The Liphook Equine Hospital is a British Equine Veterinary association approved centre for artificial insemination of mares and offers the following service to owners who wish their mares to be inseminated artificially. We would also encourage all mare owners considering AI this year to discuss the process with Sarah Boland, Huw Griffiths or Andy Durham who can be contacted at the hospital on 01428 723594 or on their mobiles Sarah 07767 873568; Huw 07767 873567; Andy: 07767 873566.

We advise that prior to commencing the AI programme mares should have had a negative clitoral (or CEM) swab taken at home (this takes about a week to process). Mares are then admitted to the hospital as soon as signs of oestrus* are seen. If your mare does not show obvious behavioural signs of oestrus then a prior examination at home and a prostaglandin injection may be required to bring her into oestrus. A uterine (or endometrial) swab will be taken as early as possible when the mare is in oestrus and submitted for laboratory examination for signs of infection which would interfere with conception. The mare is stabled at the clinic and regular examinations and scans are performed to follow the progress of the ovaries to pinpoint the time of ovulation. This will normally be between 3 and 5 days from the beginning of oestrus but can be highly variable. You will be told about 24 hours in advance of the expected time of ovulation so that you can organise delivery of the semen. A ‘holding injection’ is usually given to improve conception rates and the mare is inseminated at the appropriate time. A final ultrasound scan is performed to check for ovulation and uterine fluid after insemination and the mare can then be returned home. We would suggest that further scans to detect pregnancy are then carried out from 16 days after insemination.

The fee for the artificial insemination service is £375 (plus VAT) for fresh or chilled semen and £495 (plus VAT) for frozen semen.

What the fee covers:

-up to 5 days stabling and livery
-uterine (or endometrial) swabbing and laboratory fees
-multiple examinations and scans as required to monitor ovarian development
-‘holding injection’
-insemination of the mare
-post-ovulation scan

What the fee does not cover:

-a clitoral (CEM) swab taken prior to commencing the AI programme
-a prior visit and treatment to bring the mare into season should this be required
-treatment for any uterine infection should this be detected by the laboratory
-stabling and livery beyond 5 days should this be required
-the cost of further insemination procedures should the mare fail to conceive
-visit and scan for pregnancy detection

(*oestrus means ‘in season’ or ‘on heat’ and indicates that the mare is ready and willing for breeding).