SHIPPED SEMEN READING FOR BROODMARE OWNERS
Mare owners that want to use Shipped Semen need to be planning and preparing their mares early. Give your vet a heads up before you start the breeding season so your vet can get you on his schedule. Listed here are tips to help the mare owner gear up for a successful breeding season.
PLAN AHEAD
A good working relationship with your vet and the stallion manager will help speed the process along. Your vet will want to know what days the stallion farm ships semen so he can manage your mare's ovulation to coincide with those shipping dates. Your vet will want to know what kind of time frame you are working toward and also the breeding season dates of the stallion.
OPEN MARES
If your mare is open, a breeding soundness examination would be a good first step in readying your mare for breeding. If you wait until the vet arrives to check her prior to that first breeding and find she does have reproductive problems, you will lose valuable time getting her healthy and postpone your breeding by weeks. If you want to breed your open mare early in the year, February for instance, the mare needs to be put under artificial lighting 60 days prior to your target date.
SHIPPING TIPS
Most semen is shipped overnight using a ground delivery service. When you use overnight ground services, make sure you write down the tracking number so you can track the shipment immediately if the shipment doesn't arrive on time. Be there when it arrives.
COUNTER TO COUNTER
However, there are times when semen will need to be shipped via the airlines in order to meet the mare's ovulation schedule. Mare owners need to plan ahead and know the routine of picking up their package at the airport. Since 911, airline regulations have tightened. You will need a photo ID to pick up a package at the airport. Make sure the package is addressed to your farm name, not an individual name. This way, anyone from your farm can pick up the package. Contact your airport for procedures on picking up your package beforehand.
WAITING FOR YOUR VET
When waiting for your vet to arrive to inseminate your mare with the shipped semen, keep the container in a cool place and do not open the container until the vet arrives. |
