Venereal infectious diseases (sexually transmitted diseases) are a significant concern in equine reproduction, as they can lead to considerable economic losses through infertility, pregnancy loss, or widespread outbreaks within breeding populations. Routine testing for venereal diseases is therefore essential to maintain reproductive health and prevent the spread of infections. Most stud farms adhere to the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) Code of Practice, a comprehensive set of guidelines designed to control and prevent these diseases.

Which pre-breeding health tests are necessary?

• Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)

• Taylorella equigenitalis

• Klebsiella pneumoniae

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

• Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA)
  

How to test?

After 1st January each year and before the mare is covered:

• Clitoral swab: 1 swab for CEM, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa.

• Endometrial swab: 1 swab taken while the mare is in oestrus for CEM, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. If the mare is covered and does not become pregnant, this test must be repeated for the latter two organisms before subsequent cover.

• EVA blood test: 2 blood tests, with the second test taken no more than 30 days before the first cover. If the mare is covered and does not become pregnant, this test must be repeated if not performed within 30 days of subsequent cover.

• EIA blood test: 1 blood test.

Additional testing may be necessary if the mare changes stallion, stallion’s premises or if the mare is considered high-risk.

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 CEM, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa.

• Blood sample collection for one EIA and two EVA testing.

• All intrauterine treatments necessary: antibiotics and lavages.

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

• All pregnancy diagnosis until 1st October.

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

• All veterinary visits required to perform the above examinations and procedures.

This package DOES NOT include:

• Any treatment related to venereal pathogens identified on pre-breeding testing.

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

• Any laboratory fees.

• Endometrial biopsy.

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

• Visits and treatments for conditions not directly associated directly with the mare’s breeding.

The cost of the Fixed Price Breeding Package is £750 + VAT.