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ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
Equine
semen is very delicate and needs to be handled with care . The mare
owner has to be far more vigilante in his preparation of his mare before
covering. It is in the owners interest to have a cervical swab taken
from his mare when she is in season.
The
Thoroughbred industry also look for a clear C.E.M. and E.V.A. report.
It is advisable to leave your mare until she starts to loose her coat
and comes into season for the second time.
In
the spring mares can stay in season for over two weeks on their first
heat of the year. After receiving a clean cervical swab report, you
need to get your veterinary surgeon to check your mare for
follicle size and softness in preparation to order semen form your
chosen stallion.
There
are very few stallions whose semen will remain viable after 48 hours, so
it is advisable to try and get same day delivery and to have your mare
inseminated the same evening.
The
most important operation is to have your mare checked for ovulation 24
hours later.
This
is essential for keeping a high conception rate in artificial
insemination. You may need to order more semen if she had not ovulated.
Equine semen can be delivered by rail, bus and courier or collected at
the stud. The large blue Equitainer is the best available way of
sending semen out, as it has a cooling system to bring semen down to 5°
within 7 1/2 hours. You must
realise that the Equitainer is only for transport and is not designed
for storage above 48 hours. The polystyrene container is smaller and
semen should be used with 24 hours.
Do
not open container, as
the veterinary surgeon will know how to handle chilled semen from
instruction enclosed. The more handling and shaking around semen gets
the less viable it becomes. Containers can be sent back by normal post.
Mare
owners should note the following, when handling semen with your
veterinary surgeon preparing your mare for insemination.
Do
not open container until veterinary surgeon arrives.
Store
in a cool place out of sunlight
Always
bandage your mare's tail with a clean bandage.
Always
wash the mare's vulva with clean warm water and cotton wool, dry well.
Do
not use any soap or disinfectant near the mare or bucket, as this will
kill semen. Always ensure the veterinary surgeon has a plastic tipped
syringe, as rubber is spermicidal.
Only
use KY lubricant gel on insemination glove.
It
is a good idea for owners to have some available (from chemist), as vets
would not normally carry these with them.
On
removing semen from container gently rotate to mix semen thoroughly
before immediate insemination.
Never
store semen in fridge, andnever leave semen in sunlight.
Check
stallion owner's instructions carefully as all stallions are different.
Some studs will send out 2 doses to be used in one insemination
depending on semen count and percentage of viable semen on collection.
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