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Artificial Insemination

We are a British Equine Veterinary Association accredited practice to provide artificial insemination.

Artificial Insemination at Fellows Farm equine clinic

We are a British Equine Veterinary Association accredited practice to provide artificial insemination (AI) with chilled and frozen semen for owners of mares wishing to have their mares inseminated. 

We have all the facilities in place for the correct storage, handling and insemination of equine semen.
Within the non-thoroughbred industry the use of AI is now a very popular and routine procedure for breeding in the sports horse. 

Conception rates with fresh or chilled semen are comparable or can exceed those from natural service.
The process involves monitoring the oestrus cycle of the mare to be bred and inseminating her close to ovulation with either fresh collected semen, fresh-chilled semen or frozen semen.
Successful AI depends on a thorough understanding of the mare’s oestrus cycle and breeding history. 

We have performed many successful inseminations, from the more routine mares to more complex cases, and offer a comprehensive AI service to our clients. 

PRE-BREEDING EXAMINATION
Prior to breeding your mare, a full veterinary reproductive examination is performed to assess her suitability for breeding and highlight any potential problems. 

Swabs for contagious venereal disease will be required with blood samples for infectious disease prior to insemination.
Initial reproductive examination will allow assessment of the stage of you mare’s oestrus cycle and will determine timing of admission to the clinic for insemination. 

Endometrial swabbing assesses the need for pre or post breeding treatment such as antibiotics.
Follicle development is closely monitored along with other parameters and when the follicle has reached a certain size hormones are given to induce ovulation.
Timing of induction is dependent on which semen type is chosen. 

TIMING OF INSEMINATION
Semen may be available either fresh, chilled or frozen and management of the mare and timing of insemination is determined by which type of semen is used.
For fresh or chilled semen, conception rates are highest when insemination is within 24 hours before ovulation. 

Frozen semen has a short life span and the mare is inseminated immediately before or after ovulation.
Mares require multiple ultrasound examinations to assess the correct time for insemination and subsequent management of mares with frozen semen is more intensive. 

Conception rates for mares using frozen semen are often lower and therefore ideally this should be reserved for mares without known reproductive problems.
Insemination with chilled semen requires good communication and timing of ordering of semen from the stallion’s stud so that semen is delivered on time. 

When the mare is ready for insemination, the mare is inseminated via a uterine catheter into the uterine body or by deep intrauterine insemination into the horn of the uterus.
Following insemination, your mare will be checked for ovulation and for post-breeding problems and treatment may be required, especially in older or problematic horses. 

Once your mare has gone home she will be scanned at 15 days following ovulation and if pregnant, we suggest further scans be performed at 28 and 45 days to make sure the pregnancy is developing normally. 

Fellowes Farm AI Packages 2025

Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic is a BEVA AI listed practice with vets experienced in the use of AI.  The competitive packages listed below are available at our clinic where we have full facilities and mare and foal boxes available.  If you require any further information please contact us on 01487 773333 or by email on [email protected] 

Prices for AI at the clinic per cycle.  

Artificial insemination with Chilled Semen  

£ 300 + VAT (£360 including VAT) plus in foal fee (Includes Livery) 

Artificial insemination with Frozen Semen 

£450 + VAT (540 including VAT) plus  in foal fee (Includes Livery)  

What’s included 

  • All ultrasound examinations whilst the horse is in at the clinic. This allows us to monitor follicle growth, to allow correct timing for insemination, to confirm ovulation once inseminated, to check for the presence of fluid following insemination. 
  • Any hormonal medication necessary to ensure ovulation occurs at the correct time once they are in at the clinic and Oxytocin as required.  
  • The insemination process 
  • Assessment of semen motility and quality via microscopic examination 
  •  Initial treatment for post insemination fluid up to one flush if required. 
  • First Pregnancy Scan 
  • 4 days full livery 

What’s not included 

  • Livery fees after 4 days 
  • This package operates when mares are in season and does not include initial breeding examinations and drugs such as Regumate and prostaglandin used to induce oestrus.  
  • Any additional treatment to a standard protocol is not included.  For example treatment of   endometritis or uterine fluid requiring more than one lavage post insemination is not included. 
  • Subsequent Pregnancy Scans at home or at the clinic after the first scan. 
  • Sedation. We will sedate the mare for reproductive procedures if we feel it is necessary for the safety of the horse and the veterinary surgeon. If a mare is very uncooperative these costs can be significant. 
  • Twin Management and subsequent ultrasound examinations 
  • Caslicks procedure  if required. 
  • Visit fees 

Owner’s responsibilty 

 it is the owners responsibility to purchase and organise delivery of semen from the chosen stallion.  The owner must ensure the stallion is available for semen collection the dates that the mare is booked in for an AI package.  

Please note an in foal fee of £140 is payable is mare is scanned in foal at 15 days.