Assisted Reproduction Services for Horses

We typically examine mares for breeding soundness before purchase or breeding, or when a mare is barren. This comprehensive evaluation includes a physical exam of the external genitalia and mammary gland; palpation and ultrasound of the internal genitalia; vaginoscopy; aerobic culture and cytologic evaluation of an endometrial swab/sample; and histologic evaluation of an endometrial biopsy sample. If any abnormalities are detected, we’ll recommend appropriate therapy to ensure the healthiest possible pregnancy and foaling.

We have invested in the most advanced semen analysis system currently available (SpermVision from MiniTube). It provides reliable, objective analysis of equine semen quality – contributing to our consistently high success rates.

When the volume of semen is low or when frozen-thawed semen is used, deep horn insemination is an effective technique for delivering sperm to the tip of the uterine horn in close proximity to the utero-tubal junction, optimizing the probability of conception. Kokopelli is highly experienced in this type of insemination.

With embryo transfer, a mare can produce offspring without carrying the foal to term herself. As a result, multiple offspring can be generated from one mare within a breeding season. Different stallions can be used for each desired pregnancy, and mares have minimal interruption to their training and competition schedule. Breeders may house their mare to a local facility for management throughout the breeding and transfer process or have their mare bred and flushed at another facility and ship the embryo to us for transfer.

Kokopelli offers the full range of technology and techniques to assess and treat infertility in mares, including lab testing, ultrasonography, and transcervical endometrial biopsy.

After breeding, we can provide timely, onsite pregnancy diagnosis and ongoing monitoring to ensure a healthy foal. Transrectal ultrasonography is the most useful tool for early pregnancy diagnosis, identification of twins, and detection of uterine or ovarian problems. Kokopelli offers the most advanced ways to reduce twin pregnancies. We also provide endocrine testing, if indicated.

We provide routine breeding management with fresh, chilled/shipped, or frozen semen. Successful insemination in these cases hinges on accurate estrus detection as well as appropriate handling of the semen. Our experience in these areas contributes to a high insemination success rate.

Appropriate handling is crucial to ensure the viability of a stallion’s semen, whether it’s being used within hours or years. As specialists, we are fully equipped for collecting, preserving, freezing, short- and long-term storage of equine semen, and shipping. We also can evaluate the stallion’s semen for sperm count and motility.

Subfertility in a breeding stallion (when achieving conception takes longer than what is typically expected) can occur for a variety of reasons, including age, injury, genetics, management, or disease. With the breadth of our theriogenology capabilities, we can provide a comprehensive evaluation of subfertility in breeding stallions. This evaluation includes a detailed history, complete physical examination, semen evaluation, and selected diagnostic testing.