| Artificial Insemination |
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The equine artificial insemination technique was developed in the early 1980s and has many advantages.
The semen can be diluted into several doses, which increases the number of mares a single stallion can inseminate - 4-6 mares from a single sample. Stallions are therefore 5 times more productive. They spend less time covering and can easily pursue their competitive career alongside that of breeder. Also, the fact that there is no physical contact between stallions and mares practically eliminates the risk of venereal disease. Breeding stallions systematically undergo medical examinations and the mares get regular gynaecological care. Sanitary hygiene is thus kept at a high standard and the results are excellent, since the semen is deposited directly on the cervix uteri, which is not a sure thing in natural coupling. In addition, frozen semen can be used in artificial insemination, meaning that a stallion's production can be prolonged artificially, that is to say after castration or death. Insemination should take place within 24 hours of ovulation, ideally. The mare is monitored by ultrasound and the semen injected when the ovarian follicle is about to release. Ultrasound is performed 18 days later and if the follicle is still intact, the mare is not pregnant and will have to be inseminated once again. The mare needs the same careful preparation for insemination as she does for coupling. Artificial insemination is conducted by a veterinarian, who injects the semen into the uterus using a syringe and a probe. All instruments are sterilised before use. |










