MAKING THE MOST OF FROZEN SEMEN
John Hyland,
Avenel Equine Veterinary Surgery
So you went to the Olympics and saw how those magnificent German and Dutch Warmbloods performed. And now you want to use frozen semen on your mare. Simple enough. Go to a semen distributor, get your vet to stick it in your mare and wait for the foal. Wrong!
Using frozen semen is not as simple as it sounds. There are several complicating aspects and before you commit your time and money to a program, there are some things you need to think about.
First, horse semen does not freeze as well as bull semen.
This means that semen quality varies between stallions and even on a day to day basis for the same stallion. Whether this is a function of the freezing procedures or the semen itself is hard to say.
We know very little about the damage that occurs to spermatozoa as a result of the freezing process. Suffice to say that fertility results using frozen semen are probably half one would expect using fresh or chilled semen.
This is not to say that it is all doom and gloom. There are many satisfied customers who are probably looking over the fence at a frozen semen foal as you read this article. And there are things you can do as a mare owner to maximize your mare’s chances of producing a frozen semen foal.
1. Choosing the stallion
There are many beautiful stallions presented for the buyer to select. Obviously, you want a stallion with performance credentials. Your semen distributor can supply you with details of performance and importantly, fertility results of the nominated horse.
There is not much point in selecting a stallion with low fertility results, unless there is a very good reason to do so. Remember, you pay for semen, not for pregnancy. Most stallions are supplied in 3-insemination lots.
If you are fortunate enough to get a pregnancy to the first or second dose, most distributors allow you to use the remaining doses without penalty. Therefore, theoretically, you could produce three foals for the price of one. However, if your mare fails to conceive, you’ve lost your money. It is worthwhile doing your homework and choosing a stallion that is more likely to get you a foal.
2. Choosing your mare
Next to choosing your stallion, choosing your mare is the most important factor in maximizing your chances of obtaining a foal. Healthy, younger mares are more likely to conceive and carry a foal to frozen semen. If the mare has a history of good fertility to frozen semen so much the better. Otherwise, choosing proven breeders to natural service or chilled semen is the next best option.
We are occasionally asked to work on mares that are over 20 years of age. This is really pushing nature to the limit, and we may want to carry out diagnostic tests and closely examine her breeding history before placing the mare into our frozen semen program.
Your mare should be in good body condition, without being too fat. Sometimes basic health considerations can be overlooked. It is important that teeth and feet are well maintained to avoid adding to the stress of a new environment. Ensure that her vaccinations are current and that her worming treatments are regular and up-to-date.
Social interactions can be important for some mares. Let your veterinarian know if your mare is at the top or bottom of the pecking order. If the mares are kept in a group at the AI centre, their position in the social hierarchy may affect their well-being, causing increased stress and potential infertility. It is therefore important to provide your veterinarian with this information so he or she can ensure your mare receives appropriate attention.
Your mare should be cycling normally at the time she is presented to the AI Centre. In southern Australia some mares cycle from around August/September. However, it is not until November/December that most mares undergo regular cyclicity. Therefore, we do not recommend that clients present mares for frozen AI before November.
It is helpful to know when the mare last showed oestrus. The mare can be presented to the AI Centre at the time of the next oestrus, allowing your veterinarian time to carry out any diagnostic tests prior to insemination. Sometimes mares may need to undergo treatment before insemination. Your veterinarian will discuss this with you and provide you with a number of options and the approximate cost of each.
Remember too, that there are certain conformational defects that are considered to be hereditary. Off-set knees, parrot mouth and some other angular limb deformities are thought to be passed through the dam to the foal. It is wise to select a mare with straight legs if you want a foal that is conformationally correct.
3. Choosing your AI Centre
Major AI centres in Australia are staffed by veterinarians on a full-time or part-time basis. Some have trained AI technicians instead of veterinarians. All these centres strive to offer the best possible service. Most are happy to receive visits and we invite all our potential clients to come and look around the facilities, meet the staff and have a cup of tea, before committing themselves to anything. During these visits you can discuss fees and the potential cost of the AI program.
It is essential that you ensure, as far is possible, that you present your mare in peak condition, to assist your veterinarian or AI technician to provide the result you want - a healthy, bouncing foal, with good legs and a nice temperament. Good luck in your endeavours.