Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing to breed from your mare can be a complicated process, particularly for the first time breeder. We have included below some of our most frequently asked questions.
We encourage anyone interested in using one of our stallions to get in touch for more information, but hopefully this is a good starting point.
We encourage anyone interested in using one of our stallions to get in touch for more information, but hopefully this is a good starting point.
Q. Is it possible to come and visit the stallions?
A. Yes, of course! We encourage anyone interested in using one of our stallions to come and view the stallions and their offspring ahead of making your choice. We offer viewings by appointment only, but you may come and visit the stallions at home or at a competition.
Q. Are your stallions available at stud in 2024?
A. Yes! Headleys Deluxe will be available for fresh, chilled semen in the UK and frozen semen will be available for the first time worldwide throughout the 2024 season.
Ulano M is currently only available for frozen in 2024.
Q. Do I need to get in touch ahead of requiring the semen?
A. Yes! We appreciate that sometimes mares don't give you much notice, however, the earlier we know when you are planning to send the mare to stud or once you have initially scanned, this gives us a much better chance of being able to arrange the stallion to "walk-in" for collection at our local collection centre. Our stallions are not resident at a stud centre due to their competition careers and training, so the more notice we have the greater chance you will have of receiving the type of semen you require.
Q. What stud terms do you offer on your stallions?
A. All Mickleholme Stud stallions come with a Live Foal Guarantee. This means that if your foal does not survive the pregnancy or dies within the first 24 hours after birth, then we will honour a rebreeding of the mare. Your mare may continue to receive doses of semen until your mare conceives a pregnancy. Likewise, you may request to swap to frozen or chilled semen.
If your mare is not in foal by the 1st October and you have written veterinary confirmation of this (including evidence of EVA and CEM tests which are negative), or the foal dies within 24hrs of birth, the following breeding year, you can receive a free dose of semen from either of the Mickleholme Stud stallions. Mickleholme Stud will only honour the Live Foal Guarantee if the mare is fully vaccinated for Equine Influenza, Tetanus and Equine Herpes Virus, as these diseases can cause abortion of the foetus.
Q. Is there a difference in what type of semen to choose?
Historically, fresh or chilled has been preferred over frozen semen due to increased conception rates and how easily it can be handled. However, with vast improvements in technology and knowledge regarding storing and handling frozen semen, the reliability of using frozen has dramatically improved.
Frozen semen pro's:
Frozen semen con's:
Chilled semen pro's:
Chilled semen con's:
Fresh semen pro's:
Fresh semen con's:
Q. Are the stallions available for natural covering?
A. No. Neither of our stallions are available for natural coverings. This is due to the increased risk of injury to both mare and stallion and also to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted disease.
Q. Are the stallions tested for diseases prior to breeding?
A. Yes! Both of our stallions are tested at the beginning of the breeding season for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM); Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA); Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA); and Strangles. All of our horses at Mickleholme Stud are also vaccinated for Equine Influenza, Tetanus, and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).
We also have had our stallions genetically tested against Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS), Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) and Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD). We do this to minimise the risk of your foal developing a hereditary disease from the stallion.
We actively encourage mare owners to vaccinate against Equine Influenza, Tetanus and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV), and if the mare is a warmblood, we encourage testing for Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS). This means that if your mare tests positive for WFFS, you need to choose a stallion that has tested negative.
Please note that Mickleholme Stud will only honour the Live Foal Guarantee if the mare is fully vaccinated for Equine Influenza, Tetanus and Equine Herpes Virus, as these diseases can cause abortion of the foetus.
Q. Do you offer any discounts or concessions on any of the stud fees?
A. Yes! We are always looking for high quality mares, so offer discounted rates for any mares that either have a proven competition record or have produced offspring competing internationally, or have achieved elite status through youngstock gradings such as the British Breeding Futurity. We also offer discounted rates for multiple mares requiring semen. Please do get in touch if you would like more information or to discuss your mare.
Q. Do you allow semen to be used for embryo transfer (ET)?
A. Yes! We are more than happy for semen to be used for embryo transfer (ET). We do however state in our terms and conditions that if more than one pregnancy is conceived, the mare owner must declare any additional pregnancies and pay the stud fee for each pregnancy.
Q. Is frozen semen available outside of the UK?
A. Yes! From 2023 we will have superb quality frozen semen available worldwide for Headleys Deluxe. Please contact Jess Spalding for further information.
If you have any further questions, please do get in touch. We are more than happy to discuss your requirements.
A. Yes, of course! We encourage anyone interested in using one of our stallions to come and view the stallions and their offspring ahead of making your choice. We offer viewings by appointment only, but you may come and visit the stallions at home or at a competition.
Q. Are your stallions available at stud in 2024?
A. Yes! Headleys Deluxe will be available for fresh, chilled semen in the UK and frozen semen will be available for the first time worldwide throughout the 2024 season.
Ulano M is currently only available for frozen in 2024.
Q. Do I need to get in touch ahead of requiring the semen?
A. Yes! We appreciate that sometimes mares don't give you much notice, however, the earlier we know when you are planning to send the mare to stud or once you have initially scanned, this gives us a much better chance of being able to arrange the stallion to "walk-in" for collection at our local collection centre. Our stallions are not resident at a stud centre due to their competition careers and training, so the more notice we have the greater chance you will have of receiving the type of semen you require.
Q. What stud terms do you offer on your stallions?
A. All Mickleholme Stud stallions come with a Live Foal Guarantee. This means that if your foal does not survive the pregnancy or dies within the first 24 hours after birth, then we will honour a rebreeding of the mare. Your mare may continue to receive doses of semen until your mare conceives a pregnancy. Likewise, you may request to swap to frozen or chilled semen.
If your mare is not in foal by the 1st October and you have written veterinary confirmation of this (including evidence of EVA and CEM tests which are negative), or the foal dies within 24hrs of birth, the following breeding year, you can receive a free dose of semen from either of the Mickleholme Stud stallions. Mickleholme Stud will only honour the Live Foal Guarantee if the mare is fully vaccinated for Equine Influenza, Tetanus and Equine Herpes Virus, as these diseases can cause abortion of the foetus.
Q. Is there a difference in what type of semen to choose?
Historically, fresh or chilled has been preferred over frozen semen due to increased conception rates and how easily it can be handled. However, with vast improvements in technology and knowledge regarding storing and handling frozen semen, the reliability of using frozen has dramatically improved.
Frozen semen pro's:
- Mare and stallion do not need to be at the same location.
- Frozen semen can be ordered and stored ahead of the mare coming in to season, so it is ready and waiting with your Veterinary Surgeon/ AI technician.
- Frozen semen is available all year round and isn't unavailable should the stallion be competing or unable to attend the stud for a collection.
- Frozen semen lasts indefinitely, as long as it is stored correctly, so can be stored for future seasons.
- Multiple doses can be ordered in one shipment for either multiple mares or in case a mare takes more than one attempt to take in foal.
- Frozen semen can be shipped further than fresh or chilled. Once in the shipping container, frozen semen can last for between 7-21 days unlike chilled which has a maximum lifespan of 24-48 hours.
Frozen semen con's:
- Some veterinary practices do not have adequate storage facilities for storing and handling frozen semen. This is important so check with the veterinary practice or stud you are planning to use ahead of requiring semen. We would always advise using a larger stud facility that are experienced in handling frozen semen.
- Once thawed and inseminated, frozen semen has a shorter life span inside the mare (approximately 6 hours). This means insemination must be as close to ovulation as possible. This increases the frequency of ultrasound scans required.
- More frequent ultrasound scans by your veterinary surgeon can make frozen AI more expensive. However, most studs offer AI packages that include all scans and management for a set price, making the process the same price as using chilled.
- Some Veterinary Surgeons or AI technicians are not well practiced in handling, thawing and inseminating frozen semen. It is important you choose an experienced team to handle your mare.
- Shipping fees will apply on top of the stud fee.
Chilled semen pro's:
- Mare and stallion do not need to be at the same location.
- Semen is collected from the stallion before being extended and shipped overnight to the mare owner.
- The semen can usually travel for 24 hours whilst maintaining good motility.
- This is comparable to frozen semen conception rates, but is the next best option to fresh semen in terms of quality and fertility.
Chilled semen con's:
- The stallion may not be available due to training or competition commitments.
- There is a chance that the courier may be delayed and not be able to deliver within the 24 hour window.
- Timing: the mare may ovulate before the semen arrives.
- Collection and shipping fees will apply on top of the stud fee.
Fresh semen pro's:
- Fresh semen is collected from the stallion and inseminated into the mare very shortly after collection. This has the highest fertility rates.
- Minimal to no semen processing involved.
- Less frequent checks or ultrasound scans required from the veterinary surgeon can make this a slightly cheaper option.
- Fresh semen has the greatest chance of achieving conception, so it is recommended for sub-fertile mares.
Fresh semen con's:
- The stallion may not be available due to competition or training commitments.
- The stallion and the mare need to be on the same site or very close by.
- The semen has a short life span once collected and the quality of the semen is constantly falling before insemination.
- The mare owner will have to move their mare to the stud where the stallion is standing at stud.
Q. Are the stallions available for natural covering?
A. No. Neither of our stallions are available for natural coverings. This is due to the increased risk of injury to both mare and stallion and also to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted disease.
Q. Are the stallions tested for diseases prior to breeding?
A. Yes! Both of our stallions are tested at the beginning of the breeding season for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM); Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA); Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA); and Strangles. All of our horses at Mickleholme Stud are also vaccinated for Equine Influenza, Tetanus, and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).
We also have had our stallions genetically tested against Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS), Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) and Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD). We do this to minimise the risk of your foal developing a hereditary disease from the stallion.
We actively encourage mare owners to vaccinate against Equine Influenza, Tetanus and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV), and if the mare is a warmblood, we encourage testing for Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS). This means that if your mare tests positive for WFFS, you need to choose a stallion that has tested negative.
Please note that Mickleholme Stud will only honour the Live Foal Guarantee if the mare is fully vaccinated for Equine Influenza, Tetanus and Equine Herpes Virus, as these diseases can cause abortion of the foetus.
Q. Do you offer any discounts or concessions on any of the stud fees?
A. Yes! We are always looking for high quality mares, so offer discounted rates for any mares that either have a proven competition record or have produced offspring competing internationally, or have achieved elite status through youngstock gradings such as the British Breeding Futurity. We also offer discounted rates for multiple mares requiring semen. Please do get in touch if you would like more information or to discuss your mare.
Q. Do you allow semen to be used for embryo transfer (ET)?
A. Yes! We are more than happy for semen to be used for embryo transfer (ET). We do however state in our terms and conditions that if more than one pregnancy is conceived, the mare owner must declare any additional pregnancies and pay the stud fee for each pregnancy.
Q. Is frozen semen available outside of the UK?
A. Yes! From 2023 we will have superb quality frozen semen available worldwide for Headleys Deluxe. Please contact Jess Spalding for further information.
If you have any further questions, please do get in touch. We are more than happy to discuss your requirements.
