stallion services
>>pelion stud - the home of equine reproduction
From our DEFRA approved semen collection & export centre, stud and AI centre in Berkshire, we are able to offer a full range of services for your stallion. Dummy training, ground collection training, semen freezing (for UK and export), storage and distribution, standing stallions at stud, semen distribution for residents and walk in stallions, and fertility investigations. We are also being used increasingly by veterinarians from all over the country as a referral centre for clients with breeding stallions.
To view the stallions currently available through Equine Reproduction and Pelion Stud - click here!
>> semen collection training
Stallions can be trained to collect using a dummy or "phantom" mare, or to collect from the ground while standing on all four feet.
Training the stallion to collect using a dummy is far safer than collection from jump mare, as it removes one animal (and potential kicks etc.) from the breeding set-up. We ensure that stallions are trained in a way which means that they associate the dummy with the breeding process, not the mare. This means that the stallion can be collected from throughout the year without the need for an in-season mare (although one will most likely be required for the training process). Using a dummy mare also reduces the chance for disease transmission.
Ground collection is a great option for older stallions, stallions that are reluctant to use a dummy, or where a dummy mare or jump mare are not available. Not all stallions are good candidates for ground collection, but the vast majority are, and it's a system that works very well for yards with just one stallion, or where a stallion is in training and breeding facilities do not exist.
>> semen freezing
We offer semen freezing for UK use, and/or for international export.
Frozen semen provides the option of breeding from a stallion at any time without taking him out of training/competition, and without making him more "hormonal" by using him to cover. It's also a great insurance policy - providing you with stored genetic material for breeding even if your stallion is injured or after he has died.
If you wish to use the semen in the United Kingdom ONLY: Stallions can be sent to our stallion unit at Pelion Stud, Berkshire, or we will come to you to collect and freeze semen from your stallion on-site.
If you wish to freeze semen for export purposes: Stallions can be sent to our DEFRA approved semen collection and export centre at Pelion Stud, Berkshire. For booking in forms and other information please see the stallion services page at the Pelion Stud website.
Semen is collected, examined, frozen and assessed for post thaw motility - an indicator of possible fertility. We use a method that allows the harvest of 30% more viable sperm than traditional methods, so you can be assured that you're getting the most viable breeding doses each time we freeze. The straws will then be stored ready for use when you need them. We generally recommend that the first time your stallions semen is frozen, that you have a "test freeze" done, which will ensure we can find out which method of freezing gives the best results for your stallion.
>> frozen semen storage & distribution
we can store frozen semen for you, and distribute it as necessary to you or your customers. Please call or e-mail us for more details. Our prices for storage are:
£18.00 per month for each canister
£180.00 per year paid in advance for each canister
Bespoke pricing available for those storing a small number of straws/doses. Please contact us.
UK Distribution charges: £80 which covers processing, handling and shipper hire, plus carriage (approximately £35-£85 dependant on destination), for up to 100 straws.
>>standing your stallion at stud (semen collection and distribution service)
Take the hassle out of the breeding season, by sending your stallion to our stallion unit at Pelion Stud, Berkshire.
We will look after all aspects of the breeding process, including all collections, health tests and papers (as necessary), exercise etc. You still receive your full stud fee in full, and you have the benefit of being able to have mares inseminated on-site using fresh semen, as well as expert collection, handling, packaging and shipment of chilled or frozen semen to give a complete service to mare owners using your stallion. Please visit Pelion Stud's website for more information.
We also offer this service for walk-in (non resident) stallions, which may work well for you if you are relatively nearby to Reading, Berkshire, and have transport available.
>>chilled semen extender testing
Establishing which extender works best with your stallion's semen can dramatically improve his fertility, and that can make the stud season a great deal easier when you're shipping chilled semen.
It can be the difference between the mare owner acheiving a pregnancy, or receiving a shipment of dead sperm cells! Finding the right extender can be a little tricky, and somewhat frustratingly the right extender one season, might be the wrong extender the following season, and vice versa. We recommend that you undertake an evaluation at the start of every season to ensure that your stallion's fertility is maximised every year. We can collect and assess the semen, or you can collect and pack it according to our instructions.
>>Post-Castration & post-mortem sperm collection and freezing
Sperm harvesting and freezing at the time of gelding, or post mortem.
Save your stallion's ability to breed after castration or after he has died, by collecting sperm from the epididymis. We are the first company in the UK to offer this service. If your colt of stallion is to be gelded, or euthanised, you can keep the ability to breed from him! The process involves removal and careful preparation of the testes by your vet. The testes are then collected by us, or shipped to us using a courier or next day delivery service. Sperm cells at the correct stage of development are then harvested using a specially deveoped method (epididymal sperm collection), and are then artificially matured in vitro. After a short maturation period (during which time the cells become motile and able to fertilise eggs) they are frozen in 0.5ml and 5ml tubes. If the resulting semen is deemed to be of adequate quality, it can then be stored and used as if it were normally ejaculated & frozen semen in an artificial insemination programme. Please note that not all stallion's semen freezes well (and if this is the case, then we offer a reduced fee), but the majority of procedures (65-70%) produce semen that can be used in a breeding programme. Please contact us for more information, as at least 48-72 hours notice is needed in most cases.
customer feedback
- "We were very impressed by Jamie's knowledge. He has a very calm attitude which meant that not only were the boys more relaxed but we were too. His money saving tips and ideas were also very much appreciated. On the whole we felt that Jamie made a potentially stressful situation as relaxed as possible."
- Gill Rosebury, Shropshire
"We cannot recommend Jamie highly enough for the work he did with both us and our stallions. None of us had collected semen before so he was working with a team of novices. Jamie is patient, incredibly knowledgeable about his field of expertise, friendly, and approachable. After less than 3 days he had all 3 stallions collecting easily off of the dummy – 2 of whom had never even covered naturally before. Even the 2 ‘slow starters’ learnt what it was all about – and are now collecting regularly and easily. One look at their dummy and they're ready! Thank you Jamie!"
Sarah Box, Exeter