Reproduction & Stud Medicine
Breeding Success
At EVR we have a particular interest and expertise in reproductive work. We also offer advice on breeding stallions, foals and young stock and general stud management.
We provide an ambulatory service for both public and private studs and for individual mare owners, with procedures carried out at your own premises if facilities permit.
For owners who would rather send their mares away, we have boarding facilities for mares at New Barn Farm, Launton, Bicester.
Artificial Insemination
EVR has been approved by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) to perform insemination with both chilled and frozen semen. We have a similar, high success rates for both chilled and frozen AI; our average end of season pregnancy rates (combined 1st/ 2nd cycle figures) are consistently over 80% for both chilled and frozen. Artificial insemination can be used on all mares EXCEPT for those Thoroughbreds whose progeny are to be registered with the Weatherbys General Stud Book.
Mares for insemination with both fresh and chilled semen usually require only once daily scanning which can usually be performed at your own premises. When examination with the mare in stocks is more appropriate, they can be brought into our base in Launton. Any mare that is sound for breeding should be suitable for insemination with chilled/ fresh semen. It may also prove a more successful method for mares who have previously failed to conceive by natural cover.
Mares for insemination with frozen semen require more frequent scanning. We continue to achieve excellent conception rates with frozen semen with very frequent scanning of the mare to accurately identify time of ovulation. Generally, we require these mares to board at New Barn Farm for this period. Conception rates with frozen semen are known to reduce with increasing mare age although we have had excellent pregnancy rates even with 16+ year old maiden mares.
We offer fixed-price, per-cycle ‘packages’ which include all necessary ultrasound examinations prior to insemination, use of ovulation induction agent, insemination, post-insemination ultrasound examination for fluid and to check ovulation status and pregnancy scans at 14 and 28 days.
These do not include the cost of travel to the place of residence of the mare (charged at £1/ mile for a return trip from the practice at Maids Moreton), any additional drugs or procedures necessary to maximise the chances of the mare becoming pregnant (Caslick's procedure, treatment of fluid post insemination etc), any additional pregnancy scans, reduction of twins or foetal sexing.
We are unable to inseminate mares with semen that is not accompanied by the correct health papers. Every year we have issues either with the courier not delivering on time or with semen turning up without health papers. In such cases a new cycle will need to be started, though we do provide it at a reduced cost. If this occurs, we recommend you seek compensation for reimbursement of veterinary fees from the semen provider or courier company.
Natural Cover:
We are able to provide veterinary services for Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred mares for natural cover. We will examine mares on your own premises, or they can be brought to us to be scanned in stocks if necessary to ensure optimum timing for a single cover per cycle.
Embryo Transfer:
We are able to flush mares to retrieve embryos for those on embryo transfer programmes at our premises. Flushing of the uterus is performed 8-9 days after ovulation. Once the embryos have been retrieved, they can be packaged for transportation to a pre-arranged donor mare. Due the precise synchronisation required between donor and recipient mare we recommend using a commercially supplied donor mare.
Foetal Sexing:
We are also able to offer foetal sexing of embryos at between 63-70 days of gestation.
Other Services:
Infertility investgations
Pre and post-foaling checks
Assessment and management of foals
Correction of limb angulation problems (farriery/ surgery)