McGonnell & Gillatt Equine Veterinary Practice
24 hour telephone 01488 657575

We are proud to have the expertise within our practice to be able to offer a comprehensive range of breeding services for everyone, from the top class TB studs and the professional sports horse breeders through to the first timers wanting to breed from their favourite mare.

All types of horses, ponies and breeding methods are covered by our services

These include:

• Prebreeding examinations
• Prebreeding swabs and blood tests
• Preparation for natural cover and appropriate follow up care/treatment
• Chilled and fresh semen artificial insemination
• Frozen artificial insemination
• Embryo transfer
• Investigation of problem/subfertile mares
• Uteroscopy (examination the of uterus with an endoscope)
• Foetal sexing
• Trans-abdominal scanning of in-foal mares
• Diagnosis and treatment of high risk pregnanacies
• Care of mares and foals during problem foalings
• Treatment of post foaling problems
• All aspects of foal care

We are happy to accept referrals of problem mares from other practices.

Please feel free to contact us for any other information or
if we can assist with any part of your breeding programme.

Andrew has a specialist qualification in Equine Stud Medicine (Cert EM). With our in-depth knowledge and our dedicated reproductive scanners, you can be sure your mares receive the best attention from pre-conception to post-natal. We can also help and advise with any of the following related breeding issues, and should you be interested in breeding from your mare or stallion, please speak to any of our vets for more information.

• Stallion
• Embryo Transfer
• Newborn Foal - check
• Foal Care

We offer a range of breeding packages tailored to your requirements - from Thoroughbred and professional studs to pleasure horse owners.

Thoroughbred Breeding Package

Natural Cover Package – Single Reproductive Cycle

This package includes:-

All ultrasound scans up to the 28 day pregnancy scan

Routine reproduction drugs – PG(prostaglandin), Oxytocin and Chorulon

Endometrial swab and smear

Caslick’s procedure

Single post cover flush including single antibiotic treatment

The package does not include:-

Pre-breeding tests e.g CEM swabs and blood tests for EVA/EIA or any other tests required by the stud

Reduction of twins

The cost of sedation, if it is necessary, or any other drugs not listed above.

Additional litres of saline for uterine lavage

Lab fees

Endometritis and any treatment relating to other reproductive conditions including that of any foal at foot.

Scanning beyond 28 days including 1^st October scans.

Visit Fees (no extra charges for weekend visits)

Prices - Please contact the office for the latest prices

NB All fees for veterinary treatment must be paid for in full before the work commences and the fee plan is not transferable to the following season

SPORT HORSE AND NON-THOROUGHBRED BREEDING PACKAGE

Chilled Semen Insemination Package

The Package Includes:-

All ultrasound scans up to the 28 day pregnancy scan

Routine reproduction drugs – PG(prostaglandin), Oxytocin and Chorulon

Artificial Insemination

Caslick’s procedure

Single post cover flush including single antibiotic treatment

The package does not include:-

Pre-breeding tests e.g CEM swabs and blood tests for EVA/EIA or any other tests required by the stud.

Sedation and the reduction of twins.

Endometritis and any treatment relating to other reproductive conditions including that of any foal at foot.

Scanning beyond 28 days including 1^st October scans.

Visit fees (no extra charges for weekend visits)

Prices - please contact the office for current prices.

NB ALL FEES FOR VETERINARY REPRODUCTIVE PACKAGES ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE

Frozen Semen Insemination Package

The Package Includes:-

All ultrasound scans up to the 28 day pregnancy scan

Routine reproduction drugs – PG(prostaglandin), Oxytocin, Chorulon and Ovuplant

Artificial Insemination

Caslick’s procedure

Single post cover flush including single antibiotic treatment

The package does not include

Pre-breeding tests e.g CEM swabs and blood tests for EVA/EIA or any other tests required by the stud.

Sedation and the reduction of twins.

Endometritis and any treatment relating to other reproductive conditions including that of any foal at foot.

Scanning beyond 28 days including 1^st October scans.

Visit fees (no extra charges for weekend visits)

Prices - please contact the office for the latest prices 

NB ALL FEES FOR VETERINARY REPRODUCTIVE PACKAGES ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE

Our stud vets are approved by the British Equine Veterinary Association to perform Artificial Insemination with fresh, chilled and frozen semen, and Andrew McGonnell has the specialist Certificate in Equine Stud Medicine (Cert EM). We are equipped to perform Embryo Transfers to enable breeding from top sports mares whilst they continue competing. We also have a particular interest and expertise in the investigation of apparent infertility, or mares who are problematic to get in foal.

We like to help with all aspects, from the initial advice and preparation stages, all through the breeding process and the pregnancy, through to the foaling and afterwards. Breeding from your mare can seem like an overwhelming subject, but we are here to help and advise as needed.

Before breeding from your mare, a thorough reproductive examination needs to be performed in order to assess her suitability for breeding and identify any potential problems which may need special attention. There are a number of swabs and tests which may need to be performed at this time. We can then discuss your mare’s suitability for natural service, fresh, chilled or frozen semen, which will then determine which stallions are available to you.

Natural service will involve a trip to the stallion at stud and therefore a comprehensive array of tests for infectious diseases as well as up to date vaccinations, but less scanning and vet visit fees.

Using chilled semen means that your mare can stay at home, but the timing of insemination needs to be more accurate, and therefore more visits and scans are needed to track the ovulation. It is also important to have good communication with the stallion stud so that the semen is delivered on time.

Since conception rates for frozen semen are often lower, it is recommended that this method should be used only for mares with proven reproductive success. The shorter lifespan of frozen semen means that the timing of insemination needs to be within 6 hours before ovulation and up to a maximum of 4 hours after ovulation, so more intensive management is needed, and multiple ultrasound scans to get the timing right.

After insemination your mare will be scanned again to check that she did indeed ovulate, and to check for any post-breeding inflammation which may need further treatment. If all is well, then she will be scanned at 14-16 days post-ovulation to see if she is pregnant. If so, then repeat scans at 28 and 45 days will track progress and ensure that everything is developing normally.

Our stud vets are available to guide you through the whole process, and since every mare and situation are slightly different, please get in contact at the earliest opportunity to discuss your needs.

Stud packages are available to cover the cost of all the repeat scans needed for a successful pregnancy, with special deals available for repeat cycles. Please contact us for further details.