ABSTRACT
More mares can be inseminated from one ejaculate, which means that a stallion can breed more mares per year. (3) Transport of semen across or even between countries is possible. (4) In addition to being able to keep a mare (and young foal) at home, the risks of infections are reduced as are risks from transport. (5) Risk of injury from mating is eliminated. (6) Since semen from a stallion in an AI programme will be evaluated more often, any problems in his fertility will be identified more quickly. Regulations prescribe how to keep stallions used in an AI programme and the control of diseases to guarantee the export of healthy semen. ii Ideally, the mare should be restrained in stocks, her tail bandaged and tied to one side. Her perineal area must be thoroughly cleaned, ensuring that no dirt remains immediately inside the vulval lips. The inseminator puts on a sterile or ‘inside-out’ plastic rectal glove and covers the tip of the insemination pipette. As small amount as possible of non-spermicidal lubricant is placed on the back of the glove and the finger is used to identify the external os of the cervix. The insemination pipette is advanced through the cervix into the uterine body and the spermatozoa slowly deposited. All equipment used for the insemination process (syringes, etc) should be nonspermicidal.
