• Comprehensive consultation and examinations for breeding soundness
• Semen collection, semen storage and shipping of semen
• Artificial insemination
• Pregnancy checks and monitoring of high-risk pregnancies
• Foaling observation and obstetrical interventions
• Health check in newborn foals
• Intensive care for critically ill foals

Is my mare suitable for artificial insemination (AI)?

A breeding soundness examination provides information about the reproductive health of your mare and allows a prognosis if she can carry a pregnancy to term.

This examination includes a thorough assessment of the reproductive system by means of rectal examination, diagnostic ultrasonography, bacteriology and, in certain cases, a uterine biopsy to assess integrity and function of the endometrium. Also possible causes of fertility problems (e.g., if the mare did not conceive last year or lost the foal during pregnancy) can be diagnosed.

A breeding soundness examination should be carried out at the beginning of the breeding season (February/March), especially if case of fertility problems in the previous year.

Fresh or frozen semen?

Depending on the results from the breeding soundness examination, recommendations can be whether your mare is suitable for artificial insemination. We are also happy to advise you on which type of semen (chilled semen or frozen semen) is best for your mare. Certain mares, e.g., those with age-related alteration in the uterus, should preferably be inseminated with fresh semen.

The right stallion?

Artificial insemination gives you the opportunity to choose the father of your future foal from a wide range of sires. We are happy to assist you in selecting the right stallion.

Preparation for insemination

Once you have chosen a stallion, we will contact the stud farm or insemination center where the stallion is based on your behalf and we organize transport of the desired to Austria. The import of frozen semen from abroad can take longer and may be more expensive (health certificates, customs clearance). It is therefore important to organize this well in advance. Fresh semen imports from neighboring countries can be organized at short notice. At our center, all semen doses are examined microscopically before use. Mares are inseminated during heat depending on the stage of ovarian follicle development. Please pre-register your mare with us by telephone and bring at the beginning of heat. If you are unable to determine when your mare is in heat, you are welcome to bring at any time. During estrus, your mare will undergo a gynecological examination once daily for AI with chilled shipped semen or up to every 6 hours when using frozen semen.

One insemination is often sufficient. If the mare continues to be in heat after AI with fresh semen, she will be inseminated again after 48 hours. With frozen semen, the best time for insemination is immediately after ovulation.

Important follow-up check

The day after insemination, the uterus of your mare is checked for any accumulation of fluid. Residual fluid in the uterus can prevent the mare from getting pregnant. If ovulation has occurred and the uterus is free of fluid, you can take your mare home or, if you wish, she can remain at our station until pregnancy diagnosis. When can pregnancy be confirmed? The pregnancy diagnosis is performed approximately 18 days after ovulation. If the mare has ovulated two follicles, the pregnancy test will be performed after only 14 days so that, in the event of a twin pregnancy, it is possible to reduce it to a single pregnancy.