Artificial Insemination (Chilled) Breeding Package

Artificial Insemination (AI) is the technique Artificial insemination (AI) is the technique used to manually deposit semen into the uterus of a mare at the optimal time in her oestrus cycle to achieve pregnancy. For artificial insemination with chilled semen, ideally, the mare will be inseminated within 24 hours prior to ovulation.

Checklist before insemination with your designated stallion:

  • Which are the days for semen collections of the stallion and postage?

  • Does the stallion’s semen chill and travel well?

  • How much notice must be given to the stallion owner/agent for semen collection and postage?

  • Pregnancy rates using stallion’s chilled semen.

Semen from stallions residing abroad must be accompanied by the appropriate health certification and packaging. If the health certification and packaging do not meet the obligations imposed by Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the veterinary surgeon is forced to detain the semen and liaise with the local authority to take non-compliance enforcement action, following the norms of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) import equine chilled semen facilitation scheme. If the semen fails to meet APHA requests, a “Failed Delivery Chilled Repeat Cycle” will be charged.

Starling Equine Vets does not hold any liability if the chilled semen is not delivered on the optimal time for insemination. Therefore, if the semen fails to be delivered, a “Failed Delivery Chilled Repeat Cycle” will be charged.

Fixed Price Breeding Package includes:

  • Breeding soundness examination.

  • Breeding management: consecutive palpations of the reproductive tract and ultrasound scans per rectum required to determine when it is the best time for breeding. And the following hormones administration.

  • Prostaglandin (pg): hormone used to shorten oestrus cycle of the mare, inducing oestrus (heat).

  • Ovulation inductor (Chorulon (hCG) or Deslorelin): hormone used to induce the mare’s ovulation.

  • Oxytocin: hormone stimulates the contraction of the uterus and helps to evacuate fluid from the uterus.

  • Endometrial/clitoral sample collection for culture and cytology, if needed.

  • Artificial insemination.

  • Evaluation of the semen supplied.

  • Post-insemination follow-up: palpations and scans necessary to check for ovulation and for post-breeding problem.

  • Caslick (vulvoplasty), if needed - procedure that improves the seal of the vulva (that acts as a barrier), reducing the chance of bacterial infection.

  • Pregnancy diagnosis at 14, 16 and 28 days.

  • Twin squeezing: if twin pregnancy detected at 14 - 16 days, reduction (squeezing) of one of the embryos is required.

  • Coordination with stallion owner or semen agent regarding the semen shipment.

This package does not include:

  • Any uterine treatment (e.g. uterine lavage, intrauterine antibiotic infusion, etc.).

  • Any other adjuvant treatment necessary to the listed previously (e.g. anti-inflammatories, Regumate, etc.)

  • Any laboratory fees.

  • Endometrial biopsy.

  • Subsequent pregnancy scans after 28 days (e.g. foetal sexing determination, placenta measurements, end of the breeding season pregnancy confirmation, etc.).

  • Sedation if deemed necessary for the safety of personnel and the mare.

  • All veterinary visits required to perform the above examinations. But we would do a 50% discount in visit fee every 3 visits.

  • Visits and treatments of any condition not associated directly with the mare’s breeding.

Pricing

The cost of the Fixed Price Breeding Package for chilled semen is £420 + VAT for the first cycle. If the mare fails to become pregnant, the subsequent cycles will be charged at £315 + VAT per cycle. The fee for “Failed Delivery Chilled Repeat Cycle” is £200 + VAT.

For further information, do not hesitate to contact us on 01473970393.

A stud service tailored to you and your horse

Every breeding programme is different. We take the time to understand your mare or stallion, previous breeding history, intended timescales and breeding goals before recommending an appropriate plan.

From routine reproductive examinations and pregnancy diagnosis to fertility investigations and emergency mare and foal care, our experienced stud vet provides knowledgeable and personal veterinary support for breeders and horse owners across Suffolk and Essex.

To discuss routine stud work or arrange a reproductive examination, please contact our team