Chilled or Frozen
Chilled Semen
Pros
- Chilled semen usually has better conception rates than frozen semen.
- Chilled semen is usually purchased per pregnancy, so that the mare is inseminated as many times as necessary throughout the season to achieve a pregnancy. Depending on the stallion, there are often free inseminations the next year, or part money back schemes if the mare is not in foal by the end of the season.
- Artificial Insemination (AI) with chilled semen is usually considered to be a less invasive and complicated procedure than AI with frozen semen and so may be more suitable for younger, maiden or nervous mares.
- Veterinary fees for chilled semen AI are often cheaper than for frozen semen AI.
Cons
- With certain stallions who are in very high demand over the season due to stud or competition commitments, the quality of chilled semen can sometimes not be as good as the same stallion's quality of frozen semen, although this is unusual.
- Chilled semen usually survives between 24 - 48 hours after leaving the stallion. For this reason, timing of ordering and transporting the semen is critical. Although transport usually works well, delays in delivery can occur, for example because of late or grounded planes, traffic jams and similar unforeseeable events. Packages can also very rarely be lost in transit.
- Because chilled semen has a relatively short storage period, there is a small risk that when the mare is in season the chosen stallion may not be available, for example through injury, illness or competition. In these circumstances the mare's owner may have to decide to use a different stallion, use frozen semen from the chosen stallion, or allow the mare to miss a cycle. In practice this does not often happen.
- Each time the mare is inseminated, the mare owner will be required to pay the transport charges, as chilled semen can only be sent one dose at a time.
Frozen Semen
Pros
- Frozen semen has an indefinite storage life. For this reason frozen semen can be delivered in advance to ensure that it is available when the mare is in season.
- Certain stallions are only available via frozen semen, for example if they have passed away, are currently injured or ill, or their current competition demands are too great to allow them to be used for chilled semen.
Cons
- Although conception rates tend to be lower with frozen semen than chilled semen, recent advances in veterinary practices and mare management have seen greatly improved conception rates for frozen semen.
- Frozen semen is usually sold per dose, with no money back or free return schemes if the mare does not get in foal. However, frozen semen can be cheaper if your mare gets in foal on the first or second insemination, as the cost per dose of frozen is usually less than the cost per pregnancy of chilled semen.
Ultimately, getting your mare in foal will depend on a number of factors such as the health of the mare, the genetic match of the mare and the stallion, the skill of the veterinary surgeon performing the AI, the management of the mare, and Lady Luck!
Fortunately, most mares do not experience any problems getting in foal. Your veterinary surgeon will also be able to provide more specific advice suitable for your mare.
You can find the answers to a number of common queries on our Frequently Asked Questions page. However, if you require any further guidance, information or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us, as we are always happy to help wherever we can.
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