FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split a breeding dose?

Some veterinarians and technicians prefer to use half a dose before ovulation and half a dose after ovulation. This is the only time splitting a dose is acceptable. It is not fair to your mare, veterinarian or technician, nor to the supplier of the frozen semen to use less than one dose per cycle. In fact, improved results are often obtained when two doses per cycle are used. You will receive only one stallion certificate per dose.

A breeding dose contains enough motile post-thaw sperm to provide a reasonable chance at a conception.

Do you have the semen on hand or do you order it from Europe?

The semen is in Europe. We take your order and payment, and then send for the semen.

How long will it take for me to the semen to get here?

The semen is usually returned to the USA within two weeks, but there are sometimes delays.

How long will it take for me to receive my semen once it is in the USA?

We ship to our clients in the order in which we receive their shipping and container contracts with requested shipping dates. If you have a specific time you'd like to receive your semen, please get your contract to us as soon as possible. Many people prefer to breed in April, but we cannot ship to everyone at the same time. Therefore, if you want to be positive you will have your semen on time during high-demand months, please consider ordering early and having it on hand.

How much does shipping cost?

Domestic shipping is $225, which includes pre-paid, roundtrip shipping. Canadian and international shipping are $25, plus actual costs.

Are there any other costs involved in purchasing semen?

No. The cost of the semen, and shipping from SES to you are the only costs.

How many straws are in a dose?

It varies. The Hanoverian State Stud, for example, packages their semen in eight 0.5 ml straws per dose. Other suppliers provide a dose in two, three, or four straws, or sometimes one macro straw. But eight straws per dose is the most common number.

How many sperm are in a dose?

A breeding dose commonly contains 600 to 800 million sperm, but can contain up to a billion sperm. The industry minimum standard for a breeding dose is 300 million motile post-thaw sperm, though pregnancies have occurred with many fewer sperm.

Why do some places offer the same dose for less?

There are frozen semen suppliers who pinch straws from their doses and you receive a partial dose. We always sell full doses, containing the same number of straws per dose that the suppliers sell us as a dose.

How many doses do I need?

We suggest at least two doses per mare, when using one dose per cycle. (If you were breeding your mare live-cover, how many cycles would you try her?) When using the timed insemination protocol (see "information" page) splitting an eight-straw dose and using four straws with each of the two inseminations per cycle is acceptable. Buy enough semen to inseminate the same number of cycles with frozen. And don't forget--foals conceived from those "extra" doses can also be registered.

How do I know the semen I receive is from the stallion I ordered?

The straws are clearly marked with the stallion's name. All the stallions have been DNA tested and/or bloodtyped. Parentage testing will verify this information.

How do I know if a stallion is approved by my registry?

Each stallion on our roster is approved for one or more European registries. These approvals do not necessarily mean approval by the same registry in the USA, though often the counterpart registry here will accept the same stallions. It is essential that you investigate the approval status of a stallion with the U.S. registry you intend to register your foal with, before you inseminate your mare.

Which registries accept which stallions on your roster?

Each registry has its own criteria for approving a stallion for use. RPSI, so far, accepts all of the stallions on our list. Many other registries, such as ISR/Old, accept all of the Hanoverian State Stud stallions and the Oldenburg-approved stallions, and many from other breeds. AHS accepts many of the Hanoverian stallions, but not all of them. ATA accepts only Trakehner and some Arabian and Thoroughbred stallions. You can see why it is crucial to find out before you breed how a stallion's offspring are eligible for registration.

How do I obtain an insemination and/or breeding certificate?

We will issue a certificate for each pregnancy you achieve, according to which registry you will be applying to for registration.

If I buy two doses, and get my mare in foal with one dose, can I use the extra dose on another mare?

Yes. And we will issue a certificate for that pregnancy as well. However, you will receive only one stallion certificate per dose. It is not fair to your mare, veterinarian or technician, nor to the supplier of the frozen semen to use less than one dose per cycle. In fact, improved results are often obtained when two doses per cycle are used.

Is there a live-foal guarantee?

No. We buy the semen with no live-foal guarantee, so that is how we sell it to you. Though it may seem risky, the fact that you may register all resultant foals from the semen you purchase, in the long run, should make up for the lack of a live-foal guarantee. A live-foal guarantee does not really guarantee you a live foal. It simply guarantees you can pay more booking, chute, board and veterinary costs until you hopefully get a foal. If you never get a live foal, you do not get your money back. Considering the higher costs of live and fresh-cooled breeding, frozen semen, in the long run, is actually the most cost-effective breeding method.

What is the conception rate using frozen semen?

According to the Equine Research Centre at Guelph, Ontario, Canada, as well as E. L. Squires of the Colorado State University reproduction program, the conception rate with frozen semen is now the same as live cover. Of course, there are many variables that affect conception rates, including semen quality, the expertise of the inseminator and the reproductive status of the mare.

Why don't you publish your conception rates?

Because there are too many variables which can make a stallion's conception rate seem better or worse than it actually is. In fairness to our clients and to our suppliers, we prefer to communicate with you personally, to discuss what we know about each stallion in a balanced and fair manner. There are already enough rumors floating around, many based on secondhand information, which have unfairly damaged stallions' careers. We disseminate only firsthand information.

Can I trust semen quality or conception rate information posted to the internet?

Not necessarily. Though some of the information may be accurate, we personally have observed several high-conception stallions unfairly denounced as poor frozen semen sires on the web. There are many factors that can affect semen quality, most notably handling by the shipper and the inseminator.

How do I know that the semen quality will be good?

There are many variables that can affect the quality of frozen semen. The semen we obtain from Europe has been collected, processed and handled by skilled professionals. We also handle the semen according to accepted practices, insuring you of the finest semen quality obtainable. When it comes to our attention that a stallion produces sub-standard frozen semen, we will remove him from our list.

How do I know which stallions have the best quality semen?

We have detailed records on semen quality and conception rates on many of the stallions. When purchasing a stallion's semen for the first time, we query the supplier as to the semen quality and whether or not the stallion has foals from frozen semen. We recommend that you never risk more than you can afford to lose when purchasing semen from an unproven stallion, though many will turn out to be excellent frozen sires.

Does lesser quality semen mean I shouldn't breed to a stallion I am highly interested in?

No. New deep uterine techniques and the increased expertise of many inseminators means that even sub-standard semen can achieve an acceptable pregnancy rate. But when using semen of lower quality it is recommended that you use a highly experienced veterinarian and a mare that has previously conceived with frozen semen.

What is post-thaw motility?

Post-thaw motility refers to the number of normal, active or "motile" sperm that have survived the freezing process and are available to impregnate your mare.

What is a good post-thaw motility?

A 35% post-thaw motility is considered the industry minimum, but many pregnancies have been achieved with significantly fewer sperm. Most of our stallions have post-thaw rates of between 35 and 75%, but we have some stallions on our list with post-thaw rates of 85 to 95%. Many stallions with lower post-thaw rates still have good conception rates.

What factors can affect post-thaw motility?

If the semen is improperly handled or thawed, the post-thaw motility can be drastically affected. This is why we provide concise information about handling and thawing to your veterinarian or technician when we ship the semen to them.

How is frozen semen stored?

Frozen semen is stored in a tank in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of minus 360-degrees Farenheit.

How long can frozen semen be stored and still be viable upon thawing?

It should keep indefinitely. The Hanoverian State Stud in Celle, Germany has achieved a conception with semen frozen 30 years ago.

What should I or my inseminator do if the semen arrives in a thawed or damaged state?

Call us immediately so we can file an insurance claim. The semen is insured by us until the person who accepts delivery unloads it from the shipping container, at which time it becomes their responsibility. Our insurance only covers the the semen during shipping. You must return the straws to us before the claim is filed.

How can I increase my chances for conception when using frozen semen for the first time?

Purchase enough semen from a stallion with a proven frozen semen conception rate. Use a veterinarian or technician with proven success using frozen semen. Use a mare in good reproductive health and, if possible, one that has conceived with frozen semen before. You will find more information about breeding with frozen semen on our "information" page.

Should I use frozen semen on a maiden mare?

Though a maiden mare represents something of an "unknown" quantity, if she has not recently been in hard training, is not too old and has passed a reproductive soundness exam, she has a very good chance of conceiving with frozen semen.