AI vs. Hand Breeding

horse_crazy · 11-05-2003, 03:37 PM

Just wondering what all of you guys prefer out of Al and hand breeding. We prefer AI. It is safer for the mare and stallion(and foal is the mare has one). Thereis less chance for disease transmitting, and I thinkit healthier. We currently are getting a contract(if you call it) to get an AI breeding from Peponita. This year was our decision, we decided NO MORE HAND BREEDING!!!!!!! We bred 3 mares, and I belive only 2 of them took. And it was horrible! I hate sending my mares to some breeders! So we have decided to started AI this coming spring!

Dawn · 11-05-2003, 03:45 PM

I don't personally breed, but as a rule, I like hand breeding better.

Reasoning behind this

The stallion should be well mannered enough to not do any damage. So should the mare. IMO, they should not be bred if they aren't.

The stud and mare should have been tested for any diseases beforehand regardless of what method you use.

It's just more natural.

Of course, there are some disadvantages, but that's my view.

Sandra-A1 · 11-05-2003, 03:46 PM

I too prefer AI.
As you said it is safer, and in some cases a lot cheaper. When you add up the shipping costs to and from the stallion, as well as boarding fees, keeping the mare home and breeding AI can save you money.
Also mares seem to get in foal easier when left in their familiar surroundings.
When breeding AI shipped semen you have available to a greater number of stallions even those in other countries as well.

If your breeding a breed that only allows live cover AI is not an option. frown

Catapultcomformation · 11-05-2003, 04:46 PM

no coment not experianced in this feild. but well ... nope no coment

QHGirl · 11-05-2003, 04:51 PM

AI is really nice for many situations.. if you can I would do AI. I did have a horse I wanted Live coverage, because she just needed that experience. It is safer even if you have a gentlman stud, sometimes the anatomy could be a little "off" in size and need special breeding rolls to make sure the mare doesn't get hurt, and that is sometimes just not worth the work. PLUS you can get many breedings off of ONE AI collection which is why more breeding facilities are going toward this.

Dawn · 11-05-2003, 04:52 PM

I do agree that AI is more practical, but I would still prefer not to.

bay_blnd jmpr07 · 11-05-2003, 04:59 PM

this woman i work w/ sent her mare to be bred at this suposedly wonderful rolling green hill farm to breed w/ a stud. and she was supose to be turned out alone and fed her normal grain, but they thought she was fat so they cut down her feed, put her oput w/ 30+ other horses and foals, and the woman got her back 200+lbs underweight and scraped up bad, but she didnt have a contract so she cant sue. so if u do it in hand and send ur mare away make sure u see the place first and if they dont let u(like in this woman's case) dont use them, and make sure u can visit

PawNHoofPrints · 11-05-2003, 05:04 PM

If the tech is experienced and knows what they are doing, AI has a greater rate of conception than natural service does. AI also allows you to improve genetics quickly (or in the case of Impressive, to spread mutations like HyPP rapidly). AI is also much safer for those involved in the breeding process. It also allows quality semen to be shipped clear across the country without having to haul mares from Maine to California just to be breed.

HalterGirl_88 · 11-05-2003, 06:14 PM

We stand 4 stallions and do mostly live breeding. For the stallion it's much more healthy mentally, they're doing what's natural to them. But we do ship semen for AI as well and that is much easier for the mare owners if they live far away. We do not AI any of the mares that come to our farm though, only live cover.

RubySlipper · 11-05-2003, 07:15 PM

I like AI you can breed to any stallion any where in the world. It is a lot safer for the stallion and the mare, and it is often cheaper than shipping your mare to some far off place to be bred. This way you can keep your mare at your own barn and have your own vet take care of the breeding.

11-05-2003, 03:37 PM	#1
horse_crazy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,067	AI vs. Hand Breeding Just wondering what all of you guys prefer out of Al and hand breeding. We prefer AI. It is safer for the mare and stallion(and foal is the mare has one). Thereis less chance for disease transmitting, and I thinkit healthier. We currently are getting a contract(if you call it) to get an AI breeding from Peponita. This year was our decision, we decided NO MORE HAND BREEDING!!!!!!! We bred 3 mares, and I belive only 2 of them took. And it was horrible! I hate sending my mares to some breeders! So we have decided to started AI this coming spring!

11-05-2003, 03:46 PM	#3
Sandra-A1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,293 Images: 220	I too prefer AI. As you said it is safer, and in some cases a lot cheaper. When you add up the shipping costs to and from the stallion, as well as boarding fees, keeping the mare home and breeding AI can save you money. Also mares seem to get in foal easier when left in their familiar surroundings. When breeding AI shipped semen you have available to a greater number of stallions even those in other countries as well. If your breeding a breed that only allows live cover AI is not an option. frown __________________ "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Dumbledore

11-05-2003, 04:51 PM	#5
QHGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 6,914 Images: 249	AI is really nice for many situations.. if you can I would do AI. I did have a horse I wanted Live coverage, because she just needed that experience. It is safer even if you have a gentlman stud, sometimes the anatomy could be a little "off" in size and need special breeding rolls to make sure the mare doesn't get hurt, and that is sometimes just not worth the work. PLUS you can get many breedings off of ONE AI collection which is why more breeding facilities are going toward this. __________________ I must not forget to thank the difficult horses, who made my life miserable, but who were better teachers than the well-behaved school horses who raised no problems. -Alois Podhaisky

11-05-2003, 03:45 PM	#2
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,584 Images: 1283	I don't personally breed, but as a rule, I like hand breeding better. Reasoning behind this The stallion should be well mannered enough to not do any damage. So should the mare. IMO, they should not be bred if they aren't. The stud and mare should have been tested for any diseases beforehand regardless of what method you use. It's just more natural. Of course, there are some disadvantages, but that's my view.

11-05-2003, 04:46 PM	#4
Catapultcomformation Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: USA alabama Posts: 663	no coment not experianced in this feild. but well ... nope no coment

11-05-2003, 04:52 PM	#6
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,584 Images: 1283	I do agree that AI is more practical, but I would still prefer not to.

11-05-2003, 05:04 PM	#8
PawNHoofPrints Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Posts: 759	If the tech is experienced and knows what they are doing, AI has a greater rate of conception than natural service does. AI also allows you to improve genetics quickly (or in the case of Impressive, to spread mutations like HyPP rapidly). AI is also much safer for those involved in the breeding process. It also allows quality semen to be shipped clear across the country without having to haul mares from Maine to California just to be breed.

11-05-2003, 06:14 PM	#9
HalterGirl_88 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,611	We stand 4 stallions and do mostly live breeding. For the stallion it's much more healthy mentally, they're doing what's natural to them. But we do ship semen for AI as well and that is much easier for the mare owners if they live far away. We do not AI any of the mares that come to our farm though, only live cover.

11-05-2003, 07:15 PM	#10
RubySlipper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 566	I like AI you can breed to any stallion any where in the world. It is a lot safer for the stallion and the mare, and it is often cheaper than shipping your mare to some far off place to be bred. This way you can keep your mare at your own barn and have your own vet take care of the breeding.