Do you send your mares away to be AI'd or have it done at home?

[Vickijay]

Hi,

As title really. I have decided deffo to try and get magic pregnant (she has vet coming tomorrow for first of 3 days of antibiotics into her uterous) So she should be ready to be PG'd again at the end of next week.

I have rung a few AI centres (just waiting for calls back) and my vet is a experienced repro vet.

Pros of home are less cost (livery) altho there are geldings and 1 rig in paddocks near by (maybe old wives tale?!&gt I guess if shes away they can scan her more often and keep a better eye on her.

I feel cos its a bit late in the day it might be best if she goes to a AI centre... what do you all do?

Vicki x

[JanetGeorge]

Depends really if you're using chilled or frozen.

For frozen, I would send a mare to an AI centre as visit charges at home would quickly outweight the cost of the AI centre (timing is so much more critical!)

We AI with chilled at home - not sure how economic it would be for ONE mare. If you're lucky you could do it on 4 scans/visits per cycle - but could be double that and at - say - £30 a visit ....

Just a query - why 3 days of antibiotics?? That seems excessive unless there's been a serious post foaling issue. Generally better to bung antibiotics in after AI, if thought necessary.

[eventrider23]

I would send her away. If you do end up using one of the boys you are looking at tomo then you could just send her there. If she is at home it is yes less expense but more hassle as you have to be able to drop everything and be at home for the scans, etc. Plus if she is at the stud then they can as you said, scan everyday at no hassle to you. I think when you work it out...what you save on livery costs, you soon wish you had spend when you add in all the time, etc. Also, make sure you go on a vet package as individual fees will soon add up!!!! Other thing to consider is what the mare is like to scan.....does she fidget, kick out, etc etc as if she does then she will need doping for her scans....even more expense....whereas at stud she will be able to go into the stocks.

Plus, bearing in mind her fluid issue....if she has had all these probs needing the AB's then having her at stud where they can wash her out easily, etc might work out better.

[Vickijay]

[ QUOTE ]
Just a query - why 3 days of antibiotics?? That seems excessive unless there's been a serious post foaling issue. Generally better to bung antibiotics in after AI, if thought necessary.

[/ QUOTE ]

She had been on loan to a stud who had AI'd her 3 times (without scanning, just with teasing and AI'ing on 2 days out of the cycle) and she hadnt got pregnant.

I brought her home and had the repro vet look at her who said instantly that she had poor conformation now (from having her first baby) He said he thought that poo and air had got in to her uterous. He swabbed her and she has a infection with 2 different types of bacteria.

So no chance of baby in there,so trying to fix the infection before starting to AI her properly (which should be happening the week after next all being well)

He also said she should be washed out after inseminating and the caslicked once in foal (fingers crossed for the last bit)

Does that all sound ok???

ps chilled semen

[Clodagh]

I'm a complete novice but I sent my mare to Groomsbridge on a vets package job. Although I had the additional livery costs I still work it out as cheaper than at home with paying call out and scan fees for every scan.

[TheresaW]

I was originally going to have my mare AI'd at home using chilled, but in the end I sent her to stud (also Groomsbridge), so that we could use fresh. Having since found out that the vets I was going to use have been far from good, I am glad I did.

[dwteam]

I send my mares away to Bracken spa Stud here in Lincolshire where they have Tower Equine vets looking after the AI been lucky so far all mares have taken first time in the last 4 years. I do not think I have the right set up to have them done here. Good luck with your mare

[tilesheds]

As above, timing is crucial so I would go to AI centre. I didnt find that much difference in the cost and my mare was only there 4 days. It is easier for them to get the timing more exact. My vet offered a package which included 4 days livery, pre scan, AI, antibiotic washout and 14 day scan.

[Faberge]

Another vote for Groomsbridge from me - I sent my mare there and she took first time - Sally is super experienced and all the horses seem very happy & healthy.

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]


I brought her home and had the repro vet look at her who said instantly that she had poor conformation now (from having her first baby) He said he thought that poo and air had got in to her uterous. He swabbed her and she has a infection with 2 different types of bacteria.

So no chance of baby in there,so trying to fix the infection before starting to AI her properly (which should be happening the week after next all being well)

He also said she should be washed out after inseminating and the caslicked once in foal (fingers crossed for the last bit)

Does that all sound ok???

ps chilled semen

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep - that sounds a sensible plan for her circumstances. Your vet sounds like he knows what he is doing - so add up the economics (at LEAST 5 visits - and probably a further £20-30 for the work done each time) against the cost of stud livery and vet 'package' fee (package will not usually cover washouts and Caslicks' - but all packages vary).