Equine: Breeding with Transported Semen
	The ability to transport equine semen and advancements in Artificial Insemination (AI) and semen preservation techniques have made it possible to ship stallion semen to mares anywhere in the country and even in the world. This opens up many possibilities for breeding, and the advantages of shipping semen are many.
	Transporting horses long distances can be very expensive and stressful. Of special concern are mares with foals at their sides. Foals are particularly at risk to disease and injury when exposed to new horses and environments. The ability to breed the mare by AI, helps to significantly reduce these risks to both mare and foal. Do be aware though that not every breed registry permits the use of transported cooled or frozen semen.
	Not all mares and stallions are suitable candidates for shipment of cooled or frozen semen. Both mares and stallions should be reproductively sound. Prior to breeding, a complete breeding soundess exam performed on your mare, may help identify any problems that would hinder a successful breeding. In general, there is only one opportunity for breeding a mare per cycle. Timing is therefore critical. Assessment of the mare's follicles as accurately as possible is needed to predict when ovulation is expected to occur. For the greatest chance of pregnancy, a mare must be bred 24 hours or less prior to ovulation.
	Things to condsider: Is your mare currently cycling? Has your mare ever had a breeding soundness exam? What will you breed to? What is required of you as a mare owner, by the stallion's management? Has your mare had previous problems with maintaining a pregnancy? Has your mare ever had problems foaling?
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