Preparation for the season
It is recommended that a stallion is collected at least 3 times before a sample is sent for insemination. The collections aim at getting your stallion used to the procedure & ensuring that the procedure is familiar to him on the day a sample is required.
We recommend that you have your stallion serve a mare or be collected at least 5 times in the weeks before we collect him. The reason for this is to allow any aged sperm in the stallion's storage area the vas deferens to be passed
For "first time stallions" we then will organise an appointment to collect your stallion. Depending on your stallion's performance we will collect from him at least twice as practice runs in preparation for the season.
All semen collections are done at the Mid North Coast Equine Centre where the resident "jump" mare is used for collections. Our jump mare "Tatiana" is named after the other famous Australian Jump Mare Tatiana Gregoriava! The mare has had her ovaries chemically "shut down" & is stimulated daily during breeding season with oestrogen injections so that she is a willing participant.
Stallion owners responsibilities
The Stud master has several important areas of responsibilities. Your client will have spent considerable time & money preparing a mare & will expect a sample the day that the mare is ready to inseminate. To ensure that this is possible it is important that both the vet & the stud are ready to collect & get a satisfactory sample to the freight organisation in time for overnight delivery.
The most important & most difficult part of the process will be to have a mare in season to act as a mount for collection. The Mid North Coast Equine Centre has its own mare for collections who is in season every day to be ready for collections.
If the horse is to be collected by our staff it is essential that the staff have been notified by the stallion owner of when the likely collection will take place. This means that we have received a “stallion collection booking form” and a phone call before the mare is programmed. It is also essential that the stallion owners are available to transport the stallion in to the Equine Centre for collection on the required day.
It is essential that if a stud is to take bookings for AI that they are able to provide the semen when needed. Mare owners spend a minimum of $400 & often up to $1000 getting a mare ready to inseminate so efficiency on the stallions stud is essential.
Mare owners responsibilities
It is the mare owner who is normally responsible for the collection fee. This veterinary clinic charges $250 per collection plus freight charges.
It is expected that we receive payment before the semen leaves the practice. This can be achieved by credit card payment over the phone or by cheque payment in advance.
A veterinarian will be involved in the preparation of the mare. It is important that the veterinarian that is preparing the mare understand the constraints of freight that affect the semen shipment so that the mare is timed to suit. We are able to freight semen overnight to most places in Australia as long as the courier can have the package by 1.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. Friday, Saturday & Sunday dispatch needs to be organsied in advance as these days are often difficult for many freight organisations.
It is essential that the freight route is organised well in advance so that the process goes smoothly on the day when the semen is sent.
The mare's preparation for insemination should be planned in advance so that we are notified of the likely dates for collection. This is important for the veterinary staff & the stud so that everyone is adequately prepared.
To summarize the mare owner will need to contact one of the vets on 0265-627391 and fax a “stallion collection booking form” (available on this website) before programming the mare so that timing, freight routes & the stallion stud are all ready.
Veterinarians responsibilities
This practice will ensure that we are available to collect the stallion's semen, which will be examined at the stud for count, motility & concentration of sperm. If necessary it will be centrifuged & separated, then it will then be added to the semen extender & packaged in the chilling package.
We will then organise freight collection.
We are available to discuss any matters relating to the artificial breeding of the mare anytime during the week.
The whole process of artificially inseminating a mare is expensive & requires the synchronization of at least 2 mares, one stallion, 2 veterinary practices, 2 freight centres, & 2 equine stud staff. For this reason it is essential that the whole process is planned well in advance so as to minimize failures.