Below are the most frequently asked questions and answers about our Frozen Semen Horse Breeding Program.
Click on the question to get the answer.
Everyone one I speak with, both reproduction veterinarians and breeders alike, tell me that a normal dose of frozen semen is 500 million cells, and yet your contract says the industry standard is 300 million. Can you provide me with some reference point that will demonstrate that the industry standard is 300 million?
A “dose” of frozen horse semen is now defined by the World Federation of Sporthorses as a single insemination unit which includes a minimum of 250 million progressively motile sperm, which, upon proper thawing show at least a 30% post thaw motility. (These are industry minimum standards). I would say that the average progressive post thaw motility of the stallions I have here is 45% (some are > 60% PPTM); at 250 million total progressive sperm cells per insemination dose. As each collection/freeze of any stallion can be different, with different concentration, motility, etc., there are too many variables to make a blanket statement that every dose contains xxxx number of “straws”. Every protocol for the manufacture of the frozen horse semen can vary as well. There are many different techniques, extenders that can be used which affect the # of straws per dose/ # of sperm cells per straw/ # of PM sperm cells. All that is more than most people care to know. Most just care to know that they have been able to trust in me since the mid 1980s to provide a solid service and excellent quality products.
What do I need to do now as far as guaranteeing my semen?
I cannot say if I will still have your particular selection of stallion’s doses by July, and I shut down shipping by late summer. (I give a two-week’s heads up on my Judy’s News as to when I will be closing for the season.) So, you just buy it now, have it stored in your Vet’s tanks for whenever you want to use it. It is not like cooled semen where you wait until the mare is ready to ovulate and then do a Chinese Fire Drill.
The procedure is this:
- Choose your stallion
- Determine how many doses you want to purchase
- Print out the contract or use our shopping cart
- Formula is # of doses x price per dose, plus $75 preparation charge; no deposit is required on tank
- Be sure to fill out the second page delivery instructions and give a Fed X account # or credit card # for the Fed X airbill.
- Check out online, Send me a check, money order, or pay thru PayPal.com the total of doses plus prep charge.
Frozen horse semen can be purchased at any time of the year. If it is “off” season, I will store the semen here at no charge until you are ready to ship it to your Vet.
What is the suggested amount of doses one should purchase or does that vary by stallion?
I would think a minimum of two doses is smart. You never know what a mare might decide to do. Or, maybe the Vet gets impatient, breeds her too early thinking she is going to ovulate, so he can go home, only to find out the next morning that she hadn’t. So, if you don’t have a back up dose, you are out of luck.
How do I get the resulting foal registered, do you send a breeding certificate or something like that?
I no longer send breeding certificates. Each registry has their own way of managing breeding certificates. Some have them on the website for immediate download, other associations require that the mare owner contact them. In any case, you get in touch with your chosen registry. I send your Vet the “Thawing Protocol” sheet when I send the semen. Please ask your Vet for the paperwork if you are the type that likes to file things!
Do you require immediate shipment out, or will you store it until I'm ready to have it shipped?
I am happy to keep doses in my tanks until your Vet is ready to receive them. There is no additional fee for this. But I DO ask that you give me a reasonable “heads up” when you require the doses shipped. Do NOT wait until your mare is in season and ready to breed to request shipment. My tanks and labor require some lead-time.
Do you have data on first cycle conception rates for proven stallions?
Mare owners are quite remiss in reporting results to me if the mare conceives. It seems like I only hear about the ones who DON’T! Most of the stallions are quite fertile; and I am happy to share my experience with the different stallions.
If the semen is sitting for a year or two would this make a difference?
No.
Do you want me to add the $75 processing fee to the cost of the doses?
Yes, the $75 is due before shipping of the semen,and is accounted for in the shopping cart checkout.
I have my own dry shipper, will that save me anything if we can use it?
No, the $75 handling fee stays, as I would have to “top off” and check any tank that is sent to me. Also, I will not stand behind tank failure if it is your tank. I WILL stand behind tank failure and replace lost semen if it is in my equipment.
How do I know the cost of shipping before I decide to checkout?
Shipping roundtrip of my tank via Federal Express is a flat $300; or you may choose to use your own Federal Express account number. There are other options listed on the checkout cart if you are “local pickup” or “inside Texas”.
