General Frequently Asked Questoins

What is the process to get an embryo?

For immediate transfer: The donor mare is bred to the stallion of choice. Her cycle if followed closely so that we know exactly when she ovulates her follicle. Seven days following her ovulation date we will flush the mare for an embryo. If we retrieve an embryo it is transferred directly into the recipient mare.
For frozen embryos: The breeding is the same as above, however, we will flush for an embryo Six days after ovulation. If we retrieve an embryo, it is frozen until the owner decides to transfer it into a recipient mare. The frozen embryo can be stored for as long as the owner wants. There will be a monthly storage fee after one year of collecting the embryo.

What is the success rate of retrieving an embryo and having the recipient mare be pregnant?

There are many variables that pertain to retrieving an embryo. If the mare is of breeding soundness (no infections, cervical tears etc.), and the stallion has good quality semen and is fertile, then the average is 50% of the time we get embryos. If you’re using frozen semen the percentage can drop a little.
When we get an embryo, the average pregnancy rate is at a 12-day check: 80% about 72% will go home to owners at 45 days. For frozen embryos it is a 66% pregnancy rate.

What type of mares are good embryo candidates?

Any mare can be used as a donor for embryos, however, most are mares that are actively showing/competing/riding, mares that have breeding soundness issues (cervical tears, can’t maintain pregnancy, difficult etc.), and mares that tend to have multiple ovulations (eliminates chance of twinning).

At what age can you start breeding for embryos?

When the mare is biologically 2 yrs of age (24 months).

Do I have to bring my mare to you to perform all breeding services?

No. If you live out of state and/or have a veterinarian who is capable of doing your breeding and can monitor your mare’s cycle closely to detect the exact day of ovulation, you can either bring your mare to us to flush for the embryo or, in some instances, we can travel to your farm either by car or company plane to flush for an embryo. If your veterinarian is capable of flushing an embryo then he can send it to us via counter-counter air shipment, and we can transfer it into one of our recipient mares.

Can I use one of my own mares as a recipient mare?

One of the keys to a successful embryo transfer is the timing of both the donor mare’s ovulation with the recipient mare’s ovulation. That is why we keep a herd of about 100 recipient mares. Trying to time your mare’s ovulation with the donor mare’s ovulation is almost impossible. The recipient mare must also be of complete breeding soundness. Our recipient mares are young, usually maiden mares. We have the most success with these chosen mares.

What if my mare has multiple follicles that ovulate?

You have a choice. If we transfer all embryos into recipient mares at the time of the flush, you may have multiple foals the following year. However, it increases your chances of having at least one foal in case one of the embryos doesn’t make it. If you don’t want the chance of multiple foals, then you may want to consider flushing at 6 days, freezing the embryos, placing one in a recipient and keep the remainder frozen. If you decide to freeze, we need to know ahead of time so that we flush on the appropriate day.

If we get multiple embryos, can I use my donor mare as a recipient?

We can’t directly transfer an embryo into the mare we just flushed. There usually is a small amount of residual fluid in the uterus from flushing the embryo. This doesn’t create the best environment for the embryo to survive in. You would want to freeze the embryos, recycle your mare and transfer them when she and the recipient are ready.

How soon can I take my recipient mare after she’s confirmed pregnant?

She is considered safely in foal at 45 days. During this time, when she is at the clinic, we will perform periodic pregnancy checks and she will be on a daily progesterone supplement, Regu-mate. When she is confirmed pregnant at 45 days, you may take her home that day.

If I don’t want to keep my recipient mare, can I bring her back for a refund?

Yes. We will perform a breeding soundness exam and if we can use her in the embryo program again, you will receive a $500 refund.

Do I have to keep my recipient mare on Regu-mate for the entire pregnancy?

We highly suggest keeping the recipient mare on Regu-mate until at least 120 days regardless of her own progesterone level.

What is the cost of doing an embryo transfer?

The cost can vary. If we’re doing all the breeding, it can run approximately $4800-$5100. The main cost is leasing the pregnant recipient which is $3500. You also have the option of a transported embryo where you have someone else do the breeding and they send the embryo to us or we can flush it here. Either way, we would need to know exactly when the mare ovulated. That cost is approximately $3000 - $5000 depending on whether we board the mare, breed her and flush her here or if you just send us the embryo to transfer.

*Please e-mail us if you would like any packet information sent to you.

 Frequently Asked Stallion Questions

What age can I begin collecting my stallion?

We recommend that you wait for collection purposes until the stallion reaches its maturity, however we will take into account special cases and stallion individuality. WCEC is able to manage a wide variety of stallions, including young untrained animals to senior horses.

What age can I begin collecting my stallion?

At WCEC we appreciate a stallion that can come to us with appropriate ground manners. However, we understand that most owners do not have the education or desire to work with a “breeding” stallion. If your stallion has never been collected off of a phantom, we require a series of training sessions called phantom training. It is sometimes helpful if the stallion has been allowed to tease and has not been harshly reprimanded for typical breeding behavior, which in the case of a timid stallion, could be detrimental. (We are not advocating that you allow your stallion to misbehave.)

How long does the phantom training take?

The phantom training process typically takes about a week. This allows our staff to have at least 3-4 training sessions with the stallion. During this time, he will become accustom to being washed, teased, mount the phantom, and collect using an artificial vagina. The resulting semen will then be evaluated for volume, concentration, motility and extending capabilities. However, each stallion is different; therefore additional time may need to be allotted for special cases.

My stallion has special needs (i.e. lameness, illness, or behavioral issues) is WCEC equipped to handle those needs?

Yes. Besides being a full service breeding facility we are also an equine hospital capable of minor surgeries and recovery treatments. Our staff takes into consideration each animal’s individual needs and treats them accordingly. There is no shortage of concern or care at this facility.

Does WCEC specialize in one particular breed?

No. We see a wide variety of all breeds.

Does WCEC stand stallions?

Yes. However owners should contact the clinic during working hours to discuss options and requirements. WCEC can either act as an agent and completely schedule and manage your stallions breeding season, dealing with the mare owners for you, or if you would like to be more involved we can act as a collection facility and let you have direct contact with the mare owners.(please contact WCEC for more information.)

Is WCEC qualified for quarantine for exported semen?

Yes. We are qualified for export to Australia and Europe. We are not, however qualified to import horses at this time.

Does WCEC freeze semen?

Yes.

What does freezing semen involve?

Preferably WCEC would collect the stallion here at the clinic and have a test freeze done, to determine if your stallion is capable of freezing. If your horse has not been collected recently, we recommend that he is cleaned out a few times before the test freeze. This allows for a more accurate representation of his cell count.

What is the success rate between frozen and fresh semen?

N/A

What can I expect as far as number of doses from my stallion?

Every stallion should be considered as an individual. Therefore, each stallion will produce a different amount of doses. However, the average production of sperm cells for the average stallion is somewhere between 6-11 billion, or 6 – 11 doses of semen.

When is WCEC available for collection?

WCEC staff is capable of collection Monday – Friday as long as we have adequate notice. Some stallion owners may stipulate a specific schedule, which we will honor.

Can WCEC ship semen counter to counter?

Yes. We are registered with many airline carriers, which allow us to ship semen nationwide with same day services. We can ship packages out of Ontario, San Diego, and Palm Springs California. Because this service is much more difficult to arrange, and constant changes in southern California traffic, adequate notice is a MUST.

What does it cost?

Charges are acquired per service. For a list of prices and services please feel free to e-mail us and we will send an information packet to you.