Oocyte Aspiration

An ultrasound exam is performed on the donor mare to determine how many follicles are present. Many mares have 12 to 18 immature follicles on their ovaries. This can occur at most anytime in the cycle but perhaps more often when the mare is approaching her heat cycle. The next step is TVA (transvaginal aspiration). An ultrasound guided needle is utilized to aspirate the oocytes (eggs) from as many follicles as possible. The oocytes are located under the microscope, packaged for transport and shipped to the facility performing the ICSI. At the ICSI facility they are matured for around 24 hours prior to injection. The oocytes that mature are then injected with a sperm cell. They are then incubated for 7-9 days and the injected oocytes that mature into embryos are then placed into recipient mares. If a large number of embryos are produced they can be vitrified (frozen).

Embryo Transfer

Our embryo transfer service is designed for clients who wish to breed their mare but are hesitant due to health concerns or have a desire to continue showing their horse. Black Rock Equine Clinic offers recipient mares that are capable of carrying foals. This is an advanced reproductive procedure in which an embryo is flushed out of a mare on the seventh day after breeding, and ovulation is confirmed. The embryo is then placed into the uterus of a recipient mare. The recipient mare carries, delivers and nurses the foal. This enables you to have a foal or multiple foals in one year, while continuing to show, train or use your own mare. This also ensures that your own mare remains safe from possible complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Breeding Soundness Exam

A complete breeding soundness examination includes an overview of the overall health of the mare, a physical evaluation of the external genitalia and mammary glands and a combination of tran-rectal palpation and ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries. Additionally, diagnostic testing to thoroughly assess a mare’s breeding potential is an important consideration as well. Part of this assessment is determining the mare’s risk to endometritis, an inflammation of the uterine lining that is a common threat to equine fertility. Diagnostic options to assess a mare's breeding soundness are endometrial culture, endometrial cytology test, and endometrial biopsy.

Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination (AI) in horses is a common breeding method involving the collection of stallion semen and its placement into the mare's uterus during her heat cycle to achieve pregnancy. AI offers benefits like improved breeding efficiency, reduced disease transmission risk, the preservation of valuable bloodlines, and the ability to breed with semen shipped from afar or stored after a stallion's death. The procedure is performed by a veterinarian, using fresh, chilled, or frozen semen, with success rates influenced by semen quality, accurate timing of insemination, and the mare's reproductive health. Dr. Fouts can also do deep horn insemination, the process of placing the semen at the end of the uterine horn near the uterotubular junction or entrance to the oviduct. Deep-horn insemination is known for being one of the most efficient and productive ways to implant semen. 

Mare Management

We believe the breeding process begins with the health and well-being of the mare. We have a veterinarian on-site to provide ultrasounds, pre- and post-natal care, and neonatal care. We have camera monitored 14 x 24 foaling stalls with automatic waterers and quality feed. Private daily turnout is available. 12 x 12 stalls with partially covered runs are available year-round. We are committed to ensuring quality care of your mare from breeding soundness exam through foaling.