Shipped Semen 101: A Lab Manual for Horse Breeder and Stallion Stations

Few things on this earth are more enjoyable than the birth of a baby, especially a little gangly-legged foal when it first attempts to get up on it s feet and nuzzle up to mama. In the past, it was more difficult to breed your stallion to a mare that was quite a distance away, to achieve that one in a million foal. Modern technology has made it possible to breed a mare thousands of miles away to a choice stallion, but the high cost of veterinary services make shipping semen expensive and time consuming. Therefore, more and more stallion owners are taking a do-it-yourself approach, with varying success.

Until now, the only way to learn proper techniques for collecting and processing semen was to attend one of a handful of seminars at veterinary colleges. Even then, putting the learned techniques into practice can be confusing and difficult for the beginner. Judith Pilgrim s book, Shipped Semen 101: A Laboratory Manual for Horse Breeders and Stallion Stations, aims to make the process understandable to the average owner.

In the book, she discusses the physiology of the stallion, the best equipment and where to find it, cost, and facilities. Pilgrim then provides illustrated step-by-step instruction on how to collect the stallion, evaluate semen quality, calculate the correct dosage, and prepare if for shipping. Worksheets and checklists guide you through the entire procedure, and Pilgrim s easy method of dosage calculation can be copied and used for each collection. The book also includes chapters on the physiology and artificial insemination of the mare, resources for obtaining supplies and equipment, and instructions on how to build an inexpensive breeding mount that will save you hundreds of dollars.

Any stallion owner contemplating setting up a facility or anyone involved with standing a stallion will refer to the easy-to-use formulas, checklists and practical advice again and again.