We always recommend you buy 2 to 3 doses of semen per mare, which should be enough semen for at least 2 heat cycles. Give your mare the same opportunities to conceive using frozen semen as you would if using fresh-chilled semen, so at least 2 cycles. We also do not recommend that you split the doses in an effort to get more breedings. The number of straws supplied in the dose is the number of progressively motile sperm that should achieve a reasonable chance at pregnancy. Splitting the dose does not give your mare a fair chance of conceiving.
RECEIVED THE FROZEN SEMEN, NOW WHAT?
You will receive detailed thawing protocol. Make sure you follow the protocol to the letter and handle the semen properly. Improper timing during thawing will cook the semen and render it useless. Handling and thawing the semen have an enormous impact on semen viability. Semen is very temperature sensitive! Do not lift the semen straws out of your tank until you are fully ready for immediate transferring to a storage receptacle or for immediate thawing and use. Lifting the straws out for longer than 3 seconds warms the straws and their contents just enough to damage sperm viability.
The temperature of liquid Nitrogen (LN2) is at 65 degrees Kelvin, or -346 degrees Fahrenheit. In other words, it is extremely cold. If it reaches -320 degrees Fahrenheit, it will start to boil. Too extreme a temperature rise caused by a failing tank will cause the tank to explode violently. Nitrogen will burn your skin immediately upon contact! Always wear protection. Warm air contacting liquid nitrogen will cause the nitrogen to boil up. ALWAYS wear eye protection, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, and use straw tweezers when handling straws, goblets or canes. Another note, LN2 can replace oxygen in your blood and cause asphyxia. Always handle LN2 tanks in a well-ventilated area and you should always have an assistant with you in case you suffer an exposure or are overcome. There are no symptoms of impending nitrogen asphyxia, you just suddenly get extremely dizzy and pass out.
IS MY MARE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR FROZEN SEMEN?
Frozen semen conception rates are very comparable to fresh chilled or live cover rates. Frozen semen allows you to store the semen without needing rush shipping, so you wait for the prime opportune time to have the mare inseminated. In some cases, it can even be cheaper to breed via frozen semen!
Most of the success depends on the mare. So, what makes a mare a good candidate? A relatively young mare who has a foal at her side, is having her first true heat (as opposed to a foal heat, which has only a 35% or less conception rate), and who had no difficulties foaling, is the best choice. Many breeders have bred a young maiden mare with frozen semen with excellent results. If you have never used frozen semen on your mare before, it is best to buy enough semen for at least 2 or 3 heat cycles, and have a back-up plan with fresh-chilled semen; however, that being said, just be aware that sometimes, for whatever reason, a maiden mare will not take using frozen semen until AFTER she's had her first foal. I would not recommend using frozen semen on a maiden mare who is older than 12. I also would not recommend using frozen semen on a mare who has had a large number of foals and was starting to become difficult to get pregnant using fresh chilled semen.
Some mares, despite being reproductively sound, with no apparent problems, where the veterinarian has all the ducks lined up in a row, and still she just will not conceive with frozen semen. It's rare, but it happens. There is also the odd mare who turns out to be allergic to the extender used in the frozen semen. These mares suffer an inflammatory reaction which creates a hostile uterine environment which is destructive for any embryo to survive.
Before breeding your mare, ensure she undergoes a thorough reproductive soundness exam that includes a culture and sensitivity, and biopsy. This tells you what the most likely situation is inside her uterus. A pre-breeding exam is the best money you will ever spend and could save you a lot of dollars in the long-run, and a lot of heartache.
Talk to your registry of choice BEFORE you breed. Make sure you understand your registry requirements for the use of Artificial Insemination and the use of Frozen Semen.
What all registries have in common is the fact that the foal is registered in the registry with which its dam is approved; however, most registries also require that the stallion also be approved in that same registry. Check the status of the stallion BEFORE you breed!!
With most registries, mares and stallions may be approved by more than one registry; however, the foal can only receive registration papers from one registry.
You will receive an insemination certificate. Please let me know if you also need a copy of the stallion's registration and DNA papers. Again, consult your registry of choice to determine their requirements. Some registries, such as CWHBA will let you perform DNA test on leftover semen, whereas other registries require a copy of the stallion's DNA card!
Some registries require the semen broker to file a stallion report, others do not. Some require an insemination certificate signed by the veterinarian or technician who performed the insemination, others do not.
It is the breeder's responsibility to be sure all requirements are met in a timely manner. Call the Registry before you breed in order to ascertain their requirements.
Canada has an extensive list of required tests a stallion in Europe must undergo in order for his semen to be allowed into Canada. It is the job of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Veterinarian to inspect the tank upon arrival for the quantity of straws, labelling, appropriate paperwork and disease-free status as proven in the zoosanitary certificate provided by the stallion owner and/or stallion station. If any of these requirements are not met, the shipment fails approval for entry into Canada. The requirements are different for each country! At the very least, all European-based stallions must have testing that follows the EU Directive and as well, both the site and stallion must prove freedom from these diseases; CEM (originating from premises clean prior 12 months, and tested for 2 months prior to collection) , African horse sickness, glanders, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, vesicular stomatitis, babesiosis (for 12 months prior), dourine (for 6 months), Japanese encephalitis (60 days), equine infectious anemia (60 days). From this point, then there are specific diseases for any particular country in addition to what is listed above. There are also specific directions for how the tests are to be conducted. As well, the testing must have been processed through an approved lab. Canada supplies a list of approved labs for each European country where the tests may be conducted.
As well, each straw entering into Canada MUST follow these parameters: The identification markings or labelling on the straws or ampules includes the registered name, registration number and breed of the donor sire and the date of semen collection. Usually, the straws are loaded into larger cup-like cylinders called "Goblets". These are attached to aluminum rods called "Canes". At the very least, the canes must be fully labelled, although the straws should also be fully labelled.
There must be a zoosanitary certificate accompanying each order and the certificate can only be issued by the Veterinarian designated the central veterinary service of that country. The certificate needs to clearly explain identifying information for the origin of the semen, all testing results of the semen, the destination of the semen, and a large number of other things, right down to the serial number of the semen tank!