BREEDING FOR EXCELLENCE – The benefits of freezing stallion semen

Breeding Webinar Series – No. 1

Questions taken from a Q&A Session during a recorded webinar on Wednesday, 25th September with West Kington Stud Manager, Harry Thirlby, B&W Equine Reproduction Vets, Chris Shepherd BVSc MRCVS and Anna Mitchell BVM&S DACT MRCVS and guest speaker, International Event Rider, Nick Gauntlett.

Q1: How do you select a mare to be a good candidate for frozen semen?

A: (Chris Shepherd) We’re sometimes a little bit selective when we’re working with frozen semen or advising clients which mares to use. We try to avoid so-called ‘problem’ mares, who’ve had issues getting in foal in previous years. Although conception rates with frozen semen are equally as good as chilled, if not better (and the statistics confirm that), we have to admit that there are various reasons why, for problem mares, it can be more useful to use fresh semen (i.e. semen collected and inseminated into the mare within an hour or two). So, as far as our selection goes for suitable candidates for frozen semen, mares of an appropriate age and with an appropriate breeding history is really what we’re looking for.

 

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