of the uterus is examined under the
microscope. This helps identify degeneration
of the uterus which may reduce the chance
of successful pregnancy.
Ensure semen arrives with
the correct paperwork
When talking to stallion owners/frozen semen
agents, ensure that the semen will arrive with
the relevant documents. The HBLB Codes of
Practice detail the necessary labelling of
semen containers and the health certificates
that should accompany any transported
chilled/frozen semen.
If this labelling and certification is incomplete
or not present the identification, quality and
disease free status of the semen cannot
be guaranteed.
Establish the availability and suitability
of the stallion/semen
Establish the breeding history of the stallion
that you propose to use. Ensure that his
fertility has been proven by successful
pregnancies. Some stallions have a
competition schedule which limits their
availability for covering mares and
collecting semen for AI. This needs to
be discussed in advance to prevent
disappointment. If you are planning to
use AI then check the type of semen
available (this will be chilled or frozen).
The pre-insemination protocol and timing
of insemination is more critical with frozen
semen. Enquire as to the progressive
motility of the semen (Figure 1). Discuss
all these facts with your vet. Some studs
cannot collect semen over weekends due
to staffing limitations or are restricted by
the terms of a courier service. Beware
of bank holidays which can again affect
the logistics of semen collection and
transportation. These are different for
continental Europe so bare this in mind
if ordering chilled semen from overseas.
Stallion owners need as much notice
as possible regarding the potential
requirement of semen. Frozen semen
can be sent to your veterinary surgeon
well in advance and stored in a liquid
nitrogen holding tank (Figure 2) ready
for insemination. The timing of insemination
relative to ovulation is more critical with
frozen semen than chilled or natural
mating. Good communication is essential.
Follow the Horserace
Betting Levy Board (HBLB)
Codes of Practice 2014
A copy of this document should be
obtained from the HBLB by all mare
and stallion owners via the website
www.hblb.org.uk
This booklet sets out the voluntary
recommendations to help breeders, in
conjunction with their veterinary surgeons,
to prevent and control specific diseases in
all breeds of horses and ponies. The codes
describe screening methods to detect
important venereal diseases, including
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) and Equine
Viral Arteritis (EVA), by means of pre-breeding
swabbing and blood sampling respectively.
When talking to stallion owners or agents
supplying semen ensure that they comply
with the standards set out in this document.
Breeding your own foal can
be hugely rewarding. Whilst
this can seem both daunting
and complex, your veterinary
surgeon will be pleased to
answer your questions and
guide you through the process.
In summary...
Figure 1
Assessment of semen is an essential part of
the insemination process
Figure 2
Frozen semen is stored prior to insemination
in a liquid nitrogen tank