This year we updated and simplified our breeding contracts. We now offer four breeding options:
● Two-Season Cooled Semen
● Per Dose Cooled Semen
● Per Dose Frozen Semen
● Embryo Transfer
With so many choices you may wonder which contract is right for your mare, your goals and your situation. Here’s a primer.
The Basics
A breeding contract is a legal document between the farm or stallion owner and the individual or entity who signs the contract. Every stallion owner or farm has their own contracts, so be sure to read everything carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
Our breeding contracts detail all the fees: breeding fee (includes the reservation fee, also known as the booking fee), any sales tax, shipping fees and shipping container deposits.
The ISF contracts also include details about when and how to order semen. The ISF stallions are collected Monday through Friday. Requests for semen must be made by 8:00 p.m. Eastern the day preceding collection and shipment or pickup. Why? We schedule the collection technician the night before based on requests.
Two-Season Cooled Semen
Highlights of this of contract:
● This contract is for one mare.
● Includes a live foal guarantee. Unless the mare is sold, then the LFG is void.
● This contract gives you two breeding seasons to get your mare in foal, ideal if your mare is young, older, currently pregnant, or has reproductive challenges and may require multiple inseminations in order to settle.
● If your mare fails to conceive with the contracted stallion, you have the option of substituting a different ISF stallion.
● If the contracted mare is no longer suitable for breeding, in most cases ISF will allow a substitute mare. We want your mare to have a foal.
● Cooled semen may not be frozen for future use.
● No intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is permitted under this contract.
Who is this for: the mare owner who wants the best opportunity to get their mare in foal.
Per Dose Cooled Semen
Highlights of this of contract:
● Contract is for one mare.
● Lower stud fee compared to the two-season cooled semen contract.
● One opportunity to get your mare in foal.
● No live foal guarantee.
● Cooled semen may not be frozen for future use.
● No embryo transfer or ICSI permitted under this contract.
● Late notification for semen requests may be accommodated as single doses may be available after collection.
Who this is for: those breeding late in the season (let’s take one last shot!), those with a show mare on hiatus from the ring (let’s see if she gets in foal), a mare with unknown or questionable reproductive history (can she get in foal?), a mare not getting in foal with frozen semen or a mare in contract with another stallion who can’t be collected when your mare needs semen (due to competing or injury).
Per Dose Frozen Semen
Highlights of this contract:
● Contract is for one dose of frozen semen that can be used at your discretion.
● You can use the semen on any mare.
● You can store the semen for future use.
● Within 14 days of purchase, the semen must be shipped to you or you must arrange storage at your expense with SBS.
● No live foal guarantee.
Who this is for: mare owners wanting to breed to a stallion who’s not available fresh, those wanting flexibility in usage and those wanting to bank semen for future use.
Embryo Transfer
Highlights of this contract:
● Contract is the same as the two-season cooled contract with the addition of embryo transfer.
● Includes a LFG.
● A stud fee is required for each embryo that is flushed and frozen or confirmed at 30 days in the recipient mare.
● No LFG if you freeze the embryo(s).
Who this is for: performance mares, older mares or mares who cannot carry to term.
Technology has created many paths to successful equine reproduction. Contact us with questions about the best choice for your mare and your goals.
