We thought
it might be helpful to all mare owners if we gave you an overview of what we have observed and experienced with the AI process.
Our discussions with clients and their experiences have reconfirmed what we already knew - live cover is the best way to breed
for fastest results. And believe it or not, it may be the cheapest way to go after all - even when you include
transportation and board.
Do you
have the "shipping blues?" This represents mare owners who pay unnecessary outrageous shipping fees
to get their mares pregnant from a distance.
We are
amazed that mare owners are paying thousands of dollars per mare to get their mares in foal via AI services.
And some pay that without successful results!
If this
is the case, you need to step back and determine what the underlying problem is and how you can stop your "shipping blues."
It
is important to identify the responsibilities of the stallion owner:
q Ship viable goods - at least 30% motility
q Goods must be clean of ALL debris
q Product concentration should be high
q Returns mare owner's calls ASAP
q Ship to mare owner via air freight and only via overnight service if air freight
is not available
q Inform mare owners of changes in stallion breeding schedule
As Mare Owner, your
responsibilities include:
q Ensure your mare is fertile and clean - a simple 48 - 72 hour culture by your
vet can help determine if your mare is dirty and requires medical attention.
q Provide the stallion owner heat cycle updates well in advance of requesting a
shipment so the stallion owner can map out their service schedule accordingly.
q Call as soon as you know your mare is in heat - your vet should be able to ultrasound
your mare and give you an update on her cycle and follicle size.
q Provide the stallion owner with your vet's name and telephone number so both parties
can discuss your mare's timing. Timing is EVERYTHING in breeding. Your vet should be very willing to service
you in this way.
q Keep your mare out of stressful training at least 10 days prior to breeding her
and at least 10 days after she is inseminated. This allows her to settle. When a mare is in training her
body temperature may reach high levels that could negatively impact her ability to get in foal or remain in foal.
q Typically only one shipment per mare heat cycle should be requested if your vet
has timed your mare's breeding cycle appropriately. A healthy stallion should be able to produce semen that lasts
at least 48 hours after insemination. So even if she does not ovulate within that time, there is a high probably
that she could get in foal.
q Have your vet insert an Ovuplant in your mare to ensure a timely ovulation.
HCG shots, if given to mares over time, has a tendency to have the mare build up antibodies which negates the shot.
q Stay in communication with the stallion owner and report problems immediately.
Many mare owners don't
have the advantage of living in an equine community such as Ocala where equine vets are plentiful and specialize in reproduction.
We experienced this challenge when we lived in other communities with limited resources. An inexperienced reproductive
vet can cause mare owners to spend breeding dollars needlessly. In this case, typically the stallion is named
as the problem.
As breeders, it is important
that we support one another and also take the time to education ourselves. By doing so, you can ask questions
of both the stallion owner and your vet and come to your own conclusions. Saving thousands of dollars should be
enough of a motive.
Here's to a successful
2008 breeding season. And by all means, give us a call if you want to discuss this in greater detail.
Gordon & Tina Calhoun,
Rassy Ltd.
