Top Stallions Improve Genetics

Genetic improvements

With the quality of stallions showing up at the shows and on the breeding farm, we have a great opportunity to project this quality into the future offspring of the Shire breed.

If we look at our bovine counterparts we see that they have discontinued shipping cooled semen years ago. They now rely almost exclusively on frozen semen. While we still have a lot to learn in this area, it is developing quickly. Someday we will see equine converting to a frozen semen source with great accessibility to good stallions all over the world. Interest, experience, and knowledge are the real limiting factors that position us a distant runner in the marathon race that our cattle counterparts have already won. There are many new concepts and procedures being developed and perfected for use in equine reproduction. One of these areas is frozen semen and embryos. The reason we are lagging far behind our bovine counterparts is due to two factors: the lack of financing to develop the same techniques for equine that bovine have developed; and, the fear of this technique by breeders that it might affect their future stallion demand, as well as fear of polarizing genetics. These factors must be addressed in order that this new technique be allowed to progress. It is the opinion of most breeders and researchers that the movement of semen via the cooled or frozen method is a very sound concept. This allows the simple transportation of semen rather than the animal. The benefits of improved genetics are a powerful tool to a small breeder.

Shipping cooled and frozen semen is not without its problems. First, the collecting and preparation of the semen must be done in a competent manner. The mare owner has a very large role to play in preparing the mare for breeding. The key is to execute the breeding at the correct synchronized time. A competent reproduction veterinarian is essential for a smooth transition of the cooled semen or the frozen straw of semen from the stallion to the mare. Timing is extremely important. Ultra-sounding the mare to keep abreast of the follicle development and its size as well as its development prior to dropping is critical information to make artificial insemination successful. The most important item that is often forgotten is to check the mare six to twelve hours post breeding to see if the follicle actually did drop. If it did not drop, then the process should be performed over again.

For More Information Contact:

Jenson American Shires
9110 P-35, Blair, NE 68008
Tel: (402) 426-3198
FAX:
Internet: ClarkJenson@huntel.net

Copyright © 2007 Jenson American Shires
Last modified: 12/01/07