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Post by bellajack on May 31, 2007 20:11:59 GMT -1
As a follow-up to FAO Maggie, I thought some of you might be interested if I kept a diary of how this goes.
As A.I. is percieved to be very expensive I thought it might also be of interest to record what it actually ends up costing.
The plan is to use frozen semen from Dartdale Peter Boy. Frozen semen is not as sucessful as chilled, so we plan to give it at least 2 goes, and then possibly try chilled semen from another stallion (Peter is only available frozen at present) if she is still returning.
Grace is 10 yo and has had a foal before (when she was 4 or 5, I believe). She has been here for 2 years, and is a very placid, easy-going mare, so shouldn't give the vet too many problems. I plan to take pics of each stage of the process.
To Date:
So far we have liased with West Kington Stud, where the semen is stored, managed to borrow a storage flask for transportation and storage of the semen this end (West Kington only have 10 flasks, so have to have theirs back by return at this time of year), and Grace's owner has sent off a cheque for £100 for one straw of semen. Our vet is on standby to scan her as soon as she shows signs of being in season.
She looked much more friendly than usual today with the gelding she is turned out with, so phase 1 could be tomorrow.
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Post by harveydales on Jun 1, 2007 4:57:38 GMT -1
Thanks, this will be a fascinating and instructive thread. Fingers crossed for Grace!
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Post by zeldalithgow on Jun 1, 2007 9:12:52 GMT -1
What a good idea - thanks  |
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Post by mollcob on Jun 1, 2007 9:30:13 GMT -1
Great idea
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Post by The Moo on Jun 1, 2007 9:59:23 GMT -1
Our vet has a set fee of £375.00 per cycle for all the visits, scans, tests, drugs etc to get the job done. You have to pay for the semen on top of that but if it all happens on the first go I didn't think it was too bad.
I have known one mare have many many visits one week at the most stupid hours to make sure the timing was right.
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Post by bellajack on Jun 5, 2007 20:33:18 GMT -1
Gracie came into season today, at last.
The vet came out and did an internal examination. She has a follicle on her right ovary, but it is still small and soft, so he is coming back to scan her on Thursday.
The stud are sending us the semen for mid day Thursday, just in case things proceed quickly, but best estimate for insemination at the moment is Saturday. Apparently this year is proving to be a funny year for breeding - isn't it always when you are trying!!
Will try to take some pics of scanning. He only did a rectal today, so didn't embarrass Gracie by taking any. Grace was very co-operative and thankfully he didn't insist on twitching her, just in case, which I really hate to do unnecessarily.
If anyone still thinks AI is expensive, we actually made money as a result of it today. The vet breeds racehorses. He said that he just happened to have one running today,at Lingfield, which would be long odds and had a good chance. OH nipped down to the bookies, got the girl behind the counter to fill in slip (not regular punters here - couldn't remember how) and put £5 each way. It came in 3rd at 50-1!!!!
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Post by bellajack on Jun 5, 2007 21:44:23 GMT -1
This is the flask for transporting and storing a whole 1ml of semen! Disgusting wellie for size comparison. The flask is filled with liquid nitrogen to keep the semen at the correct temp.  This was Grace today, waiting for the vet to arrive.  |
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Post by The Moo on Jun 6, 2007 7:32:21 GMT -1
oo well at least she decided to look her best for her 'husband'.
she looks stunning.
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Post by harveydales on Jun 6, 2007 8:17:11 GMT -1
She is looking marvelous. Does she know her husband won't be there in person? lol
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Post by maggie on Jun 6, 2007 11:15:24 GMT -1
Let's hope the vet's good looking LOL!
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Post by Debbie on Jun 6, 2007 17:17:24 GMT -1
LOL...well, that's one way to get ahead on the AI front  I'm not sure about the costs, but I do know the Barkers who have BlooomingDales farm in Oregon have AId their mares with great success for several years. Thanks for the pics and the step by step diary Grace looks lovely  |
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Post by northmare on Jun 7, 2007 21:21:00 GMT -1
I thought I recognised the name. Grace used to live in this area. I have seen her at some local shows.
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Post by bellajack on Jun 8, 2007 5:57:15 GMT -1
Yes Northmare, her owner bought her from Levens in Cumbria. We drove there and back the same day, to see her, all the way from South Beds! Vet came yesterday to scan her, and semen has arrived. However life is never that simple, is it? To start with vet is camera shy  , so no pics (but we did take sneaky one of the scan, when he wasn't looking - have not downloaded it yet. The follicle on the right ovary turned out, on the scan, to be a dense mass, which he thinks is a retained Corpus Lutieum, although there could be a more sinister explanation, but not even going to go there yet. He gave her an injection of Prostoglandin, which will hopefully shift it, and bring her into season properly within 2 - 5 days. If it is still there after 5 days, then further investigation will be needed. Another scan booked for Monday. |
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Post by taffydales on Jun 8, 2007 6:15:09 GMT -1
This is very interesting, as I may have to go down this road with Perrywinkle, when I looked into it was very exspensive and there was only one vet in my area who was happy to do it, best of luck with everything.
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Post by greydales on Jun 8, 2007 7:40:50 GMT -1
This is interesting belljack, if I ever consider it with Olivia. However not sure she would be happy with a strange man fiddling with her nether regions LOL! So, I take it all of this happens on your property? I did query with my vet but they like the mares to go to the AI stud, which is supposedly one of the best in the country, and they have top stallions there - have a look at the boarding fees!!  www.twemlows.co.uk/aicharges.htmDon't think I will be looking down that road! |
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