What is Artificial Insemination (AI) in Horses

Artificial insemination (AI) in horses is a breeding technique in which sperm from a stallion is collected and then manually introduced into the mare’s reproductive tract using specialized equipment. This is done in order to improve the chances of pregnancy, without the need for natural mating. The stallion may be local, or may be far away. This process can be done with fresh cooled semen, or frozen semen.

The process involves collecting semen from the stallion using a specialized artificial vagina, which is designed to simulate natural mating. The semen is then evaluated to determine its quality, quantity, or motility. It may be extended or diluted with a special solution to increase the number of mares that can be inseminated from a single collection. The average motility of cooled semen for use in artificial insemination is about 70%. The progressive motility of frozen semen, must be at least 30% for commercial use.

Once the semen has been collected and prepared, as well as shipped to the mare if needed, it is introduced into the mare’s reproductive tract using a catheter or other specialized equipment. This is typically done by a veterinarian, who will carefully monitor the mare’s reproductive cycle and use ultrasound imaging to ensure that the timing of the insemination is optimal for pregnancy.

Artificial insemination is often used in the horse breeding industry to improve genetic diversity, increase the number of foals produced by a single stallion, and reduce the risk of injury to the stallion or mare during natural mating.