Interested in breeding your mare this season? We can provide all of your reproduction services and support.
Our reproduction services are led by Equine Vet João who has extensive experience in artificial insemination, embryo transfer and semen collection and freezing. Breeding services can be performed either out of our Awapuni clinic or Sakura Park.
Services include:
- Artificial insemination (fresh, chilled, frozen)
- Embryo transfer
- Pregnancy scanning
- Semen collection and freezing
- Poor fertility workup
- Pregnant mare management
Sakura Park
We are partnering with Sakura Park this breeding season to take the hassle out of getting your mare in foal. Sakura Parks purpose-built equine facilities and grazing agistment provide total peace of mind.
Sakura Park can offer use of their facilities as well as full grazing agistment and care during this period providing a safe space for veterinary work, limiting on travel and saving on call out fees.
Commonly asked questions
Question: How do we determine the best timing for insemination and does this vary depending on the method used (live cover, fresh/chilled semen, frozen semen)
Answer: The best way to determine timing is through scanning. When using either live cover or fresh/chilled semen we have a larger window for insemination as the semen is alive for longer. When using frozen semen, we need to inseminate as close to ovulation as possible as we have a smaller window of on average 6 hours.
Question: What facilities are required?
Answer: A good equine crush is required to ensure the safety of your mare, handler and vet. If you don’t have these facilities, services can be performed either out of our Awapuni clinic or Sakura Park. Talk to us to find out more.
Question: How long is a mare’s cycle?
Answer: On average a mare’s cycle is 21 days. Cycle length can change depending on the time of the year, breed, age etc. The mare is in heat for 4 to7 days and normally ovulates 3 to 6 days after behavioural changes.
Q: How many scans are typically needed prior to insemination and post insemination?
A: In the most perfect scenario where the mare is ready for AI after the first scan, she will have one the next day during AI and another 24hours later to check for fluids and ovulation followed by a 15, 20 and 24 day scan. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and it’s much more typical for a mare to require more scans prior to starting her heat. Generally, between 10 to 20 scans are more common.
Question: How can I increase the chances of conception?
Answer: There are several factors that can affect fertility including age, nutrition, genetics, weather etc. While there is no simple answer, we must remember all factors are related to the mare and stallion. When working with a Repro Vet you have more variables under control which increases the pregnancy rate.
Question: What is the likelihood of twin pregnancies and how are these managed?
Answer: In NZ we would be somewhere between 15-20% twins depending on the time of the year and breed. The most important pregnancy scan is the 15 days one. Here your Repro Vet can identify if you mare has twins (or triplets!) and safely terminate one of the pregnancies. In the early stages we have a high success rate. The older the pregnancy the worst the results.
Question: How long is a mare’s pregnancy?
Answer: On average in NZ, we say around 342 days, but a mares gestation length does depend on factors like breed, age and time of year etc. Normal gestations can range from 300 to 400 days. We can scan your mare to make sure both her and the foal are doing well.
For more information, please get in touch with our Awapuni clinic on 06 356 5011
