(With thanks to SPUNK! Pony Semen Imports Ltd, New Zealand)

 

Why frozen semen?

The Connemara gene pool in Australia is becoming dangerously restricted, as some lines - for many reasons - do not get used enough, others are used too much. Apart from the problem of finding suitable unrelated stallion for your mare, this is a much safer process for all concerned. Your mare is not put at any risk of injury.

 

Is it using frozen semen 'right' for my mare?

Not every mare is suitable for use in a frozen semen breeding programme. A veterinary practice experienced in the use of frozen semen is the best place to discuss whether it is a good choice for your mare. Generally speaking, the best mares are considered to be under 14 years of age, and have a good breeding record (easy to get in foal, and keep in foal). Older maiden mares, and those with a poor reproductive history are not good candidates. However, do not discount an easy breeding older mare without first checking with an equine reproduction specialist.

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What guarantees are there with using Frozen Semen?

No guarantees are given to mare owners wishing to use frozen semen. Quite simply, too much of the success rate for getting mares in foal with frozen semen is outside the control of the stallion owner or agent. Pregnancies from frozen semen are much more reliant on timing of breeding than with chilled or fresh semen - the timing of insemination is critical to the outcome, and the stallion owner or agent has no control over that part of the operation. The semen has been collected, frozen, and checked. It is considered by the breeding station that froze it to be of suitable quality for a successful insemination. The best 'guarantee' a mare owner can make is to have their mare inseminated at a facility which has a proven success rate using frozen semen.

 

What other costs are involved in using frozen semen?

Once you have purchased your semen, it needs to be transported to your chosen insemination centre. The semen is shipped in a special container, usually by courier, from the storage facility. The cost of the shipping is the responsibility of the person who has purchased the semen. The insemination costs will vary from facility to facility. Some facilities charge on a per cycle system, some charge a set fee which covers three cycles. It is up to you as the mare owner to ascertain which system will suit you best.

 

Why is it SO expensive to use frozen semen?

There are lots of factors and costs that all rapidly accumulate when you start down the frozen semen route. Stallion owners incur some very considerable costs when freezing semen (especially when freezing to the standards required to ship semen to Australia and New Zealand). Then there is the transport of the semen, which must remain frozen at very low temperatures, halfway around the world. The semen is accompanied by a mountain of paperwork, which must have all its i's dotted and t's crossed to be accepted by AQIS. Once you actually have your semen, there will also be further vet fees as often mares are ultrasounded every 6 hours until they ovulate and are inseminated.

 

For further information please see equine specialist vet sites such as http://www.gvequine.com.au/reproduction/frozen-semen/breeding-with-frozen-semen