Artificial Insemination Of The Mare

The artificial insemination of the mare  is an important element for all breeders. Due to the fact that it allows an improvement of the progeny, both from the medical point of view and the characteristics of the races, it is destined to become more and more important and widespread.

Being able to introduce male seminal fluid into the female’s reproductive system, without the presence of the stallion, is in itself an excellent advantage. In this article we will tell you, in an exhaustive way, about the artificial insemination of the mare .

Why doesn’t the mare like artificial insemination?

There was an initial rejection of this technique. Many were convinced that it was less effective than the “natural” process. On the contrary, it guarantees much higher success rates. In fact, thanks to the veterinary control it is possible to manage and choose fertile and adequate doses of male semen, protecting the well-being of the mare at all times.

However, the artificial insemination of the mare is much more limited, compared to what happens with dairy cows. However, it should be remembered that frozen sperm samples maintain a higher degree of fertility in the bovine species. This is due to the fact that equine spermatozoa are not as tolerant to low temperatures.

Keep in mind that only 30% of horses have acceptable fertilizing capacity once the cryopreservation process is complete.

All this without forgetting the fact that mares need more doses of semen, making this technique much less profitable than in cattle. However, the bitch’s artificial insemination is much more effective than normal copulation.

Advantages of artificial insemination of the mare

Although insemination in cattle is more advanced and requires less care, the potential for artificial insemination of the bitch is undeniable. For example, if we talk about deep fertilization techniques, it  is possible to compensate for the low fecundity of frozen equine sperm. In addition, obviously, to use and “waste” less.

In addition to the greater reproductive success of artificial insemination, the mare is spared the dangerous stress of copulation. The whole process is carried out in an environment without counterproductive elements.

They also increase the  chances of pregnancy for mares with a low fertility index . These are conditions that can be caused by various causes. For example, let’s talk about uterine deficiencies, some typical diseases of the horse or simple old age.

Artificial insemination of the mare, among other things, reduces the intensity of the inflammatory response in the uterus after fertilization, increasing the chances of the mare becoming pregnant.

Things to know about the bitch’s artificial insemination

However, many still prefer to stick to tradition. The choice of artificial insemination in mares or mating depends on many factors. For example, the type of horse breed, reproductive management, facilities, animal behavior and available personnel.

The only real disadvantage of artificial insemination lies in the need for qualified personnel. This can represent a considerable investment, especially if the technique is repeated in a short time. But remember, the success rate should be enough to encourage this practice.

In the case of mares who are about to be inseminated, rectal examination using ultrasound is necessary to evaluate the appropriate time for insemination. It is necessary to observe the appearance of the preovulatory follicle, its size and shape. In addition to the thickness of the walls. This is especially important when using cryopreserved semen. The advice is that, in these cases, the intervals between ultrasound scans are shortened to six hours.