Frequently Asked Questions...

I get a lot of questions about breeding, stud fees, shipped semen, etc. and I find myself answering the same

questions for lots of people...  So, I decided to put some of these answers in print, so people

can easily get answers to their questions.

General Breeding Questions:

Do you offer any Discounts?
Yes, I offer several discounts. 
Multiple Mare discounts are offered to customers who Book more than one mare.
Early Booking Discounts are offered to customers who Book before Feb. 1st, 2008.
Loyalty Discounts are give to customers who bred mares in the previous season.
Mix and Match stallions to your mares.  Most stallions offered with the discounts.
 

When is Breeding Season?

Well, due to the fact that I am pregnant, and expecting my first baby in Late Feb. 2008... the 2008 Breeding season will have to start a few weeks later that normal.  The 2008 season is scheduled to start around April 1st  and go through July 15, 2008.  Dates are subject to change.

What is a Booking Fee?

A Booking Fee is a fee paid to Guarantee the Mare Owner a breeding to a Particular stallion for that season.  The Mare is "Booked" to that stallion.  The "Stud Fee" Includes the Booking Fee.  The Booking Fee is paid in advance, or when the mare arrives at the farm for breeding.  The Balance of the stud fee is due when mare is pronounced in foal, or when mare is picked up after being bred for on-farm breedings. Balance is paid prior to the first shipment for customers ordering shipped semen.

Do I get a Guarantee with me Breeding?

Yes, the Breeding comes with a Live Foal Guarantee.  If the breeding does not result in a Live Foal, then the Mare Owner may rebreed the Mare, or an approved substitute mare, the same season or the following year. 

Do I get this Guarantee in Writing?

Yes, there is a Contract for Breeding that has all Guarantees, and details in writing.  Contracts can be down-loaded from this site.  See each stallion's page for his contracts, or click here.

What is the Conception Rate for Mares bred at your farm?

97.2% of the mares bred in 2004 got In-Foal.  This includes mares bred On-Farm, and Shipped Semen customers.
I hope to get updated data for other years as time permits.  (numbers are similar in following years)

How many times did the mares have to be bred before they got in foal?

Of all the pregnant mares in 2004, 78.58% of  them got In-Foal on the First cycle they were bred. 

17.14% conceived on the Second heat cycle.  Most of these mares were mares that were bred on the Foal Heat the first cycle, but they didn't settle until the second cycle. 

4.28% conceived on the Third cycle.  All of these mares had serious reproduction management issues. 

Do you accept Unregistered or Grade Mares for breeding?

Yes, I do accept Mares that are not registered.  I may require recent photos of the mares to approve her conformation and size.  Most of the resulting foals could be eligible for registration with the Buckskin, Palomino, Pinto, or Half Quarter Horse Registries. I don't breed very small pony mares.

Do you accept Draft mares, Gated mares, Arabians, or other breeds of mares other than Quarter Horses and Paints?

Yes, I accept most breeds of mares, including Draft mares, as long as they are safe, and manageable.   I do Not accept very small ponies.   If the resulting foal will be eligible for registration through an association other than AQHA, APHA, or ApHC and the Mare Owner wishes to register the foal, then Mare owner will be responsible for fees associated with listing stallions, memberships, shipped semen permits, etc. for that foal to be eligible. 

Can my foal be registered... even if my mare is not registered?
Yes.  Foals by my AQHA or APHA stallions can be registered with the Half Quarter Horse Registry.  I'd be glad to sign the breeder's certificates, and applications for registration. 
Also, Palomino foals can be registered with the Palomino Breeders club.  All Buckskin and Dun foals can be registered with the Buckskin clubs, and all Paint colored foals can be registered with the Pinto club.  Please check with these associations for specific and current registration requirements.

Does my Mare need any extra care prior to being bred?

Make sure your mare is in good health, updated on her shots, and worming.  A current Coggins test is also required. A simple Pre-Breeding exam by a Vet by Palpation and Ultrasound is recommended, especially if your mare has had any reproductive problems.  If your mare has never been bred, or no problems are suspected, then a Pre-Breeding exam might be unnecessary.  Mares will be examined here immediately upon arrival. 

What information about my Mare will you need?

If your mare is registered, then I will need a photo copy of her registration papers, front and back, showing you as the current owner.  Send the copy of the papers with your Booking fee and contract, or bring it with you when you bring the mare for breeding.  If the mare is registered, but has not been put in your name yet...  then take care of the transfer prior to breeding.  I will NOT breed mares that are owned by someone other than yourself.  The actual owner of the mare must sign the breeding contract.

Questions concerning ON-FARM Breedings...

Do I have to pay for Palpations, Ultrasounds, Inseminations, Collections, or Pregnancy checks for my mare while being bred at your farm?
Usually Not.  These services are Included with paid breedings to my stallions for the first cycle.  The 2008 paid Stud Fee includes collections and inseminations for the first cycle, up to 10 ultrasounds for the first cycle, and also a pregnancy check.  Most mares get in foal here on the first cycle, and rarely is a mare bred through a second cycle.  Usually, if a mare needs bred a second time... it is because she failed to conceive on her foal heat, or has some reproductive problems.   If the mare fails to conceive in the first cycle, then there will be fees associated with breeding her a second time.  These fees cover the costs of sterile breeding and collection supplies and materials, and time and cost involved with rebreeding including palpations and ultrasounds..

(Donated Services, Return Breedings, or Retained Breedings to stallions will have to pay for these services.)

Who pays for the grain, hay, and care of my mare while at the breeding farm?

These expenses are covered in your Mare Care fee.  Mare Care is charged to cover the costs of  feed and care of the Mare for each day that she is at the breeding farm.  Hay and Feed costs have gone up drastically due to the drought in 2006, floods of 2007, etc .  I will keep the Mare Care as affordable as I can.  Mare care is slightly higher for mares with foals.   If there are special care requirements, or special stalling requirements for the mare, then Mare Care may be slightly higher.  If your mare has special needs, please inform Breeder.  Update: 2008 Mare care will be $10 dry, $12  for mares with foals due to very high hay, feed, and labor costs.

Will my mare be Pasture bred?   Live Cover?  or bred by A.I.?

For the safety of mares, foals at side, and stallions...  all mares are inseminated.   This is also for better fertility, and sanitation.  Plus, all semen is evaluated prior to insemination to insure fertility and quality. 
 

My mare does Not show heat.  I never know when she is in season.  We have tried to breed her, and she won't accept a stallion.  Can you help me get my mare pregnant?
Yes, I can help you with your mare.  There are a lot of mares that do not show heat well, and breeding live cover can be difficult or impossible.  Not to mention dangerous for everyone involved.  I deal with many mares like this every year, including a few of my own.  The mares are usually cycling just fine on the inside, but not showing heat outwardly to the stallion.  Many mares will Not accept a stallion for breeding, even if they do show heat.  Not a problem here.  As long as she is ovulating, we can inseminate her, and should be able to get her in foal.  She is monitored by Ultrasound.  Breeding by A.I. eliminates the stress and danger of breeding mares like these, and also eliminates risk to a newborn foal at her side.

When can my Mare go home?

After mares are bred, and ovulation is confirmed, the Mare Owner is welcome to come pick up the mare.  I do not require that the mares stay here until the mare is pronounced 30 or 45 days in foal.  Mares can stay here longer if mare owner chooses, and leave after being checked in foal.  The decision is made by the mare owner.  Mares may also be returned to farm for pregnancy checks.  (I am not a Boarding Facility, and pregnant mares need to be picked up promptly.)

What vet care does my mare have to have before being bred?

I require that mares be in good health, and free from infectious or contagious disease.  Mares should be vaccinated between 1 to 3 months prior to arriving at the farm if possible for EW Sleeping Sickness, Tetanus, Flu, Rhino, and I also require West Nile and Rabies.  Mares should be dewormed also.  A current Neg. Coggins is also required, within 12 months.  Mares that do not meet these requirements will be vaccinated, wormed, and tested here, at mare owner's expense, prior to breeding.

Questions about Cooled SHIPPED SEMEN...

What is the most important factor for shipped semen?
Communication!  It is very important that the mare owner and/or mare owner's vet stay in touch with the stallion manager so that can work together to plan for semen shipping when it is needed.

Can you tell me about Shipped Semen? 

Shipped Semen is offered to my customers.  The semen has to be collected just prior to shipment.  It is evaluated, processed, and packaged for shipment.  The cooled semen is sent via UPS, or FedEx for overnight delivery.

How do I know when my mare needs to be bred?

Your Vet or Reproduction Facility will need to examine your mare by Ultrasound to determine when she is approaching Ovulation.  The semen is ordered toward the end of her cycle so that she is inseminated just prior to Ovulation.  Injections to help her ovulate are also usually given when she is inseminated.

How will I know if she got pregnant?

Your Vet or Reproduction Facility can Ultrasound your mare 14 to 18 days after ovulation to determine if she is pregnant.  Results must be reported to Stallion Station immediately.

What will the stallion farm charge me to ship cooled semen? 

Shipped Semen if offered on most stallions.  The First shipment is discounted to only $95.    If additional shipments are needed, then the regular fee for a shipment of $195. is charged to cover the cost of Collection, Evaluation, Processing, Packaging, and overnight Shipping of the semen. Shipping is available within the US states only. Canada shipments may also be possible.
Hopefully, the timing will be good, and the mare will conceive the first time, and there will not be a need for additional shipments.  (Donated breedings, or Retained breedings for stallions, will be charged $195 per shipment)
Delivery on Saturdays also requires an additional $25 fee.

What is the semen shipped in?

I use a lightweight container called an "Equine Express II".  It can hold one or two doses of semen and it is designed specifically for shipping cooled semen.   The cost of the shipping container is $35.  It can be returned, and reused for additional shipments if all the parts are intact, and it is returned in good condition.  If the container is not returned, and an addition shipment is ordered... then the mare owner will be required to purchase another container.

Is there any information about Shipped Semen that I can read?

Yes, there is a good book called "Shipping Semen? How to Have a Successful Experience" by Penny Ahmed. 150 pages.  I personally have reviewed this book, and it is informative and thorough, yet simple enough to be understood by owners new to reproduction or breeding.

Is there Paperwork involved with shipped semen?

Yes, with registered horses, there are required forms, and insemination reports that MUST be filled out, and sent to the breed associations, and back to the stallion owner.  The paperwork isn't complicated, but it must be completed according to association rules.  Insemination Reports are also required for unregistered mares, and should be returned to the stallion owner.

 

Questions about COLOR GUARANTEES...

What are the Color Guarantees you mentioned?

Some of my Stallions, Allthat N Abagachips, Mr Poco Jessie Tivio, Zach Blue, Fancy King Goldmaker, and Pepsi Skippin Scotch are Guaranteed to Never sire a plain sorrel foal.  It is Genetically impossible. These stallions will sire color 100% of the time.  Please read about each stallion below and the color producing ability of each.

This Bullys On Fire, a Buckskin, and Skeexizs Bob, a true Black, will also sire a high percent of color.  There is a good chance of color with these two, but no guarantees.

I have a plain colored Mare, and I DO NOT want a sorrel foal.  Can you Guarantee I Won't get a sorrel foal?
Yes.  If you want to Guarantee that you will Not get a sorrel foal, then you can pick from several of my stallions, that Genetically Can NOT produce a plain sorrel foal.   Some of the other stallions are also great color producers.

AQHA Stallions:
  Allthat N Abagachips is registered as a Perlino, but is actually a Smokey Cream Roan, and will produce color 100% of the time.  He can Only sire Buckskins, Smokey Blacks, and Palominos  on sorrel and bay mares.  It is genetically Impossible for him to produce a Sorrel, Chestnut, or Bay foals.  He also carries a ROAN gene, and has sired a Blue Roan and a Palomino Roan foal on sorrels!  Genotype= EeaaCrCr+Rn
   Mr Poco Jessie Tivio is a true Perlino.  He has sires 100% Buckskins and Buckskin Duns with common colored mares.  Most of the mares bred to Tivio have been sorrels.  We believe he is homozygous and will only sire Buckskins, no Palominos.  He also carries the Dun gene.  It is genetically Impossible for him to produce a Sorrel, Chestnut, or Bay foal. He is a  100% Color Sire.  Genotype=EEAACrCr+Dn
  Zach Blue is a true Blue Roan stallion.  He is a 100% Roan producer.  If you like Roans, then you are Guaranteed a Roan foal with this stallion.  Every foal he has ever sired has been a Roan.  He is Homozygous for Roan and Black and will sire 100% Roans.  Genotype= EEaaRnRn.
 This Bullys On Fire, is a young stallion whose first foal will arrived in 2006. She is a Golden Buckskin out of a Bay mare.  Bully is a Dark Golden Buckskin, and carries color genes.  When bred to sorrel mares, he can produce Buckskins, Palominos, Bays and Sorrels.  When bred to sorrel mares, he should produce a Non-Sorrel foal 75% of the time.  Bred to other colors, he will produce even fewer sorrels.  Genotype= EeAaCrcr.
Skeezixs Bob, is a True Black stallion.  He doesn't even sun-bleach and he stays Black all year.  He sires Black foals, even on sorrel mares.  Skeezix can also sire Black & White paints, when bred to Paint mares.  He has sired many colors of foals when bred to a variety of mares.  Foal Colors include: Black, Brown, Chestnut, Bay, Sorrel, Buckskin & Palomino.  Genotype= Eeaa.
  Zanton Firewater, is a Golden Palomino.  He carries on Creme gene and will pass this on to his foals, approx. 50% of the time.  He can also sire Buckskins when bred to Bay, Brown, or Black mares.  Genotype= eeAACrcr.
 My Hot Digity, is a Chestnut stallion.  His Chestnut gene is slightly different than a sorrel gene, and when bred to Blacks and other colors it is easier to get colored foals from those mares.  He has sired Blacks, Grays, Palominos, Bays, Paints, and other colors.  Colored mares bred to Digity are your best bet for getting colored foals with him.  Genotype= eeaa.

APHA Paint Stallions:
Fancy King Goldmaker, is one of my paint stallions.  He is a Cremello Tobiano.  He can only sire Buckskins, Palominos, Grullo, and Black Foals.  It is genetically impossible for him to sire a Sorrel, Bay, or Chestnut foal.  He is 100% guaranteed not to have a sorrel.  He is Heterozygous for the Tobiano gene.  Genotype= eeaaCrCrTt.  I'm also giving a Paint Foal guarantee with him.
  Pepsi Skippin Scotch, is a new colt I got in the summer of 2005.  He is a Buckskin Tobiano.  He is also Homozygous for the Tobiano gene, and will produce colored Paints 100% of the time.  Never a solid.  Guaranteed a paint foal every time, and he can also produce the Buckskins, Palominos, Blacks, etc!  Bred to sorrel mares, he should produce Non-sorrel paint foals 75% of the time, and paints 100% of the time. 
Genotype= EeAaCrcrTT.
 

I have a Buckskin or Palomino mare, and I want to breed her to your Buckskin stallion.  I've been told that is my best chance of a Buckskin with her.  But, I've been told I may get a foal with blue eyes, and pink skin.  I don't want a pink skinned foal.  What are my odds?
I get this question a lot.  Yes, breeding a Buckskin to a Buckskin gives you a great chance of a Buckskin foal.  However, there is also a slim chance of a "Pink" foal from this cross.  We used to call these "Pink" foals Albinos, but we now know they are Cremellos, and Perlinos.  They sunburn easily, and there a few other management problems with them.  Any Palomino or Buckskin, bred to another Palomino, Buckskin, Cremello, or Perlino... could result in a "Pink" foal.   The odds are slim, but it could happen.  I'd be glad to discuss the specific odds for your mare, and my stallion if you have concerns.  

What if I don't want a 'Pink" foal, but I get one?
If you breed your Palomino or Buckskin mare to one of my stallions, and she produces a "Pink" foal...  but you don't want a pink foal... then I'll rebreed the mare for free.  You can bring the mare, and the "pink" foal back for a rebreed.  I'll cover the Mare Care, and expenses for her to be rebred, and I'll continue to take care of her until the foal is old enough to wean.  I'll keep the "pink" foal and you can pick up your pregnant mare.  You won't have to pay for the second breeding, and I'll keep the first foal.  I only offer this foal exchange/rebreed offer for registered foals.


Questions about Mare Management for Receiving Shipped Semen

My vet doesn't have an Ultrasound Machine, and has never dealt with Shipped Semen.   But, I want to breed my Mare to a stallion via Shipped Semen.  Can you help me breed my mare?
Yes.  If you want to bring your mare to my facility, and have me manage your mare for you, then I can do that.  One of my regular customers has asked me to do this for them, and I have agreed.  We have bred several mares here, by ordering cooled semen, and inseminating the mares here, under my management.  The first year we received Shipped Semen here, we had a 100% success rate with their mares, and all but one conceived on the first try.  Only one mare took 2 cycles.  I have had several seasons with successful Shipped Semen breedings now.  I'll offer this service to other Mare Owners too.  I will monitor your mare here, and keep track of her cycle by Ultrasound exam.  When she approaches ovulation, I can order the semen from the stud farm, and inseminate your mare here.  Pregnancy exams can also be done here.  She can stay here and I'll take care of the breeding for you.  Please call me to discuss your mare if this breeding option interests you.  Stud fees, stud contracts, and guarantees are between the mare owner and stallion owner.  I act as a manager only. 

Questions about breeding to the Zebra stallion
In Dec. of 2006 I purchased a Zebra stallion. He was foaled in July 2004.  I plan to do limited breeding with him starting in 2007 if he is mature enough to breed.   Zebras mature slower than horses and in the wild they usually start breeding when they are 5 yrs old.  In captivity, they may start breeding as young as 3 to 5 yrs old.  If interested in breeding to a Zebra... please contact me.  (Update: Not standing to the public yet)
 

Other questions and answers will be added as needed.  Meanwhile, if you did not get the answer to your question, or have a suggestion for an additional Q&A, please let me know.  Thanks, Bedonna
 

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