The stud experience

QWhat can I expect my mare’s artificial insemination experience at stud to be like? Harry Smith, Essex

Julia says: Each stud will have its own standards, procedures and service levels. Generally, mares will undertake health tests at home first to ensure she is not bringing any contagious diseases to the facility. Some studs offer quarantine on site so that tests can take place on arrival.

I would not take a mare to any stud that did not have thorough biosecurity measures. If they let your mare in without tests, there may be other horses on site that could be carrying disease.

On site

Once on site, the stud should keep you informed of the results of any scanning or ‘teasing’ of your mare and let you know once she has been inseminated. Depending on where your mare is in her cycle, she may be approaching coming into season or have recently ovulated. If she has recently ovulated you could be offered the opportunity to give her a ‘Pg’ jab to bring her back into season more quickly, rather than waiting two or three weeks for it to occur naturally.

Your mare should be scanned around 48 hours after insemination to check for ovulation and for any signs of fluid, which can be treated at that point. If all is well, her next scan will be at about 15 days post-ovulation to check for a pregnancy. If she is in foal, another check at 25-28 days will identify the heartbeat. If all is well at this stage, you can come and pick her up.