Reproductive Services At Southwest Equine

The breeding season is upon us and at Southwest Equine we offer a range of stud medicine services. Our reproductive services include; broodmare management, ‘problem mare’ investigations, artificial inseminations as well as foal management and post foaling checks.

Broodmare management

Southwest Equine offers breeding soundness evaluation, which allows us to assess the suitability of your mare for breeding. This includes an examination of the external anatomy, and a thorough assessment of the cervix, uterus and ovaries via rectal palpation and ultrasound. At this time, we are not only determining the stage of the mare’s cycle, but we are also able to detect any abnormalities that may be present.
Regular ultrasound examination during breeding allows us to detect follicular activity and therefore determine the timing of ovulation. Post-breeding ultrasound is also important, as it allows us to detect and address any potential issues (ie. fluid, infection) that could impact the mare’s ability to conceive. Pregnancy detection can be performed as early as 14 days post-ovulation.

‘Problem Mares’

Investigation of ‘problem mares’ (ie. sub-fertile mares or those with a history of pregnancy loss) is another service that we can provide at Southwest Equine. Investigations of this nature set out to detect any reproductive abnormalities that may be present, thereby allowing us to formulate a specific treatment/management plan for the mare.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

AI allows breeders the opportunity to access stallions from all over the world.

Steps involved in the chilled AI cycle:

• Mare breeding evaluation as discussed above.
• Co-ordination with the stallion owner to organise the timing of collection and transport of semen.
• Pre-breeding ultrasounds to determine where the mare is up to in her cycle.
• Ordering of semen: Semen will be ordered when the mare is approaching ovulation. The stud/collection centre will normally charge a separate collection and shipping fee.
• Insemination – insemination of chilled semen can be performed up to 48 hours prior to ovulation.
• Post insemination scans and treatments: Post-breeding ultrasound is necessary to ensure that the mare has ovulated, and to check for uterine fluid/infection. Post-breeding uterine lavage and antibiotic treatment may be recommended at this stage.
• Pregnancy scans: these are performed at 15-, 25- and 45-days post-ovulation.

Please note, for the 2021_22 season Southwest Equine are not offering frozen AI services. However, we can assist with setting-up mares for breeding and post breeding scans.