SMART FAQ's

Mare Management FAQ's

Shipped Semen FAQ's

Embryo Transfer FAQ's

 

 
1.      When is the Breeding Season?
 
Traditionally in the Northern Hemisphere the equine breeding season runs from February 1 to June 30. There are breed differences and each stallion owner may set their own dates. Stallions managed by Dr. William E. Swyers will be available for breeding during the traditional breeding season. In individual cases stallions may be available for breeding from July through December.
 
2.      Have the stallions your mare(s) are being bred to, been tested and vaccinated for (EVA) Equine Viral Arteritis?
 
All cooled or frozen semen from outside stallions to be used in the breeding management of mares under the reproductive care of Dr. William E. Swyers must be either vaccinated or a documented non-EVA shedders. All semen shipments must be accompanied by documentation of the EVA status of the stallion.
 
All Dr. Swyers managed stallions will be tested for EVA. All managed stallions with initial negative titers will be vaccinated. All Dr. Swyers managed stallions with an initial positive titer will be determined to be a non-viral shedder by a minimum of two semen ejaculates being tested for evidence of the EVA virus by viral culture or PCR antigen testing. All semen shipments by Dr. Swyers will be accompanied by documentation of the EVA status of the stallion.
 
3.      Should I vaccinate my mare(s) for (EVA) Equine Viral Arteritis?  
 
The recent increase of EVA cases across the country has raised the question. There is a safe protective modified live viral vaccine. Mares should be vaccinated a minimum of 3 weeks prior to being bred and then a booster should be given annually.   Owners and breeding managers of mares bred by Dr. William E. Swyers should consult with their primary care veterinarian and Dr. Swyers before proceeding.
 
4.      Have the stallions your mares(s) are being bred to, been tested for (CEM) Contagious Equine Metritis (Taylorella equigenitalis)?
 
All cooled or frozen semen from outside stallions to be used in the breeding management of mares under the reproductive care of Dr. William E. Swyers must have documentation as having been tested negative for CEM. All semen shipments must be accompanied by documentation of the CEM status of the stallion.
 
All Dr. Swyers managed stallions will be cultured negative for Taylorella equigenitalis with at least one set of cultures from the prepuce, urethra, urethral fossa, and semen. Taylorella equigenitalis is a difficult and fastidious organism to culture. All semen shipments by Dr. Swyers will be accompanied by documentation of the CEM culture status of the stallion.
 
5.      Can Dr. Swyers manage my mare for breeding?
 
Mares managed for breeding by Dr. Swyers can be handled in various ways. Dr. Swyers and Stallion & Mare Assisted Reproduction, PC are set up to manage broodmares.  Both open mares and mares with foals by their side can be cared for. Dr. Swyers will be accepting foaling mares for the 2009 season. The owners or managers of mares needing to be managed for foaling must make contact as soon as possible with Dr. Swyers.
 
Breeding management of mares will be handled by:
 
A.      Mares are brought to our facility prior to a breeding cycle. They will be cared for while being managed through a breeding cycle. They can stay until checked in foal or if from local farms or homes they can leave and then return for pregnancy diagnosis.
B.       Mares can also be hauled in for each examination during a breeding cycle. It is important that this type of program be set up and discussed in advance with Dr. Swyers because logistics with this kind of management can sometimes be difficult.
C.       There will be a few outside farms where Dr. Swyers will travel to provide mare management services. These will be determined on an individual basis and must be pre-arranged. Mares managed at one of Dr. Swyers’ facilities will take preference when management overlaps occur.  
 
 
 
 
6.      What are the breeding days?
 
From February 1st through July 31st the breeding season is a seven day a week program. Dr. Swyers will be able to manage mares for breeding on any day needed. That said there are many ways to manage mares so that cycles, breeding dates, and embryo flushes fall on days during the middle of the week. Early management of mares allows these opportunities to occur. Mare owners, breeding managers, veterinarians, and Dr. Swyers would prefer to work during the routine work week because management costs, semen shipping costs, and all costs related to achieving a pregnancy increase. The expected increase in costs can be anywhere from two hundred to five hundred dollars a cycle when mares are bred over Saturday and Sunday.
 
Weekend shipments are often fraught with difficulties: unavailable deliveries by UPS and Federal Express, limited flight schedules, limited staffs, and on and on. Carefully managing mares easily avoid these problems. Short-cycling mares or having mares come off hormonal therapy mid week will in most cases result in mid-week inseminations.
 
7.      Who should I contact about having my mare managed for breeding?
 
Please contact Dr. Swyers’ or his staff. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.   The contact telephone # is 951-658-2800. This number is available 24 hours a day. If you feel you need to talk to someone after hours Dr. Swyers cell phone is 951-316-5524. You may also fax requests to 951-742-4688.
 
8.      Where is the semen collection and breeding center?
 
Stallion & Mare Assisted Reproduction, PC (SMART) & Dr. William E. Swyers is located at Tanya Jenkins Performance Horses on 36835 De Portola Rd. in Temecula, California – This southern California location can house and care for mares and stallions managed by SMART. Please contact Dr. William E. Swyers for further information.
 
9.      What is the latest I can still get my mare bred?
 
Communication is critical for successful breeding programs. Dr. Swyers will do everything he can to ensure your mare or your owner’s mare has semen available to be bred at the appropriate time. To do this, communicating early and often helps enable us to provide you with the best services possible. Stallion books in many cases are full for the mares Dr. Swyers manages. Mare pressure and semen quality varies from stallion to stallion therefore it is critical to let us know when a mare is to be cycling. Let us know early in her cycle that she is cycling. Let us know as soon as possible when semen will be needed. In most cases requests for semen  MUST BE made a minimum of 24 hours prior to the day before shipment.
 
10. Should I breed my mare with fresh semen, cooled semen, frozen semen or should I have her bred by
 natural service?
 
Many factors go into how a mare should be bred. Registry requirements, availability of the stallion, semen quality, inherent fertility of the mare and the stallion are just a few things considered when deciding how to breed a mare. Mare owners should make contact early on with stallion owners or breeding managers when determining routes of insemination. Dr. Swyers is also available for consultations when planning a breeding for a single mare or planning a breeding program for all your mares or stallions.
 
11. What are the factors affecting semen shipping?
 
Equine Semen is routinely shipped around the country and for that matter around the world. Fresh cooled semen or frozen semen are the two forms of semen packaging used today. Fresh cooled semen has a limited shelf life of 24 to 48 hours. Mare management is critical in timing when a mare should be bred with in the 24 to 48 hour time span when fresh cooled semen is available. Frozen semen has an unlimited shelf life as long as it is maintained in liquid nitrogen or a liquid nitrogen vapor. Special containers for maintenance and shipping are required. Frozen semen allows mare managers to more easily plan a breeding but cost of the frozen semen, its shipment and in many cases the semen fertility are deterrents in its use. Dr. Swyers routinely breeds many mares a year using all of these techniques. If you have any questions regarding shipped semen please call him anytime. 
 
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1.      When is the Breeding Season?
 
Traditionally in the Northern Hemisphere the equine breeding season runs from February 1 to June 30. There are breed differences and each stallion owner may set their own dates. Stallions managed by Dr. William E. Swyers will be available for breeding during the traditional breeding season. In individual cases stallions may be available for breeding from July through December.
 
2.      Have your stallions been tested and vaccinated for (EVA) Equine Viral Arteritis?
 
All Stallions managed by Dr. William E. Swyers will be tested for EVA. All managed stallions with initial negative titers will be vaccinated. All Dr. Swyers managed stallions with an initial positive titer will be determined to be a non-viral shedder by a minimum of two semen ejaculates being tested for evidence of the EVA virus by viral culture or PCR antigen testing. All semen shipments by Dr. Swyers will be accompanied by documentation of the EVA status of the stallion.
 
3.      Should I vaccinate my mare(s) for (EVA) Equine Viral Arteritis?  
 
The recent increase of EVA cases across the country has raised the question. There is a safe protective modified live viral vaccine. Mares should be vaccinated a minimum of 3 weeks prior to being bred and then a booster should be given annually.   Owners and breeding managers of outside mares bred to stallions managed by Dr. William E. Swyers should consult with their primary care veterinarian before proceeding.
 
4.      Have the stallions your mares(s) are being bred to, been tested for (CEM) Contagious Equine Metritis (Taylorella equigenitalis)?
 
All cooled or frozen semen from outside stallions to be used in the breeding management of mares under the reproductive care of Dr. William E. Swyers must have documentation as having been tested negative for CEM. All semen shipments must be accompanied by documentation of the CEM status of the stallion.
 
All Dr. Swyers managed stallions will be cultured negative for Taylorella equigenitalis with at least one set of cultures from the prepuce, urethra, urethral fossa, and semen. Taylorella equigenitalis is a difficult and fastidious organism to culture. All semen shipments by Dr. Swyers will be accompanied by documentation of the CEM culture status of the stallion.
 
 
5.      What are the semen collection days?
 
Many factors go into establishing semen collection days. Some farms may collect semen every other day alternating odd and even days each month. Others collect semen Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
 
Dr. William E. Swyers managed stallions will be collected for semen Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This avails the use of Federal Express and UPS on a routine basis. In almost every case two packages of extended semen will be sent making it available for Sunday inseminations. 
 
Weekend shipments are often fraught with difficulties: unavailable deliveries by UPS and Federal Express, limited flight schedules, limited staffs, and on and on. Carefully managing mares easily avoid these problems. Short-cycling mares or having mares come off hormonal therapy mid week will in most cases result in mid-week inseminations.
 
6.      Who should I contact to order semen?
 
When your mare, or your owner’s mare is ready to be bred with cooled semen from a stallion Dr. Swyers is managing, please contact Dr. Swyers’ or his staff to order semen.
Dr.William E. Swyers’ office hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.   The contact telephone # is 951-658-2800. This number is available 24 hours a day. If you feel you need to talk to someone after hours Dr. Swyers cell phone is 951-316-5524. You may also fax requests for semen at 951-658-4554.
 
7.      Where are the semen collection and breeding centers?
 
Stallion & Mare Assisted Reproduction, SMART, and Dr. Swyers are located at Tanya Jenkins Performance Horses. The facility is located at 36835 De Portola Rd, in Temecula California. This southern California facility has the capability to house and care for mares and stallions managed by SMART and Dr. Swyers. The facility is well designed to take care of your specific breeding needs. Please contact Dr. William E. Swyers for further information.
 
8.      What is the latest I can order semen and still get it to breed my mare?
 
Communication is critical for successful cooled semen breeding. Dr. Swyers will do everything he can to ensure your mare or your owner’s mare has semen available to be bred at the appropriate time. To do this, communicating with us early and often will help enable us to provide you with the best services possible.   Let us know when a mare is to be cycling. Let us know early in her cycle that she is cycling. Let us know as soon as possible when semen will be needed.
 
In most cases Dr. Swyers managed stallion books are full, therefore, semen will be shipped on a first come-first serve basis.   Usually two insemination doses will be sent but not guaranteed. Mare pressure and semen quality varies with each stallion.     Requests for semen shipments MUST BE made prior to 6:00 PM (PST) the day before shipment.
 
8. How should I have the semen shipped?
 
The carrier used for shipment of cooled semen is often the weak link in a successful breeding. Dr. Swyers routinely uses Federal Express for shipping semen. Over the years this carrier has been the most consistent and convenient for handling semen shipments. This is not to say we have not experienced problems on occasion.   Most of which are related to destination addresses and weekend shipments. UPS can also be used, but we have not experienced Federal Express’ consistency or reliability. “Airline shipments can not be guaranteed. All costs incurred in air cargo shipments are the mare owner’s responsibility, regardless.” This includes courier services to the airport which is 60 + miles away.
 
9. Which shipping containers should I use?
 
The blue Equitainers are the gold standard for shipping cooled semen. They provide the most consistent and reliable end product in all environmental conditions. They are expensive, cost more to ship, and must be returned. . EST Disposable shipping containers are also available for use. Recent studies show that this container will reliably insure good quality semen for 24 hours in most environmental conditions. Temperature extremes, heat and cold may in some cases decrease semen quality.
Mare owners have two options available for shipping container use:
 
A.      Provide their own Equitainer(no mare owner disposable shipping containers will be used). Mare Owner Equitainers will only be used if specified in the stallion-breeding contract. Mare owner Equitainers must be in Dr. Swyers’ hands 7 days before shipment of semen is expected. All parts of the Equitainer including coolant cans, isothermalizer, plastic cups, must be included, and in good working order.
B.       Utilize an Equitainer or EST Shipper provided by Dr. Swyers.  In most cases stallion owners and Dr. Swyers have prearranged for deposits on Equitainers and Shippers. In the event this has not been established, a refundable $250.00 deposit must be made prior to shipping semen. Equitainers or EST Shipper must be returned within 5 working days. Mare owners will be charged a delinquency fee of $10.00 per day for Equitainers or EST Shippers not returned promptly. An Equitainer or EST Shipper not returned within 10 days will be considered lost or stolen and the mare owner forfeits the refundable deposit. Mare owners will be responsible for shipping costs from and back to Dr. Swyers. The mare owner will be responsible for full replacement costs if an Equitainer or EST Shipper is lost or stolen.
 
10. What’s this going to cost?                                    For Dr. Swyers’ managed Stallions    $250.00 / shipment + Shipping:     
$50 to 100.00  Federal Express or UPS shipping expenses to have the semen reach your mare
                                $35 to 50.00    Federal Express or UPS shipping expenses to have an Equitainerreturned
 
o         AIRLINE SHIPMENT COSTS WILL INCLUDE THE SHIPPING FEES, COURIER EXPENSES, PLUS THE   APPROPRIATE COSTS FROM ABOVE.
o         ALL FEES, DEPOSITS, AND CHARGES WILL BE PAID PRIOR TO EACH SHIPMENT OF SEMEN. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.
o         METHODS OF PAYMENT INCLUDE: CERTIFIED CHECK, MONEY ORDER, BANK TRANSFER, MASTER CARD, VISA, DISCOVER, OR AMERICAN EXPRESS.
o         ALL CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS WILL REQUIRE AN AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE ON FILE BEFORE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.

 

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EMBRYO TRANSFER PROGRAM COST ESTIMATE SHEET

                                                                 THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING US FOR YOUR MARE’S REPRODUCTIVE NEEDS

 
                                MARE BREEDING MANAGEMENT / CYCLE                                                                                400.00 to 550.00
 
OPTION ONE:        Donor Mare Embryo Recovery and Transfer to SMART Recipient
                                 * Pre-pay program entry fee                                                                                                              $1,000.00
                                                Recipient Mare Lease due and payable when viable 45 day embryo is evident                $2,500.00
                                 *     Included:    3 cycle embryo recovery attempts when entering into a SMART Embryo contract
                           with pre-paid program entry fee of $1000.00
SMART Recipients are limited and Option One programs must be CONTRACTED BY the beginning of the BREEDING SEASON
 
OPTION TWO:      Donor Mare Embryo Recovery and Ship Embryo to Outside Recipient
                                        * Pre-pay program entry fee                                                                                                          $1,000.00
                                          * Included: 3 cycle embryo recovery attempts with shipment of an embryo
                                          ** Single cycle donor mare embryo recovery attempt                                                                  $ 400.00
                                        TRANSPORTATION TO RECIPIENT FACILITY (LOCAL)                                                                         N/C
                                TRANSPORTATION TO RECIPIENT FACILITY (out of state)        Cost of Shipping same day or overnight
                                                                    PLUS AN EQUITAINER DEPOSIT ($250.00)
CONTACT DR. SWYERS FOR OUTSIDE EMBRYO RECIPIENT HERD LOCATIONS
 
OPTION THREE:  Donor Mare Embryo Recovery with Embryo Vitrification
                                        * Pre-pay program entry fee                                                                                                          $1,000.00
                                               * Included: 3 cycle embryo recovery attempts with shipment of an embryo
                                             ** Single cycle donor mare embryo recovery attempt                                                               $ 400.00
                                                  Embryo Vitrification Procedure includes 1mth storage                                                         $ 450.00
THE COST OF VITRIFICATION INCLUDES THE COST OF TRANSFER INTO A SMART RECIPEINT ONCE THAWED
 
OPTION FOUR:  Shipped Embryo Transfer to SMART Recipient or Embryo Vitrification
                                      Embryo transfer procedure fee                                                                                                        $ 300.00
                                           Recipient Mare Lease due and payable when viable 45 day embryo is evident                      $2,500.00
SMART RECIPIENTS ARE LIMITED AND MAY BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. SMART MAKES NO GAURANTEES AS TO THEIR AVAILABILITY WHEN NEEDED.
 
                                SMART RECIPIENT EXPENSES
                                                                                TRANSFER FEES                                                                                   $ 300.00
                                                                                RECIPIENT MARE COSTS                                                                   $ 2,500.00@
                                                                                RECIPIENT MARE BOARD COSTS
                                                                                                                AFTER 45 DAYS                                          15.00 to 25.00 / Day
                                                                                VITIRIFIED EMBRYO STORAGE FEE / MTH                                                                 $25.00
                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                        Estimated Costs:

PAYMENT OF ALL COSTS INCLUDING CARE EXPENSE AND VETERINARY SERVICE CHARGES ACCRUED WILL BE PAID PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THE DONOR MARE AND OR ANY RECIPIENT MARE.

 

 

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