There are three methods available for breeding horses: natural cover, artificial insemination (AI) & embryo transfer.
Natural cover
This is the most obvious method, where the stallion mounts the mare and can be achieved by allowing the stallion to run with the mare(s) or the covering can be controlled, with the stallion being led to a restrained mare. Although natural cover is a highly successful technique, there is an inherent risk of injury to the stallion, mare and personnel involved.
Artificial Insemination (AI)
is a technique where a semen sample is collected from a stallion and then placed directly into the uterus of the mare without the stallion having to cover the mare. The semen can be fresh, chilled or frozen.
Advantages of AI
1] Safety for all concerned. Stallions 'on a mission' can be a handful! Equally, not all mares like being covered and this can be dangerous for the handler as well as the stallion.
2] There is no need for the mare to travel. Not all horses travel well and some can be difficult to load. With AI distance becomes irrelevant and there are no livery fees to budget for.
3] Disease risks are much reduced as the stallion should be tested annually for CEM, EVA & EIA.
4] Mares with back or hindquarter injuries can be put in foal by AI even when they can't be covered naturally.
5] As distance is no object, there is a greater choice of stallions.
6] The quality of the semen can be objectively measured before insemination.
Disadvantages of AI
1] Not all breed societies allow AI ( but the PRE can be bred via AI). Some allow AI if the mare and stallion are on the same premises at the time of collection and insemination.
2] Greater veterinary input is required to check the mare is ready to inseminate, especially if frozen semen is to be used. The cost of this should be discussed with your veterinary surgeon as many Practices have special 'packages' for stud work.
3] There is no regulatory standard for semen quality and unless the sample is accompanied by a certificate of quality assurance, the semen could be from a sub-fertile stallion or have been poorly assessed or processed.
Fresh, chilled or frozen?
When fresh semen is used, the mare and stallion are on the same premises and the mare is inseminated immediately after the semen is collected from the stallion. If the semen has to travel or there is going to be a delay between the collection and the insemination, the semen must be either chilled or frozen in order to maintain its viability. Chilled semen usually lasts about 48hrs and can sent through the post for next-day delivery. Frozen semen lasts indefinitely as long as it is stored in liquid nitrogen, and can be sent internationally, subject to import regulations.
When ever AI is used, veterinary input is required so that the the insemination can take place close to the time of ovulation.
Embryo transfer
The cycles of two mares are synchronised and the donor mare is inseminated. After 9 days the mare is flushed to retrieve the embryo, which is transferred into the recipient mare who then carries the pregnancy to term. For PREs, regulations insist that the donor mare must be calificado graded.
Natural cover
This is the most obvious method, where the stallion mounts the mare and can be achieved by allowing the stallion to run with the mare(s) or the covering can be controlled, with the stallion being led to a restrained mare. Although natural cover is a highly successful technique, there is an inherent risk of injury to the stallion, mare and personnel involved.
Artificial Insemination (AI)
is a technique where a semen sample is collected from a stallion and then placed directly into the uterus of the mare without the stallion having to cover the mare. The semen can be fresh, chilled or frozen.
Advantages of AI
1] Safety for all concerned. Stallions 'on a mission' can be a handful! Equally, not all mares like being covered and this can be dangerous for the handler as well as the stallion.
2] There is no need for the mare to travel. Not all horses travel well and some can be difficult to load. With AI distance becomes irrelevant and there are no livery fees to budget for.
3] Disease risks are much reduced as the stallion should be tested annually for CEM, EVA & EIA.
4] Mares with back or hindquarter injuries can be put in foal by AI even when they can't be covered naturally.
5] As distance is no object, there is a greater choice of stallions.
6] The quality of the semen can be objectively measured before insemination.
Disadvantages of AI
1] Not all breed societies allow AI ( but the PRE can be bred via AI). Some allow AI if the mare and stallion are on the same premises at the time of collection and insemination.
2] Greater veterinary input is required to check the mare is ready to inseminate, especially if frozen semen is to be used. The cost of this should be discussed with your veterinary surgeon as many Practices have special 'packages' for stud work.
3] There is no regulatory standard for semen quality and unless the sample is accompanied by a certificate of quality assurance, the semen could be from a sub-fertile stallion or have been poorly assessed or processed.
Fresh, chilled or frozen?
When fresh semen is used, the mare and stallion are on the same premises and the mare is inseminated immediately after the semen is collected from the stallion. If the semen has to travel or there is going to be a delay between the collection and the insemination, the semen must be either chilled or frozen in order to maintain its viability. Chilled semen usually lasts about 48hrs and can sent through the post for next-day delivery. Frozen semen lasts indefinitely as long as it is stored in liquid nitrogen, and can be sent internationally, subject to import regulations.
When ever AI is used, veterinary input is required so that the the insemination can take place close to the time of ovulation.
Embryo transfer
The cycles of two mares are synchronised and the donor mare is inseminated. After 9 days the mare is flushed to retrieve the embryo, which is transferred into the recipient mare who then carries the pregnancy to term. For PREs, regulations insist that the donor mare must be calificado graded.