MARCH 1997 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 3/1/97; 10:00:00 AM.
websites.HP.["397articles"].faroffspring
#title "Far Offspring"
Far OffspringThe Equine Reproduction and Shipped Semen Seminar at North Idaho College held as advertised by the Kaniksu Quarter Horse Association was well attended. Over 130 people gave ten bucks a head, all proceeds after expenses donated to The Wishing Star Foundation. I wish I would have tape recorded it for my mare.
Speaker and leading authority, Dr. Gordon L. Woods, DVM, Director of the Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory (NERL) at University of Idaho, made the general presentation and answered questions. Equine reproductivity was discussed in reference to his research at Idaho and down in Argentina. They breed horses in Argentina precisely when the United States does not, so his yearly winter trip to the flip side of the planet doubles the critical research time to study active reproductivity (optimum Spokane, June 22; optimum Buenos Aires, December 22). Dr. Woods informed the audience of the latest developments at NERL. He introduced the topics of shipped semen containers and embryo transplant with an anecdote about some work he did with mares for the Thorn family (Hamilton-Thorn Research). A poll of hands from the audience showed a small percentage of those present were shipping semen out via equitainer, and a smaller percentage were shipping semen in. Experience with disposable equitainers revealed pervasive dissatisfaction. Further, there was little experience among attendees with embryo transplant, and most were as surprised as I was at the typical expense mentioned, around $6,000. Science gets spendy. The formal presentation was certain to perk the interest of breeders who have a favorite mare in search of a father for the super horse, or a stud raring to ship FedEx or UPS.
The second half of the program was question and answer format hosted by Dr. Dave Tester, DVM from Coeur d'Alene, and Dr. Jed McKinlay, DVM from Spokane. Questions obviously showed that interest level was high, experience level was moderate, and specialized know-how was at a premium. Both veterinarians stressed that the local professional level of expertise in the Veterinary Community for shipped semen is exceptional, and the utilization of that resource by breeders is gradually increasing. Dr. Tester and Dr. McKinlay both repeated a caveat of Dr. Woods about aged mares and embryo work. They acknowledged the cautionary aspects of shipping semen to and from Canada due to border inspection. They discussed the quality of shipped semen issue and stressed a reliance upon the veterinary profession to help control it. Dr. McKinlay emphasized the necessity of professional, combined breeder-veterinarian reputation at both points of the shipped semen transaction. Further, he agreed with Dr. Woods that the window of opportunity for successful introduction of shipped semen to the mare almost precludes insemination over a weekend. Breeders had better hope for favorable conditions during the week.
If you have thought about expanding the reproductive horizon of your stallion or mare, this was a great introductory seminar. The thing which got me to thinking the most about all this science was the economics. If I had a broodmare with the conformation, temperament and pedigree that was worthy of producing championship foals and I could not find the proper pedigree locally, I might consider shipped semen. How big a hole could I afford to blow in a pedigree? I would have to weigh the expense against the market if I wanted to sell the foal locally or wherever. What kind of foal would I keep, if economics allowed? Package veterinary fees start around $300, so a mare owner could expect to pay the source of semen collection, plus the introduction of the semen, or about $600, plus stud fee. Guarantees for shipped semen are few and far between, so the process might have to be repeated. Risk, transportation, and mare (plus foal) care all enter into the equation. It looks to me like the science curve is a little ahead of the economics curve in figuring this out.
Below are references that I picked up at the seminar. I called Hamilton-Thorn and told them I was Roy Roger's nephew and they sent me their abundant materials free. Normally they are ten bucks. Good luck and good science.
Bob Howdy, PhD
Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory
Department of Animal and Veterinary Science
College of Agriculture, University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2201
Telephone 208-885-6507
Fax: 208-885-0501; e-mail: gwoods@uidaho.eduTransported Semen Handbook for The Stallion Owner
and The Veterinarian Hamilton-Thorn Research
P.O. Box 2099, South Hamilton, Mass 01982
Telephone: 800-367-0266
