Versatile multiple champion halter, western pleasure, hunt seat, most classic, youth, armature and open.  Sire of champion endurance horse Silver Xerox & halter champion Memarax

Grandson of the immortal Arax

Winner of multiple halter futurities and most classic

Breeding mounts, also known as phantoms or dummies, are an integral part of a modern breeding operation. They serve as a substitute for a live mare, when collecting semen in an artificial insemination program. This includes inseminating on farm, and shipping cooled or frozen semen. Additionally, stallions may need to be collected for semen evaluation and analysis, for pre season check ups, sales or insurance purposes. Most importantly, breeding phantoms greatly reduce the chance of injury to the stallion during semen collection. Another plus is that phantoms can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between mounts, minimizing transmission of disease and potential pathogens.

A properly designed phantom is of utmost importance in relation to the quality of the ejaculate. A stallion must be comfortable, pain free, and a full partner in the collection process. Stallions have the unique ability to ejaculate and withhold sperm. Causes may include poor collection procedures such as, artificial vaginas too hot or cold, wrong pressure, poor technician technique, or uncomfortable height, angle or width of the phantom. I have witnessed stallions so apparently angry with the collector, mount, or situation, that they ejaculate volumes of seminal fluids, with little to no sperm cells. When the situation changed, their ejaculates returned to normal. Stallions with uncomfortable collection memory, often do this, and can also become accumulators. This is a situation that causes a backup of sperm cells, possible blockage and occasionally hemospermia, which is blood in the semen.

Phantoms may be either home made or commercial, and are constructed in different styles. Most home made models are two legged, and are not adjustable by height or angle. This can create several problems, while being perfectly suitable for some stallions. The two legged design has been known to cause injury to the front legs of some stallions. Also, the collector must be able to position him/herself in such a fashion, so as to get the most satisfactory response from the stallion. You want your left foot, assuming you are collecting from the near side of the horse, behind the right, and close to the phantom. I have seen mounts built with the back post at the very end of the body of the mount. One stallion while thrusting, repeatedly hit the post with his back hooves, rendering him sore. Remember, not all stallions collect quietly. Some move around and will attempt to move up or cross to the side. His legs should not be subject to possible injury. Therefore a single post, set sufficiently back, is highly recommended. I have witnessed stallions with the configuration of double post, learn to mount and thrust from a far back position. This does not give him the acupressure support he needs, with his chest against the mount, for a strong ejaculation. Thereby, giving a lesser quality collection than he was capable of. Most stallions prefer only a slight degree of angle. The height recommended is slightly shorter at mid body then the height of the stallion. Again, adjustment may be necessary, taking into consideration the preference, age and/or physical limitations of the stallion.

Width of the mount is also be vital, but shape is seldom considered by builders. When building a home made phantom, it is often suggested to use an old water heater or log. Cover it with foam and vinyl, and “voila,” a breeding mount. Here is where this story goes wrong. These objects being round, are widest at the farthest point, east and west. Watch a stallion breed naturally. Upon mounting, he grips the mare in front of her hips and pelvic area. Notice this area on your mare. Nature has indented her here, and it is her least round, and most narrow area. Because … when a stallion ejaculates, he concurrently straightens and tenses his forelegs. He needs to do this to totally ejaculate. A breeding mount of round proportions, does not allow his forelegs to fall straight, thus straining his shoulders, forearms, and neck, as he tenses to ejaculate. A stallion who does not have a heavy or regular breeding schedule may not show signs of distress. On the other hand, we often hear of stallions with heavy collection schedules, needing a chiropractor. Not realizing the source of the problem, the stallion manager may believe the stallion unable to breed and still compete. He may just be sore from the unnatural position. If the condition causing the discomfort persists and is not recognized, the stallion may begin to dismount prematurely, or during ejaculation. This is a frustrating experience for both collector and stallion.

Remember too, that breeds of different stature and weight, are not dissimilar, as to the space between their forelegs. Just because your stallion is 17 hands, does not make him wider between the legs then a 14.2 Arabian. He may even be narrower. He does not need a wide mount. Many commercial mounts are also too wide for many breeds. Pay attention to this if constructing your own. I recommend 22 inches for standard horse breeds, and 24 for drafts. Too narrow can also cause discomfort.

This differs from weight bearing, and structural integrity. The stallion must never feel insecure of his weight on the mount. Again, a 15.2 Shire will weigh more then a 16.2 thoroughbred. The phantom must be built to be secure of his weight. Have you noticed a stallion pasture breeding, testing the weight bearing and intention of the mare? They will partially mount a number of times, and use their neck as a weight, to test the waters. This posturing will be imitated upon covering the phantom. Make certain phantom is secured firmly, and the body of the mount does not give, and can totally support the stallion’s weight while thrusting. Foam padding and a non abrasive cover should be of sufficient depth and density, to further add to his comfort.

Another area of wide debate, are mounts with internal orifices. In these models the stallion actually enters the mount, which is equipped with an internal artificial vagina. As the stallion ejaculates, the handler must use a lever to lower the artificial vagina’s angle. This allows the semen to descend into the filter and bottle. Timing here is imperative. There have been validated accounts of stallions being injured, and some seriously impaired by this method of non manual collection. While some stallions adjust well to this form of collection mount, without ever a hint of a problem, it is not recommended by many Universities and Reproduction vets. If purchasing such a unit used, and in doubt, simply cover the orifice so the stallion cannot enter, and proceed to collect with a hand held artificial vagina. As to any argument that this form of mount is a one man method, I have personally come to this conclusion. A bad stallion always needs more then one person present. A well mannered, stallion, can be handled and collected by the same person, using any mount, without any difference. Libido, temperament and training of the stallion, along with your own experience and ability, are serious considerations before attempting any collection procedures by oneself.

The actual training of the stallion to mount a phantom is not difficult. Patience, as in any form of training and conditioning, is paramount. One needs first to evaluate the stallion’s past breeding experience, libido, and physical ability to mount. I have not seen much difference training sexually unused stallions to aged veterans, as to their willingness to mount a phantom. Libido seems to equal out experience. One area where I have had to test my patience is professionally trained and shown Halter horses. They are firmly conditioned to exhibit no libido or sexual interest while in a halter with a chain. Many will turn away from a mare in estrus beckoning to him. Past experiences with dropping or vocalizing, have earned him a sharp reckoning. One way to get past this is a soft, heavy cotton lead, with a strong bull snap. It signals a non work climate. A pleasant alternative. I have also had great luck with, and recommend ,the use of a bright colored halter, different from their usual. All stallions soon come to recognize this as a signal of what is to come. This is similar to the Pavlov dog theory.

I prefer to initially use a mare in full heat, for phantom training. Some stallions can tease to a mare in stocks, a close visual stimulant, and be aroused enough to mount the phantom. This works particularly well with stallions experienced in live cover. If no stocks are available, or the stallion needs the mare to be in closer proximity, be certain you have an experienced mare handler/horse person. I like to scent the phantom with mare urine. Preferably the liquid expelled as the mare breaks down for the stallion. I have also used soiled shavings from an estral mare, rubbed onto the mount. This can be a powerful aphrodisiac. Next place the mare beside the phantom, her posterior at the business end of the mount. A sturdy phantom should allow the stallion to approach from the near side, and tease the mare. When dropped, guide the stallion to the back of the mount, placing his chest at a slight angle, into the near corner. In a state of excitement, when feeling the pressure of the phantom at his chest, his impulse will be to mount. The first sign I have that the stallion is progressing, is the rubbing of his head and neck on the phantom. Often they will look and sniff underneath as they would a mare to check any indication of a kick. I always allow the stallion to mount if he wishes, but has not dropped. Research has shown, stallions in the wild will mount numerous times before becoming erect and actually breeding. This is a natural ritual, and should not be punished. Some stallions excite themselves in this manner. When the stallion does mount, with an erection, allow him to bump the mount with his penis once or twice. This is also done in natural copulation with the mare. Then, gently deflect his penis into the AV. Never attempt to collect a stallion unless both legs are on either side of the mount. As the stallion mounts, the mare handler should walk her up a few steps. This will prevent the mare from harm by the stallion’s legs and/or teeth.

When training the stallion to the mount, I work in 15 to 20 minute intervals. He is then put back into his stall for 5 to 15 minutes. This is regardless of what point he is at. When he returns to the phantom, he is like a youth who has studied his homework. He wants to breed, and progresses much more rapidly. I seldom have a stallion who needs to return to the stall more then once. This too goes for any stallion who becomes aggressive. When displaying ungentlemanly behavior, they are returned to their stall, for 2 to 3 minutes, repeatedly if necessary. They quickly learn to behave in a way that earns him his reward.

Providing all the ingredients are present for a successful mount, ejaculation and collection, most stallions become conditioned to the memory, sight and scent stimulus, of the phantom. Many will find the stimulation of a mare unnecessary after a few collections. More important, stallion and handler are in a safe and efficient position. With the comfort of a correct phantom coupled with excellent collection technique, we have a win / win situation. A mannered stallion at ease with his job, providing you with an ejaculate of his highest quality.

I would like to thank EquiMount Phantoms, EquiMount@aol.com, Rancho la Rosa, and Grand World Champion Fino Stallion, Vitral, and Sabrina Gartner and her Hanoverian stallion, Royaal Z, for their help illustrating this article. Both stallions shown pictured are during their first phantom training experience.

Click Here to Order Your Phantom!

The loss is no less devastating for the single mare breeder than the large production farm. While an empty year for the hobby enthusiast means a considerable expense, with not even a tax deduction, a 20% barren rate on a breeding farm is a business disaster. Let’s take a farm with 100 broodmares. 20 mares have not settled, and must be put back to pasture for 7 months. Each have already incurred expenses, including daily care and vet, averaging over $2,000.00 for the 5 month breeding period. Add to that, It’s a draw!

A mid summer’s nightmare, for the mare owner/ breeder, … empty mares. We started the last season feeling quite confident. New breeding technology articles and books were read, and consultations had with our vet. We’ve spent hours looking through trade publications, for the best stallion cross available. We’ve put the mares under lights, done cultures, cytologies, biopsies, palpations, and ultrasounds. Perhaps we’ve found her “dirty”, and have added flushes and oxytocin to our expense list. Let’s not forget, ordering shipped or frozen semen, inseminations, and shipping charges. After many months of having our hope balloon burst, every 21 days, our frustration parameters have been met.

The loss is no less devastating for the single mare breeder than the large production farm. While an empty year for the hobby enthusiast means a considerable expense, with not even a tax deduction, a 20% barren rate on a breeding farm is a business disaster. Let’s take a farm with 100 brood mares. 20 mares have not settled, and must be put back to pasture for 7 months. Each have already incurred expenses, including daily care and vet, averaging over $2,000.00 for the 5 month breeding period. Add to that maintaining the mare for an additional 7 months and an additional $1,000.00. Multiply this by 20 mares, and we have at minimum, a $60,000.00 loss. Few businesses can continue taking hits like these. But let’s not stop here. We bought these good mares at an average of $10,000.00 each. We are now looking at a loss of over a quarter of a million dollars, that could escalate if we try and fail next year.

With a breeding farm, it is part of the cost of doing business. The IRS even have provisions for these losses. As “hobby” breeders, the IRS’s term for those of us who breed for profit, but slip between definition cracks, we have total emotional and monetary loss. A three horse backyard family, 4H project perhaps, getting 2 out of 3 mares in foal may not break even. This is not encouraging!

The fact is, no matter how I would like to give argument against the fact, under the most idyllic conditions, not all mares will become pregnant. SCIENCE MAY DICTATE, BUT MOTHER NATURE RULES! Human nature, on the other hand, is always predictable. Someone must be at fault. And we give ourselves multiple choices. Let’s start with the potency of the stallion, then the breeding manager, and/or staff. Next the air or shipping line, the vets, collector, container had been tampered with, even the weather can be blamed. Now fearing redundancy, I must repeat, perfectly timed, clean mares receiving excellent quality and correct quantity semen at the correct moment of ovulation, may not conceive or hold till ultrasound exam.

So far this has been a rather depressing chapter in our breeding chronicles. So let’s find a brighter scenario for this season. First, do not continue to breed your mare year round. There has been research done on mares bred in excess of three cycles, in hopes of conception. Interestingly, it was found that mares form a cycle of not conceiving. The uterus forms antibodies to the semen and conceptus. Turning her back out, or returning her to a show or pleasure life seems to improve her chances the following year. If you have lost more then one year, without finding a realistic problem, it might be wise to remove her from your breeding program. Selling or trading her is always optional. If she has great value, and it is within your budget, consider embryo transfer. Another possibility is changing stallions. Pick from a different genetic line, particularly if you were line breeding. Choose a stallion with an incredibly high conception rate, even if he was not your first choice. Often once you get your mare in foal, it is easy to repeat the success and thereby breaking her barren cycle.

Finally, I realize this may have no scientific backup, but I put barren mares in the pasture together with mares ready to foal and with new foals at their sides. Do not start to breed her early in the year, perhaps waiting till late March, and then breed. Allow Mother Nature to become involved. Your mares natural instincts will come into play when being in the company of the other.

Why then is a large portion of the breeding public frustrated, misinformed, or shipped semen illiterate? Luckily we are beginning to see a great deal more information, being published, discussed on dedicated chat sites, and clinics and lectures, focusing on reproduction technology.

Aggressively educating oneself is one key to success if investing in a breeding program. Wether you are, contemplating breeding your one and only pet mare, a hobby enthusiast, or serious horse breeding business, it is an investment in time and capitol, not to mention sweat equity. The next key is utilizing proper procedures. This applies not only to yourself, but feeling confident about your prospective stallion’s breeding management. Never be concerned about asking questions. These should include:

1. Has the stallion been evaluated and cultured at the beginning of each breeding season?
2. What is his past conception rate per cycle?
3. What methods and equipment are used to determine his motility and concentration, thereby shipping a correct dosage of 1 billion progressively motile cells (PMC)?
4. Will I receive 1 or 2 doses of 1 billion PMC in a shipment?
5. Do you ship only on specific days? Fed X or air?
6. Will he be available throughout the breeding season?
7. What is the longevity of his shipped semen?
8. Will I receive a complete report of my dose’s collections stats, including, date collected, motility, concentration, volume and extender used?
9. What are all costs involved, outside of the actual stud fee?
10. Are your doses a preferable less then 50ml?

the other side of the coin, the stallion manager should ask of you;

1. What is the mare’s breeding history?
2. Have you done a reproductive breeding soundness exam for this season, including a culture and cytology?
3. If she was “dirty” was a resistance test done for correct and best antibiotic treatment, and was a subsequent culture and cytology done?
4. Who is going to perform the insemination?
5. What method will you be utilizing to determine ordering semen; teasing, palpation, ultrasound, or a combination?

Reasons for these questions brings us to the fiction and fact aspect of our subject.
FICTION, it only take one sperm cell to impregnate a mare.
FACT, live cover needs 100 million progressively motile cells, on farm AI takes between 300 and 500 million, and shipped requires 1 BILLION PROGRESSIVELY MOTILE CELLS, for conception. These are internationally accepted figures.

FICTION, high motility equals high fertility.
FACT, although no one would knock high motility and or concentration, it is not a necessity for conception in a shipped semen program. You need to be able to deduce both in order to get a 1 billion PMC dose, and this should be done by a phase contrast microscope, with a heated stage, and some form of sperm counter. So it is the final dose that counts, not the motility. I have a number of stallions we collect that have never been above 60%, with a 100 % conception rate for years. The formula is: volume x concentration x motility = # of progressively motile cells available. Let’s look at this under a couple of different scenarios.

Our first stallion has given us a collection of 50 ml of gel free semen. His concentration is 200 million per ml, and his motility is 80%. We take 50 x 200 million x 8o% which equals 8 billion cells. Knowing we are shipping 1 billion per dose, we know we have 8 doses available. We divide the 50mls by 8 rounding off to 6.5 ml of semen per dose, adding 33 ml extender (5 to 1), gives us a prepared dose of approximately 40 ml. Mares in research programs, have shown lower conception rates when inseminated with more than 50 ml at a time.

Our second stallion’s collection netted us a nearly identical 50 ml of gel free ejaculate, with a concentration of 200 million per ml, but his motility is 35 %. Big difference. But is this stallion any less fertile using correct methods of preparing his semen? We again multiply 50 x 200, but then x 35%. It equals 3.5 billion total cells. This is enough for 3 doses. Our problem now lies in the fact that to properly extend this, I would need to add 14.8 ml of raw semen to 75 ml extender, making the dose a whopping 90 ml. Quite a bit over our 50 ml. limit. We have 2 choices. First, divide into two 45 ml packets, with instructions to inseminate 4 hours apart, letting the mare owner know that two packs equal 1 dose. Second choice, and more preferable, is utilizing a centrifuge, spin the semen down, extended 1×1, as one would to freeze semen, and re-hydrate your sperm pellet with 40 ml extender, giving you a strong adequate dose. One must also figure in cell loss when centrifuging. I would finish with 2 doses, of this ejaculate of 3.5 doses, utilizing this procedure.

Although our first stallion makes life easier for his manager, there is no difference in the quality and potential fertility of a shipment from either stallion. Additionally, either could lose an additional 50 percent of the motility, during shipping, that they began with, and still be totally viable. My personal best was a pregnancy, and resulting foal, out of 10% motility which arrived at 4%, shipped 2200 miles.

I can not stress enough the importance of making certain the stallion you choose for a shipped semen program, has an adequate lab, and technicians who do not cut corners. I would prefer to be told that I could not receive semen because the stallion produced 2 doses that day and I was third on the list, than to be shipped an insufficient amount, less then 1 billion cells, that compromised any efficiency of the insemination. This is a most common problem in communication and understanding between management and mare owner, and an area where time and money are forfeit.

FICTION, keep breeding till she is pregnant, or, the more you breed, the better your chance.
FACT, mares set up a normal inflammatory response to seminal fluids. A healthy normal uterus flushes itself, to be rid of excess fluid. In older mares, the uterus loses it’s natural gravity causing tilt, making it a site of infection and “pooling”. For this reason, your vet might wish to flush your mare, 4 to 6 hours post insemination. All viable semen will have arrived at the ova fossa, site of conception, within 4 hours. Any cells remaining in the uterine body, are not viable, and should be flushed. An injection of Oxytocin is also indicated, to begin the contractions that flush the uterus. Research has recently proven that the uterus also builds antibodies against future semen, wether deposited naturally or through artificial insemination. It actually build an immune system to the semen after 3 cycles. Therefore, if you have bred through 3 cycles, are certain through diagnostic tests, that your mare is reproductively clean and sound, and the stallion’s collection and shipment methods are correct, stop breeding. You will be wasting money at this point. Give the mare 2 to 3 cycles off. This then also applies to breeding live cover or inseminating a mare more than twice during her cycle. Excess coverage of the mare sharply decreases chance of conception. You should by means of palpation or ultrasound, be able to determine ovulation, and should not order semen before the mare has a 35 follicle. Try to inseminate as close to ovulation as possible.

FICTION, discard semen if it arrives the morning the mare ovulates.
FACT, inseminating within hours of ovulation is an excellent time. Arabian mares tend to conceive better with post ovulation insemination. There is a window though, and conception rates decline after 8 hours. Most mares ovulate between 4AM and 10AM.

There are no set cost to shipped semen and AI. Make certain you have asked your questions, are satisfied with the answers, and have it as part of your contract or agreement. Many stallion owners include shipped semen and it’s cost in the stud fee. If an outside veterinarian or lab is used, and there is an additional cost to you, do not be shy about contacting them for answers. Always discuss your plan with your own veterinarian, and set up a program for pre breeding reproductive health exam, and check out his/her background and availability as to artificial insemination, procedure, and disposables. It is preferable to use non spermicidal syringes and lubricant. This would give him/her time to prepare. Know the charges you may incur for the exam, flush, insemination, ultrasounds, etc. Being surprised is never pleasant.

Fiction belongs on your bookshelf. As an informed breeder utilizing the outstanding technologies available to us, the fact is, success is an odds on favorite.

At this time, conception rates with frozen semen remain at about 50%. Even with this, there are many critical factors for success. There must be proper collection techniques, with a close to sterile environment. The stallion should have a progressive motility, upwards of 50% (bare minimum). Middle to high concentration is also preferred. Many aged stallions, beyond 13 years, while developing varying degrees of testicular degeneration, produce larger volumes of fluid with less sperm cells. It is from this group we receive the most requests for freezing. Owners of young, virile stallions are not as concerned at the moment for saving their stallions genetic material, thus insuring their future. Often when we are called, it is too late. Many aged stallions can continue to be successful with live cover, and even ship well with the aid of a centrifuge, but lose potential to freeze enough straws per collection, to make it economically feasible. It is therefore imperative to decide on banking semen while the stallion is in his prime, if circumstances permit. Many stallions are not suitable at any age. Young stallions may exhibit poor seminal quality due to other factors such as: medications, physical condition, nutrition, over breeding, testicular size, overwork, and heredity, to name a few.

The freezing process begins similarly to a normal collection. We are using some form of sperm counter to assess concentration, and preferably a phase contrast microscope with a heating stage, centrifuge, incubator, liquid nitrogen tank, and waterbath.

We start by washing the stallion thoroughly, making certain he is dry. If using anything other than warm water for cleaning, it is imperative to rinse thoroughly, making certain there is no residue. I recommend doing this type of washing, the day before collection, and washing with warm water only, prior to collection. A mild detergent such as Ivory works quite well for removing smegma, as well as the sheath cleaning product, Excaliber. Remember, be gentle. Do not force or pick off scales. Excaliber can be left on for an hour, and when you return to finish the job, the scales are easily washed away, leaving the penis non-irritated. And always, rinse, rinse, rinse, and gently towel dry.

After collecting, the ejaculate is evaluated as to concentration and motility, and extended in a centrifuge medium. Centrifugation time varies, by the individual animal’s ejaculate. A good base to start at is 10 minutes at 400 G force. The centrifuge spins at extreme speed, separating the liquid from the cells. The liquid is then aspirated off leaving a sperm pellet on the bottom. It is important to leave a small amount of seminal fluid, as this appears to be necessary to the cells survival. The new concentration is then re calibrated by means of a hemocytometer, and re extended in a freezing medium. This freezing extender is a base extender with the addition of glycerol, egg yolk, and a food detergent, Equex.

Straws are then filled depending on their size. If macro straws, 5 ml., are used, they normally will accommodate 600 to 800 million progressively motile cells per straw, or 1 dose. Half ml. straws are also common, but take 3 or as many as 10 straws, to support a dose. Straws are then placed on a freezing rack set just above a level of liquid nitrogen. This allows the straws to initially freeze in the vapors, producing less shock. After 20 minutes they are placed directly into the liquid nitrogen which completes the freezing process. ½ ml straws may take less time in the vapor. The straws can now be transferred into a liquid nitrogen tank for storage. Properly cared for these will last forever. Regular checks and maintenance of the tanks are a priority.

In evaluating frozen semen, we can only test for post thaw motility. Unfortunately, this does not mean fertility. Even very high motility is no guarantee for conception. One of the problems being researched is that freezing tends to destroy 1) the cells abilities to adhere to the egg, and, 2) the enzymes needed to penetrate it, for capacitation and conception to occur. At this time there is no test to confirm or deny wether any damage has occurred, but research is currently being conducted to produce a test. Breeding a reproductively sound mare, with a sampling of your straws is recommended. A positive pregnancy test is your only warrantee. If purchasing straws, always ask if they have had a successful test, and for numbers and references.

The sale and purchase of equine frozen semen, is also a new avenue for most breeders. Frozen semen can be banked by the purchaser for any length of time, including years. Live foal guarantees become difficult to promise, if not impossible. The added expense of freezing and banking, is usually compensated in the breeding fee, by being paid for up front, in full. The straws are then released to the purchaser. Most stallions offering frozen semen also limit the amount of straws, or cycles, of the breeding. If the mare has not settled, additional straws can be obtained at a pre arranged cost. There are also stallions, including some deceased, that charge another full stud fee, should the mare not conceive on the allotted straws. There are pros and cons on both sides. Considerable time and cost are engaged by the stallion owner, yet the mare owner can pick and choose the right moment for insemination. The cost of shipping, and the dry shippers themselves, specific nitrogen containers for shipping, are costlier then shipping fresh chilled semen. But, you don’t have to worry about timing your mare’s ovulation. The straws are available whenever you choose, and your mare is ready.

Always get thaw instructions, specific for the straws you have purchased, and a contact number for the company who froze the semen. Only a few degrees, or 2 to 3 seconds, too long or too short, will damage or destroy the cells. Competent companies, with positive pregnancy results, are happy to give references. Always discuss the purchase of frozen semen straws with your veterinarian. He or she may not be experienced with working with frozen. It also is necessary to have a liquid nitrogen tank available to either yourself or your vet to store the straws. A waterbath, and straw forceps are also necessary to handle and thaw.

Insemination with frozen has it’s own specific needs. The mare must be carefully observed during her estrus. Monitored by ultrasound throughout, and at least twice daily after reaching a 35 ml. follicle. Ultrasound needs to be utilized every 6 to 8 hours, nearing ovulation, in order to decide the closest point, prior or post ovulation.. Most straws need to be administered within 6 hours of ovulation. The ultrasound gives us a clear picture of the follicle beginning to lose shape, just prior to ovulating. With most mares, ovulation occurs between 4 AM and 10 AM. This can be an added burden on your veterinarian’s time. Semen previously frozen, does not have the life span of fresh chilled, within the mare. Thus the need for insemination within minutes of thaw, and perfect timing of the ovulation.

A new protocol was presented this year at the International Reproduction Symposium at Solvang, California. It has been researched and found effective, and simplifies the insemination timing. The mare is observed at the start of estrus, and when ultrasounded at a 35 follicle, larger for certain breeds, HcG is administered. The mare is then inseminated at 24 and 40 hours post HcG. One can then determine once a day, utilizing ultrasound, the progression of her ovulation. This will definitely cut cost to the mare owner.

It is actually the European, Iberian, and South American markets, that have pursued the American breeders to become more adept in the use and marketing of Equine Cryogenics. In Europe, the use and shipment of straws, are as commonplace as fresh chilled is to us. For 20 plus years it has been an accepted and successful practice. Recently they lobbied the American Quarter Horse Association, so successfully, that at the AQHA convention, they passed the usage of frozen semen, beginning in 2001. Because of international customs regulations, fresh chilled was often unable to be delivered within 48 hours, diminishing sperm quality severely, if not entirely. To maintain a global genetic bank, readily available and accessible, their reasoning won out.

This is also an excellent way to secure healthy semen, for both exportation and importation, while also expanding your client base, or, as a mare owner, expanding your genetic pool. Each country has their own requirement for the importation of horse semen. A quarantine is generally needed, along with a health certificate. The stallion while quarantined, may use that time to be frozen. This ranges from 30 to 60 days. A quarantine may be arranged at your own barn, a specific reproductive facility or University, through your vet and the USDA. Semen frozen within the USA and shipped within the country does not require a quarantine.

Heredity is a severe problem we have created in the industry. In cattle, regardless of quality, show career or breeding, a reproductively inferior animal is eliminated. As horse breeders we continue to breed both stallions and mares with poor reproductive histories. Using the advancements of veterinary science, we make up for what nature has tried to cull. The result is a growing number of reproductively defective, yet outstanding, show horses. Perhaps we need a wake up call to breeders, owners, and horsemen, to recognize our responsibility to perpetuate our breeds. Our standard must be as high for producing reproductive efficiency as it is for creating an otherwise athletically and physically, superior specimen.

Finally, the future of our industry to grow and be financially healthy, on a global basis, is the utilization of the many advanced reproductive techniques, such as freezing, embryo and oocyte transfer, gender selection and frozen embryos. We as responsible horsemen, must continue to educate ourselves, ask questions, and select our breeding horses responsibly.

With the radical changes in reproductive technology in the past 20 years, small breeders are no longer limited by geographic proximity. Once only wealthy breeders could ship mares cross country to a perhaps superior stallion. Today thanks to artificial insemination (A.I.), overnight delivery and cooled or frozen semen, we have broken the barriers of stallion selection with the exception of stud fees. However, having easy access to top quality stallions does not mean getting your mare in foal is easy or inexpensive. First, a healthy and fertile stallion is essential for an equine breeding program to be successful. And no less important is an experienced and educated stallion management team.

The unfortunate practice of keeping show stallions under lights year round to maintain impressive coats is a strong and growing reason for low libido and decreased fertility in top stallions. While it does no harm to keep mares under lights year round, maintaining cycles and getting a great show coat, stallion reproduction must undergo a low photo period hiatus. Natures cycling for the stallion requires a near shutdown period which is triggered by the pineal gland behind the eye. Fall and Winter’s short daylight hours trigger a type of hibernation for the endocrine system. Come Spring, as light hours increase, the reproductive system builds up once again for the equine’s natural season, late Spring and Summer. This does not coincide with our current policy of producing foals as close to January 1 as possible. I do not believe either trainers, owners or most breeding managers are aware that this tradition of year round lights is doing possible damage after long exposure. Current studies at Universities have exposed these facts in the last number of years.

Because the stallion makes up 50% of each conception, his fertility is as important as the reproductive capacity of each individual mare in the program. The selection of the stallion is commonly done, in the United States, on the basis of pedigree and performance, with little consideration being given to the individual’s reproductive capability. While the Europeans have been doing a stallion selection process, demanding a minimum or reproductive efficiency, for years. This has produced, in general, a higher quality of reproductive individual.

The most reliable measure of fertility in a stallion is the number and percentage of mares he settled in a season. These figures are not always available. Additionally, previous history will not be possible in a rookie stallion.

If one is to truly understand the stallion’s role, in the reproductive process, one must be familiar with his anatomy and endocrine system. How it correlates to conception and fertility is paramount in seeing the whole picture of your potential breeding stallion.

The male reproductive organs consist of 2 testes, each suspended by a spermatic cord and external cremaster muscle, 2 epididimides, 2 defferent ducts, each with an ampula, paired vesicular glands, a prostate gland, paired bulbourethral glands and the penis. Most breeders only consider the first and last. Additionally, the reproductive tract is supported within the pelvic cavity by the hammock like genital fold, and externally by the scrotum.

The endocrine system provides the hormonal fuel for the above. Stimulated by light, the pineal glad, behind the eye, produces melatonin. Melatonin stimulates the Hypothalamus , within the brain to produce GnRH. This in turn stimulates the pituitary to produce FSH and LH. These are critical for spematogenesis to occur in the testes. Any breakdown of this sequence shows up as a fertility problem. At any sign of problem with stallion fertility, one should consider initiating cultures. This should include cultures of both the semen and the urethra, both pre and post breeding. Additionally an endocrine panel should be pulled for a complete picture.

The sequence of events to produce normal reproductive function are: a) sperm are produced in the tubule of the testes; b) they mature and acquire fertilizing capacity in the head and body of the epididymis; c) sperm cells are maintained in a fertile state in the tail of the epididymis; d) ejaculated by the contraction of the deferent ducts, accessory sex glands and muscles associated with the penis. These processes depend on and are coordinated by the neuroendocrine system. The process from the start of the creation of the sperm cell to final maturation in the epididimal tail is approximately 57 days. This means whatever a stallion ejaculates in February was begun in December. If an injury or infection, or any occurrence that would raise the temperature of the testes 2 degrees, were to happen today, this stallion would still be fertile tomorrow, but would have the possibility of being infertile, temporarily, in 2 months. Many times when a stallion suddenly stops settling mares, after a number of successful months, breeding managers do not know to look back 60 days to seek a cause. Perhaps a kick, colic or cold with fever. The problem normally rectifies itself shortly as soon as new cells are available, assuming there were no complications or permanent damage to the testes.

Next let’s discuss testicular size. The horse’s testes size and circumference are in direct proportion to his production capacity. A stallion with small testicles will not be as efficient as one with large. Volume is as important as concentration and motility in a heavily booked stallion, making daily sperm production critical for reproductive success.

Assuming we have chosen a fine stallion of respectable lineage, reputation and credentials, we go on to collection. There are some stallions who can be collected ” on the ground”, that is without mounting. The usual is to have available a mare (preferable in estrus) or a phantom, also known as a dummy or breeding mount. The stallion should be washed using warm water, being carful to gently remove the smegma from both the shaft and prepuce. Often a small accumulation will occur commonly called a “bean”. Since water is spermacidal, let air dry or pat dry with a clean, white, paper towel. The stallion is then led to the mare or phantom and when erect, allowed to mount. The qualified technician or Vet will then deflect the penis into an artificial vagina (A.V.) And the stallion will ejaculate. Currently there are a number of A.V.’s available. Commonly used are the Colorado, Hanover, French, Japanese and Missouri. The former being the heavier but maintaining temperature for longer periods. This is much more important in the north then southern states during winter and early spring. Usage though is personal preference, with excellent records for all. The collection is brought immediately to the lab for evaluation and preparation. In the lab three key values must be ascertained; 1) Gel Free Volume 2) Concentration 3) Progressive Motility. Volume is measured, Concentration is deduced by either a hemocytometer, spectometer, or densimeter, Motility by a phase contrast microscope with a heating stage. Another key concideration is velocity. The only sperm that are viable must be traveling in a fairly straight path and are actually spiraling. This is called progressive motility. Those crazy swimmers going in circles or erratic patterns must be discounted when deciding the correct percentage of motility. Often people only factor in dead cells when discerning percentage. Also, not having a heated stage warmer will shock the cells, once again giving an incorrect figure. This is critical when figuring dosage for shipment. A dose must be a minimum of 1 billion progressively motile cells. The mare receiving this at ovulation has the best possible chance for conception. In error or greed, the shorting of this amount severely compromises successful conception.

An unwashed stallion with a dirty ejaculate will give a false and high concentration number. Since the instruments that measure concentration, cannot differentiate between particles of sperm or any other, you get a false high. They only measure density. Often this is another reason for incorrect dosage and low conception rate. The exception to this is a Hemocytometer.

Having correctly calculated your ejaculate, you are now ready to extend the semen and prepare your doses. Extenders nourish and protect the cells in transport and within the mare. They are a basic sugar and skim milk base, usually with some form of anti-biotic added. Shipped semen is extended at a minimum of 4 to 1. Horses with high concentration levels are extended even further. The doses are then packaged, placed in a industry approved shipping container, and shipped. I also suggest a breakdown be included with the shipment, showing Volume, Concentration, Motility, Time of day collected, Extender brand and ratio of semen to extender. I highly encourage mare owners to insist on this. If the numbers are not available, there is little chance the dose is correct and reproductive efficiency is severely compromised. This translates into DOLLARS AND TIME LOST.

The stallion manager’s ability to communicate and answer questions may well be one of the important criteria in choosing a stallion. Do not hesitate to ask for references of shipped semen recipients, and what equipment they have available in their lab.

Whether you are considering purchasing a stallion for breeding or contracting for your mare(s) coming season, arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can. Because a farm may breed multiple stallions and/or cover many mares, or even ship semen regularly, does not make them qualified to use your time or money. Remember, the only criteria to calling oneself a professional is accepting money. Whereas, a qualified breeder is an educated horseman with the tools, education, success rate, and dedication to strive for maximum reproductive efficiency.

I love horses! Any breed, age, gender, color or discipline. I drove my parents crazy from the time I could talk. Foolishly, they thought I would outgrow my fantasy. Instead it directed my life and became my adult reality. I embraced my obsession with such tenacity that soon, riding, showing, teaching and even judging were not enough. If I had been blessed with artistic talent, I would have painted, drawn or sculpted endlessly in an effort to recreate the essence of perfect beauty and harmony which is the perfect horse. But no such talent did I possess.

Then, one day, by pure accident, I stumbled on a stallion who took my breath away. I had never considered owning a stallion, nor did I have the facility to keep one. An hour later, that stallion was on his way home with me, and we began a journey. It is now 17 years later, and my quest to create the perfect horse has taken me to two Universities and three continents. I have sought out great breeders, and studied legendary stallions to add to my pallet. I have also encountered many like minds with the same goals and frustrations.

Creating true genetic quality, both genotype and phenotype, it’s not a toss of the dice. History has shown us great and thoughtful horse breeders since the earliest written records. Today we have understanding and technology available to the public never before imagined. Stallion Collection, Shipped Chilled Semen, Artificial Insemination, Cryopreservation, Embryo Transfer, Diagnostics, and on and on. We have more colors on our pallet to create then ever. But with new techniques come fear and misuse. Proper handling, collection, and evaluation, greatly increase conception rates. Yet this has not been the case across the board, due to shortcuts and greed.

How many of you on ordering shipped semen have asked, how many progressively motile cells are being shipped per dose, that ejaculate’s concentration, motility and how they arrived at that dose? The correct dosage to ship is one billion progressively motive cells, in a volume of under 50 mls, if possible.

Many breeding centers will get call for 3 shipments, and regardless of correct dosage, extend the samples and just divide it 3 ways and ship. If there were only 2 billion cells, no one gets a correct dosage and conception changes are severely reduced. If only 2 had been sent, the odds would have favored 2 satisfied customers and 2 foals next season.

How about on the mare owner’s end. Does your Vet or Tech use a non spermicidal syringe, and evaluate the sample for viability after insemination? As the recipient, consumer, of the semen, you have the right to ask questions and receive a written evaluation of what you ordered. This should be included in the package. If not, this constitutes mail fraud.

There are stallions so potent that error seems not to be effect their success. But this is the exception not the rule. When your dollars and cents are on the line, you must remove the blindfold.

I do not believe, or even wish, we will ever breed the perfect horse. He or she must remain in the fertile fields of our own imaginations. It is there that we seek perfection that is individual ourselves, and allows new ideas to benefit all. An educated breeder with a great mare has the world at his/her fingertips. Remember, a foal takes 60 to 70% of it’s dam’s physical, genetic and athletic traits. The mare is by far the most important contribution to the quality of the foal. A stallion that can override the majority of a mare’s genetic traits and replace them with his own cells “prepotent”, and is an exception rather than a rule. When this happens, these great ones become the icons of their breed, and by all means should be revered.

By finding a stallion that “nicks” with a mare, a good breeder can produce a superior foal of championship potential year after year. A stallion is always dependent on the quality of the mares booked to him. Regardless of your affection for your mare, or perhaps she was a great buy, you should take a hard look before you decide to breed.

First, pedigree: if all her well known ancestors or champions are stallions, take another look. The most important line in a pedigree is the “tail female lin”. This is the bottom most line on the dam’s side of the pedigree. These are the strongest inheritable genes.

Second, Age: Mares of more than 14 years of age have significantly more inflammatory and degenerative changes of the uterus and less contractile activity than younger mares. Physical conformation of the vulva may make a “Caslick” procedure imperative. On the other side of the coin, clients have brought me 2 and 3 year olds who were not reproductively mature, regardless of cycling.

Third, General Health: A good nutritional diet, suited to your mare’s age and level of activity has been proven to be an important contributor to conception and development of the fetus. Inoculation and worming history, with continualtion throughout pregnancy should be routine. Before breeding, a vet should perform a “breeding soundness” exam. Also, an excellent idea before purchase.

Lastly, know or try to find out your mare’s past breeding history. Sub-fertility in mares is multifaceted. If I were to attempt to group reasons, they would fall into 3 categories:
1) Age, 2) Contamination and infection of the reproductive tract, 3) Malfunctioning of the hormonal system. At times these will overlap.

The hormonal system of the mare is perhaps her most important anatomical structure and the least understood by the breeder. I would like to give you a quick review of what happens when your mare’s body prepares for pregnancy. First, the mares eyes bring in added light which is recorded by the Pineal Gland which is located in the tissues of the mid brain. It starts the reproductive cycle by producing Gonadatrophic Releasing Hormone of GnRH.

When GnRH is secreted in the proper amount, the Pituitary Gland located at the base of the brain is stimulated. The Pituitary Gland then secrets 2 hormones that effect the ovaries. The first is called Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). It travels in the bloodstream to the ovaries where it stimulates the development of one or more follicles.

When the follicles reach 25 to 25 millimeters in diameter, they secrete Estrogen. This hormone stimulates estrus (hear) activity, causes relaxation of the cervix, stimulates contractions along the mares reproductive tract, and signals the Pituitary Gland to stop producing FSH and at the same time stimulates the second gonadatrophic hormone, Luteinizing Hormone or LH. LH facilitates maturation of the growing, egg bearing follicle.

Ovulation occurs when the mature egg leaves the follicle and gegins it’s trip through the oviduct. Following ovulation, the estrogen level begins to fall, and the remains of the ovulated follicle are converted to a form of Corpus Luteum, or yellow body. These Luteal cells secrete the hormone Progesterone. It is it’s job to stop heating hormones, and to set the stage for maintaing pregnancy. It subdues the contracting reproductive tract, and tightens and closes the cervix. It also prohibits the secretion of FHS and LH from the Pituitary, thereby putting the mare out of heat.

Obviously, progesterone is a highly important hormone in maintaining pregnancy. In some sub-fertile mares the correct amount of progesterone is not secreted. When this happens, the other hormones swing into action and terminate the pregnancy, bringing the mare back into heat.

Fortunately, progesterone levels can be checked and monitored. Supplemental progesterone can be administered to the mare throughout her pregnancy. Proper timing and appropriate levels of all hormones are required to maintain a balance during breeding and pregnancy. Wherever there is an imbalance, breeding problems will follow. If your vet has found no physical, internal or conformational reason for a mare’s sub-fertility, ask him/her to do a homonal assay.

If you order cooled semen, do not open the package/container without your Vet or Tech.

Perhaps your mare is a nervous type. Or age, or physical disability makes travel undesirable or simply the stallion of your choice is beyond your geographic reach. Transported semen may be perfect for you. As we discussed earlier, properly timed and executed, it has a very high percentage of conception on first cycle, with less risk and expense. At the risk of repeating myself, the first step should not be to call your vet for a breeding soundness exam. In the case of a mare that has just foaled, you should be certain there were no tears or complications post partem. Mares that have been open should have a culture AND cytology. A large percentage of problem mares have clean cultures but will show up “dirty” on a cytology. A cytology is an added test, inexpensive, taking 24 hours to ascertain a wide range of infection and contamination.

Most mare owners ask for a culture not realizing this is not an accurate picture, and many vets do not recommend further tests if not asked. Another suggestion, particularly on aged mares, is a uterine biopsy. A small sample is excised, cultured, and gives a very good picture of the uterus. This, coupled with a sonogram, will arm you with enough information to make an educated decision as to go on with the further expense of contracting a stallion and transporting semen.

Next step, your mare comes into heat. Once again, contact your vet. He/She will want to palpate your mare on or about day 3 to assess her follicle and coordinate with the stallion manager. You do not want to order semen too early. Semen should arrive no earlier then 24 hours prior to ovulation, and not more then 6 hours after. Keeping in mind, mares ovulate between 4 in the morning and 10 AM. If your shipment arrives and your vet says she has just ovulated, do not panic. This is still good timing. The egg will rest in the Ova Fossa for a few days. This is the site of conception. If you inseminate too early, the sperm arrives but are weakened by the time the egg does.

Your Vet or A.I. Technician should work closely with the stallion manager to coordinate timing of shipment and ovulation. When the shipment arrives, do not open the container. I strongly suggest your vet or tech have a microscope to check the semen AFTER insemination. Do not warm the packet or let it come to room temperature. The mare’s body is the perfect incubator. Do not use more than one dose if you think she is going out of heat and you don’t want to waste any. The calculated dose is sufficient, and according to the studies at Colorado State University, inseminating with more than 50 mls. is actually detrimental to conception.

Do ask your vet or tech to use a non-spermicidal syringe. These are all plastic. The black tips on regular syringes are spermicidal to many stallions semen. Do be sure to wash and dry your mare’s perinatal area thoroughly with warm water and mild soap, making sure there is no residue remaining. Towel dry with clean, white paper toweling.

The dose will be drawn into a syringe, (or in the case of Equine Express container being used, it is already in the proper syringe), a pipette attached. It is then inserted vaginally, passing through the soft and open cervix. The procedure is quick. Since the semen is placed in the uterus, you don’t have to worry about “dumping” the inseminate, as you with natural cover.

If you have covered your basics and followed a sound reproductive program, the result will be a win, win situation for all the players and you will have the quality of foal to be contender. Whether your goal is the show ring, trail, or adding another beloved family member, breeding success = good horse cent$.

Next monthh is the stallion issue and we will address the subject of the breeding stallion, anatomy, semen evaluation and the effect of adding artificial light for a stallion’s libido and potency. I am always available to answer questions at Equine Reproduction Services · 504 SE 35th Ave · Ocala, Florida 34471 · ERSmobileAiLab@aol.com