F.A.Q.'s

Do you have a question about equine reproduction? If so, click here to contact EquiGen and they will post additional questions and answers to the site Bi-Weekly and may choose your question to be the “Question of the Month”!

Question of the Month

What should I do to get my mare ready for the 2010 breeding season?

Whether your mare has foaled before or not, it is always a great idea and a potential money and time saver to have your veterinarian evaluate her for general wellness before the breeding season begins. Discuss her body condition score and the importance of body condition for conception. Fat mares do not conceive as easily as mares with a better body condition and mares on an increasing plane of nutrition at breeding time do better than those who are not. So if she is fat, it would be best to put her on a diet now than when she is to be bred.

Older mares with fat deposits in "strange" locations like the crest of the neck, lumpy shoulders, "bubble butt" fat around the tail head and poor muscle tone could be indicating Cushing’s disease. Mares affected with Cushing’s are sub fertile and treatment should begin well ahead of the breeding season.

Mares that have foaled or have been bred before should have a uterine culture with the addition of an evaluation of the mare’s cervix. Many mares tear this delicate organ and it goes undiagnosed for quite a while. Even a small tear can cause much heart and wallet ache if not diagnosed and treated before breeding begins.

Discuss vaccinations. It is best not to have to vaccinate a pregnant mare during the first 3 months of gestation. We also suggest that she not be challenged by vaccination right before she arrives to be bred. Your general equine practitioner will be most helpful to you and your mare when it comes to your farms particular vaccination needs. And while we're speaking of needles, don't forget to get that Coggin’s up dated early in the new year! It is the law for all travel in Florida and is required to be admitted to EquiGen.

Now is a great time to select your stallion and to get in touch with the breeder and their staff. If EquiGen is managing your mare for breeding, be sure to give them our information. If you are using frozen semen, now would be a good time to have your doses shipped to EquiGen for storage for the breeding season. EquiGen offers storage of frozen semen to be used in the spring by EquiGen for free to our mare owners! So, get it sent and all you'll need to worry about is when your mare should arrive to be bred for 2010!

Mare Management

How old is too old to breed a mare?

A mare is too old to breed when she is unable to carry a pregnancy to term. Seems like an obvious answer, but it gets fuzzy when you throw in the fact that every mare ages at a different rate. Answering this question with a particular age would be writing many mares off when they have many fertile years ahead of them and over extending the fertile years of others. Some mares can carry foals well into their twenties, while others begin experiencing difficulties before their teens.

Sub-fertility can be caused by several factors. Damage to the cervix, damage to the endometrium (uterine lining), damage to or non-patency of the vestibulovaginal seal, pneumovagina (wind sucking), and urine pooling are the most common age related physical changes. Some of these conditions can be surgically repaired to extend the reproductive years of your mare.

Then, there are the frustrating mares that seem to have no apparent reason for their sub-fertility. Age related changes in their endocrinology such as Cushing’s Syndrome are often to blame. They conceive and foal one year with ease, the next year it takes two cycles, the next three cycles, etc. EquiGen’s knowledgeable team of veterinarian and endocrinologist has successfully extended the reproductive lives of these broodmares through treatment with Eastern and Western medicine.

Ultimately, you must determine how much time and money you as the owner wish to put into breeding an aged mare. EquiGen’s veterinarian consults with you to maintain your broodmare’s reproductive health as long as possible, helping you make the decision to retire your broodmare on your own terms, not your banks.

My mare keeps "resorbing" her babies. Could embryo transfer be a solution?

The loss of a pregnancy is always tragic and can happen to the best of mares. If your mare can conceive, but not carry a foal to term, embryo transfer can be the answer to her reproductive quandary. Contact us for more information

Pros and Cons of foal heat breeding?

The most significant pro to breeding a mare on foal heat is to potentially maintain the inter-foaling interval at 12 months or less. There are many variables that should be discussed as cons, such as delayed involution of the uterus, persistent endometritis, difficulty teasing the mare due to protective behavior toward the foal, and higher early embryonic death rates. There is evidence that the best results occur if the mare ovulates 10 or more days post-foaling due to the dominant follicle developing after parturition as apposed to a follicle that developed before foaling (considered old) and ovulated prior to 10 days post partum.

If foal heat breeding is not advised by the superb veterinary team at EquiGen, other options include short cycling the post-partum mare 5 days after her foal-heat ovulation allowing for breeding 10 days before the second natural cycle would occur. Each foaling your broodmare has is different, as is each mare, so discuss the pros and cons with EquiGen’s veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your mare.

Does EquiGen foal out mares?

Yes, EquiGen provides parturition management. Mares foal under supervision housed in oversized, rubber matted, concrete block stalls. Contact us for more information on pricing.

May I ride my pregnant mare?

By all means, ride your pregnant mare! Maintaining her fitness will assist her during parturition and recovery. Although pregnant mares can be ridden moderately, it is important to remember that your mare’s body is changing and not push her beyond her limits. Canter pirouettes are probably out.

How can TCVM/Acupuncture help my mare/stallion’s fertility?

Fertility can be improved by acupuncture and TCVM through an ancient form of medicine that aligns acupuncture, chinese medicine, food therapy and lifestyle medicine to bring the individual back into “balance”. The reproductive system is the “sacrificial lamb” or “canary in the mining shaft”. If there is something wrong with an animal, the reproductive status of the animal is the first system to take the hit as a non-essential process. In other words, the body has bigger problems than reproducing itself. TCVM and or acupuncture in the hands of a trained veterinarian can enhance your horse’s chance of reproductive success. We believe in it so strongly that we offer it as a free additional service if you choose. Contact us for details or follow Dr. Meisenburg’s TCVM link to her page at myTCVMvet.com.

What are the recommendations on breeding a laminitic mare/stallion?

There are many reasons for horses to succumb to laminitis, from simple “dietary indiscretions” to endocrine disorders. The bottom line is that painful horses do not conceive or produce embryos well. Horses that have stable feet with little pain can be managed well if their primary reason for the laminitis is/was not due to unresolved endocrine disorders. It is important to identify the cause of the laminitis, and to control the pain. Both Dr. Meisenburg and Heather Greaves have strong backgrounds and a “nerdy/science-geek” interest in endocrinology. Let our experience benefit your mare or stallion.

Stallion Management

What can I do to help my stallion’s fertility?

Stallions can have fertility issues for a number of reasons. Illness that results in a fever damages stored sperm cells, non-sweating resulting in overheating, and testicular degeneration are some of the most common causes. Following a fever or over-heating the damaged sperm cells are replaced by healthy, new cells by the end of 60 days. Some, but not all fertility issues can be treated with changes to management in housing, stallion paddock placement or simple diet. At EquiGen, we aim to find and rule out these easy and economical solutions to your stallion’s issues.

Does EquiGen provide stallion semen collection?

EquiGen provides training of the stallion to be collected on a phantom, semen collection, evaluation and packaging for cooled semen shipment, as well as semen freezing and storage in our regularly monitored liquid nitrogen tanks. If a mare owner has a question about a stallion of which they are contracted to breed, our veterinarian and staff are available to answer their questions.

Does EquiGen perform live cover with stallions?

Yes. In some situations live cover is performed via hand breeding. Every precaution is taken to keep both mare and stallion safe during hand breeding at EquiGen.

Does EquiGen collect and freeze stallion semen?

Yes, EquiGen provides stallion collection, freezing and storage services. Storage includes detailed record keeping and EquiGen's friendly, knowledgeable team for you and your client's reference. Contact us for pricing information.

Does EquiGen store and ship frozen semen?

Yes, EquiGen provides safe, secure storage and shipping services. Storage includes detailed record keeping and EquiGen's friendly knowledgeable team for you and your client's reference. Contact us for pricing information.

How is frozen semen shipped?

Frozen semen is stored and shipped in liquid nitrogen. There are two types of shippers, dry and wet. The most commonly used is the vapor shipper (dry) which maintains its charge for a short amount of time, a week to two weeks depending on the model. These shippers are popular for their lighter weights and non-hazardous shipping status. They require up to 24 hours of preparation to ensure optimal performance before loading for shipping. For more information about protocols for ordering frozen semen, please visit our Frozen Semen Services page under Client Information.

Where is EquiGen approved to ship frozen semen?

EquiGen is capable of shipping semen anywhere within the United States. For our stallion owners who wish to have semen collected for international distribution, we are happy to act as your stallion’s liaison to the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.

How old is too old to breed a stallion?

Although each stallion ages differently, their semen quality generally declines with age. As with a mare, there are physiological and endocrinological changes that occur that can cause a natural decline in fertility. Although not even the EquiGen team can stop or reverse the passage of time and the effect it has on longevity, many degenerative processes can be identified early allowing the decline of a stallion’s fertility to be slowed and in some cases thwarted. Annual semen evaluations performed by EquiGen’s veterinarian diagnose any unusual declines in their patient’s semen quality allowing changes to be made to maintain the mature stallion’s breeding potential.

Physical difficulty with breeding due to chronic pain from arthritic changes or injury in the hind limbs can affect a stallion’s ability to mount a mare or phantom. A stallion with mounting difficulties can be trained to be collected from the ground thereby extending his breeding career. EquiGen has many tools available to identify your stallion’s physical limitations and multiple modes of therapy and treatment if needed. From digital radiograph evaluation, acupuncture and TCVM modalities to several of the most cutting edge referral hospitals and equine surgeons within close proximity to work with on behalf of your stallion’s best interest, EquiGen is dedicated to finding the best solutions for your stallion.

How young is too young to breed a stallion?

A stallion is too young when he fails the breeding soundness exam. Sexual maturity is highly variable to the sexual development of the INDIVIDUAL. Historically, most stallions are able to handle some amount of booking by the age of three and their fertility improves as they mature. Ultimately, it depends on how you wish to use the young stallion. If he is to be placed in a pasture with mares to breed at his leisure, he should be at least two years of age and the number of mares he will be able to successfully cover will vary widely. The same stallion bred via artificial insemination may not be able to carry as large a book. He may not be able to handle a book at all.
Ideally, a breeding soundness exam is performed to identify when your stallion is capable of getting a mare in foal. They must have developed good libido and sexual skills in order to successfully mount and breed a mare or phantom and their semen must be of good quality and concentration. EquiGen’s quality veterinarian and staff regularly evaluate young stallions to determine their potential fertility, consulting with owners to responsibly manage their adolescent stallions.

How can TCVM/Acupuncture help my mare/stallion’s fertility?

Fertility can be improved by acupuncture and TCVM through an ancient form of medicine that aligns acupuncture, chinese medicine, food therapy and lifestyle medicine to bring the individual back into “balance”. The reproductive system is the “sacrificial lamb” or “canary in the mining shaft”. If there is something wrong with an animal, the reproductive status of the animal is the first system to take the hit as a non-essential process. In other words, the body has bigger problems than reproducing itself. TCVM and or acupuncture in the hands of a trained veterinarian can enhance your horse’s chance of reproductive success. We believe in it so strongly that we offer it as a free additional service if you choose. Contact us for details or follow Dr. Meisenburg’s TCVM link to her page at myTCVMvet.com.

What are the recommendations on breeding a laminitic mare/stallion?

There are many reasons for horses to succumb to laminitis, from simple “dietary indiscretions” to endocrine disorders. The bottom line is that painful horses do not conceive or produce embryos well. Horses that have stable feet with little pain can be managed well if their primary reason for the laminitis is/was not due to unresolved endocrine disorders. It is important to identify the cause of the laminitis, and to control the pain. Both Dr. Meisenburg and Heather Greaves have strong backgrounds and a “nerdy/science-geek” interest in endocrinology. Let our experience benefit your mare or stallion.

Embryo Transfer

What is embryo transfer?

Embryo transfer is a technique that allows the movement of a fertilized egg from a donor mare to a recipient mare.

What makes an EquiGen recipient mare?

Each recipient mare must be at least 15 hands, age 3 to 10 years, have good reproductive health and anatomy, be halter broken and fairly sound. Physical appearances do not matter. EquiGen subjects each recipient to a uterine biopsy test (must be a Kenney Grade I or IIA) and uterine culture to ensure their quality. EquiGen's mares are treated as lovestock, not livestock.

How many embryo transfer foals can my mare have per year?

Theoretically your mare can have one foal for each egg she ovulates in a breeding season. However, your mare should be monitored closely for any signs of complications due to frequent breeding. Many breed registries limit the number of offspring/mare/year whether they are gestated naturally or by embryo transfer in a recipient mare. Be sure to check with your breed registry for more specifics before you begin the breeding and embryo transfer process.

Does EquiGen provide breeding management of the embryo donor mare?

Yes. Contact us for an estimate based on your mare's specific needs.

May I provide my own recipient mare?

You are welcome to provide your own recipient mares. Contact us for more information.

Will the foal take on any of the recipient mare's traits?

Though the foal will not be genetically related to its recipient mother, it may or may not learn behavioral traits from the recipient. For this reason, EquiGen strives to provide you with quality recipient mares who are easy to handle and behaviorally acceptable.

Question of the Month Archive

What is EVA/CEM?

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) is caused by the bacteria known as Taylorella equigenitalis that is transmitted as a venereal disease. Stallions are asymptomatic carriers and can be diagnosed via culture of the urethral fossa, urethra, or sheath. Infected mares can be diagnosed by culture of the clitoral fossa.

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is caused by the equine arteritis virus with an incubation period of 28 days. Reproductive concerns include abortion in pregnant mares, death to young foals and breeding stallion’s becoming permanent carriers.

The following links and articles provide EquiGen’s clients with technical information about EVA and CEM issues within the United States.

USDA Publication – EVA, Equine Viral Arteritis and the U.S. Horse Industry
www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/eva/

CEM Outbreak: American Horse Council sends letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary about restrictions The American Horse Council expressed concern over the current CEM outbreak in a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The AHC states concerns over the current CEM occurrence and investigation, and the need to find the source of this outbreak, complete the investigation, eradicate the disease and return the U.S. to a CEM-free country status.

Since the first detection of CEM in a stallion in Kentucky, Mexico implemented export restrictions by prohibiting any horses from the state of Kentucky. Since then, the USDA and Mexico have been in negotiations over the Kentucky prohibition and additional restrictions on exporting U.S. horses into Mexico. The USDA continues to negotiate with Mexico on these restrictions, particularly for horses being exported temporarily, and to determine at what point a state becomes CEM free. The protocols for exportation to Mexico can be found on the USDA Web site.
Information courtesy of the American Horse Council.