Would you like to breed your mare
to a quality black Arabian stallion? We offer the stud services of
Blacklordof Cairo through transported frozen semen.
General advantages of AI (artificial insemination):
This applies to cooled or frozen TS (transported semen), and to
maiden mares as well as proven broodmares.
There are no travel or boarding costs for the mare, and there is
less stress on the mare. They don't have to travel so far, stay
in a strange place with strange people and strange horses, and be
bred by a strange stallion. We've read that stress will cause lower
conception rates.
AI is also much safer for the handlers, as well as for the mare
and stallion, since there is no contact between them. Some stallions
can get quite aggressive or difficult to handle in the breeding
shed, some mares will simply not accept a stallion (does not like
him and won't let him near her), and some mares kick at a stallion
when he dismounts. Also, since there is no contact, there is less
spread of diseases. In fact, there are breeders who don't offer
"live cover" anymore. And, there are breeders that will still do
the breeding on-site, but by AI, using fresh semen.
Frozen TS is often used when stallions have a career, or when they
are bred to mares in countries on the other side of the globe, where
the breeding season is in the fall. During his "off time", the stallion
is collected (it can only be done once or twice a day, and even
that can be pushing the limits). That way the stallion can still
show/race/etc. while his semen is being used to breed mares. 
Conception rates:
It is generally accepted that live cover (or AI using fresh semen)
has the best chance of covering a mare. Conception rates are a bit
lower for transported semen (frozen more so than cooled). This has
to do with "stress" put onto the semen when it is cooled down.
Maiden Mares: The problem with maiden mares is that they don't
have a breeding history. It is not known whether they conceive easily,
stand willingly for a stallion, or carry their foals to term. But
this problem exists whether you are using AI or live cover to breed
a mare.
Timing and duration of shipments:
Basically, the cooler semen is kept, the longer it will last (or
stay "viable"). Cooled semen only lasts for a few days, while frozen
semen lasts virtually forever, if it stays frozen.
When using cooled TS, time is a real problem. It takes preparation
and organization...
The vet needs to be able to determine exactly when the mare will
ovulate (usually with the help of hormone injections), so that he
can tell the mare owner when to order the shipment of semen. If
it is ordered too early, the semen will be useless when the mare
ovulates. If it is ordered too late, the mare may no longer conceive
when the semen is received. It also requires fast and reliable courier
service. Everyone needs to be on alert, possibly even a month before
the breeding is to take place, so that the stallion owner, the stallion,
and the stallion's vet, are available and ready to spring into action.
With frozen TS, time isn't as much of an issue. Instead of working
with days, there are now weeks to work with. It is now possible
to order, and receive, the semen weeks before the mare is expected
to ovulate. While the conception rate is lower, breeding with frozen
TS is less stressful for all involved.
Your mare's vet:
The success of the breeding can be significantly improved if the
mare's vet has done inseminations before, and he/she needs to have
an ultrasound to use. The mare owner must talk to the vet and get
his/her opinion on AI: costs, using hormones, advantages, disadvantages,
experiences.
Because of the sensitivity of frozen semen and the procedure, we
strongly suggest that you use a vet that is experienced with AI
using frozen TS, and that is properly equipped. Otherwise, you may
spend a lot of additional dollars. If you don't have a vet available
that is experienced with frozen TS, then make sure that your vet
contacts our AI vet (her contact information is on the contract).
She will answer any questions that arise in regard to thawing and
insemination of frozen semen.
What's the best way to breed my mare?
There are so many factors involved, that any of the three choices
could end up being the cheapest, or the most expensive.
First, have your veterinarian thoroughly examine the mare for breeding
soundness. This will tell you whether there are any problems that
could cause her to have difficulty conceiving (and therefore cost
you more money and a lot of frustration). A reproductive examination
includes a uterine culture, possibly a uterine biopsy and an ultrasound.
Naturally, your mare must be free of infection and disease as well.
Choosing the appropriate breeding method is no easy task. You must
make your own informed decision, so that you are comfortable with
the risks that you will have to take. Do as much research as you
can: browse the Internet, read books and magazines, talk to your
vet, and talk to others in your region that have used TS to breed
their mares.
More Information:
If this type of breeding is new to you, we urge you to read some
more information. Below you will find a list of excellent resources
at other web sites...
Frozen
Semen Manual
AAEP
Recommendations for Breeding With Cooled Transported Equine Semen
... press releases from the AAEP Online
Transported
Semen Part 1
Transported
Semen Part 2
Transported
Semen Part 3
... by Desert Weyr CMK Arabians
Equine
reproduction links
Equine
reproduction articles
... at equine-reproduction.com (some are very technical)
