How does live cover work?

Is live cover better for horses than artificial insemination?

In general, there is a perception that live cover has a better pregnancy rate per cycle than artificial insemination. Again, this isn’t always true – it depends on how the stallion is being managed, his age and soundness, the number of mares he’s booked to, the type of mare he’s breeding, and more.

How does artificial insemination (AI) work?

From this point, semen arrives to the mare in one of three ways: fresh, cooled, or frozen. For AI using fresh semen, the mare and stallion are at the same location; semen is collected from the stallion and infused directly into the mare.

What are the advantages of artificial insemination in horses?

Advantages of AI in horses Greatly reduces risk of disease transmission Stallions may be bred to more mares since one ejaculate can be split into several doses Samples can be transported worldwide using cooled or frozen semen, offering mare owners more choices in selecting a stallion

What is artificial insemination in horses?

Artificial insemination (AI) is the process of introducing semen from a donor stallion into a mare when she is in estrus by means other than sexual intercourse to achieve pregnancy. The process has been used in livestock for decades, especially cattle, but more recently the practice has become more utilized in horses.

When can I check the mare for pregnancy after artificial insemination?

The mare should be checked for pregnancy after AI procedure, within 14 to 16 days, so that if she is not impregnated AI can be attempted again at the next ovulation cycle.

Can You inseminate a horse with frozen semen?

Artificial insemination (A.I.) can be performed with fresh, chilled or frozen semen, and contraception rates are usually good. However, to achieve good contraception rates, the mare’s oestrus cycle needs to be monitored carefully to establish exactly when to inseminate her (as close to ovulation as possible) to achieve the best results.

Can artificial insemination work in the beef industry?

The beef industry, for example, routinely uses frozen semen successfully, while the equine industry still struggles to find a way to achieve a satisfactory pregnancy rate with that approach. (One country that has made heavy use of AI for a number of years, says Pickett, is China.

Can I breed my mare through artificial insemination?

Breeding your mare through artificial insemination can be a rewarding and exciting event. It requires a thoughtful matching of not only your mare, but of the prospective stallion.

How do you know when a horse is ready to inseminate?

Frozen semen is the most expensive and has the least successful insemination rate. To ensure that the mare is in estrus, and ready to ovulate, an ultrasound can be performed regularly to monitor when the ovarian follicle reaches 35mm and the mare shows signs of heat cycle.

How often should I Check my mares for pregnancy?

Typical intervals for checking mares are: Day 14 to 16 – confirms initial pregnancy and looks for twins. Day 26 to 30 – confirms heartbeat and fact that fetus is alive.

What is equine artificial insemination?

Equine Artificial Insemination Explained. Artificial insemination is an assisted reproductive technique which consists of the manual depositing of live motile spermatozoa (either fresh, cooled, or frozen) into the mare’s uterus at an optimal time for conception. With national foaling rates generally falling between just 50 to 60 percent…

How long does it take to inseminate a mare?

From time of arrival to insemination will be approximately 1-3 weeks. You can then take your mare home, or leave her at the stud for her 14 day scan onwards. If you take your mare away from most studs, and she is not pregnant, you will have to get a new set of blood tests and swabs done before she can be readmitted.

Is fixed-time artificial insemination a cost-effective method of cattle breeding?

Experts say that fixed-time artificial insemination is a cost-effective method of producing genetically superior replacement bulls and heifers.

Are South American beef herds using artificial insemination?

Mapletoft says it was reported recently that the use of AI in South American beef herds is near 10%, primarily because of the use of FTAI.

Why can’t we breed artificial insemination in horses?

The most common reason is that artificial insemination dilutes the gene pool and creates inferior horses. Inferior mares would have access to semen through AI that they don’t have under the current rules. Reproduction by inferior mares will result in an abundance of low-quality horses

Is it normal for a horse to sweat during birthing?

Birthing is hard on your mare’s body. It’s not unusual to encounter sweating across the neck, flanks and body both in the lead up to and during delivery. Prior to foaling, your mare may feel warm and damp, and many mares will sweat as labour approaches.

How do you check a pregnant mare for twins?

One schedule is as follows: 1) days 14–18—check for pregnancy and twins; if open, mare can be rebred on days 19–20; 2) days 25–30—evaluate normal embryo development (heartbeat present at 24–25 days), recheck for twins; 3) days 40–60—evaluate normal fetal development; 4) fall check—confirm mare is still pregnant.

How soon can you tell if a mare is pregnant?

Beyond the absence of an oestrus cycle, mares may not show any visible signs of pregnancy for the first three months. Pregnancy can be confirmed by ultrasound after approximately two weeks after the breeding took place.

How often should I have my mare scanned for pregnancy?

This will depend on the individual mare’s requirements. Normally in the first few days, your mare will be scanned every other day to establish where she is in her cycle. As she approaches ovulation she may be scanned 2 or even 3 times per day in order to inseminate at the ideal time.

What happens to mares after insemination?

Some of these mares are also insensitive to the ovulatory drugs we use. After insemination, some mares (especially older maidens) become inflamed, pooling uterine fluid or worse, become infected.