Breeding with frozen semen gives mare owners more options to create the ideal match for their mares. It allows access to a wider range of genetics, including older, proven bloodlines, like Contango, Preferent, Sir Sinclair, Keur and Teade 392, Sport. Frozen also offers the flexibility of breeding at the time your mare is most likely to get in foal. While the benefits of using frozen semen are enticing, not all frozen semen is equal and it’s not just a question of motility. Many factors contribute to the health and effectiveness of frozen semen.
At Iron Spring Farm, we work with Select Breeders Services (SBS) to ensure each dose is properly collected, processed, stored, and shipped. SBS also conducts the semen analysis we provide to mare owners. It’s important to share this information with your veterinarian who will help you plan your mare’s management for optimal likelihood of successful breeding.
Here are a few useful questions to ask when considering purchasing frozen semen:
- How is the semen collected, processed, and stored?
Semen should be free of pathogens and environmental contaminants.
2. Who evaluates the semen?
The answer is, ideally, an independent lab.
3. How many straws are provided in a dose?
This will vary per stallion, per lab or by contract.
4. What is the anticipated post-thaw progressive motility?
Progressive motility is defined as sperm that are swimming in a mostly straight line or in large circles, rather than inactive or swimming in tight circles. Progressive motility is more relevant than total motility.
While motility is incredibly important, it is only one factor in fertility. Sperm health, including the sperm morphology (size and shape) and health of the cell membranes, are also critical for successful breeding. Some stallions may have lower amounts of sperm and lower motility rates, but still have highly fertile frozen semen.
Of course, it’s not just the semen quality that impacts whether your mare gets in foal. You will want to work closely with your veterinarian pre-breeding to ensure your mare is healthy and ready to be bred. From there you and your veterinarian will develop a breeding plan, as well as a plan for continued care throughout pregnancy.
If you’re interested in learning more, Select Breeders Services has an entire library of articles on breeding with frozen semen. You can check it out here.
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Disclaimer:
All content provided by Iron Spring Farm is general and for informational purposes only. Content may also not constitute the most up to date information. Nothing in this content is intended to constitute veterinarian advice or to serve as a substitute for consultation with a veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified provider with any questions that you may have about the treatment and care of your horse.
Any reliance that you place on the information provided is strictly at your own risk and Iron Spring Farm, its officers, employees, representatives, and agents, hereby disclaim any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, consequential or other damages arising directly or indirectly from access to or use of any content provided to the maximum extent permitted by law.
