Reproductive Services
Southwest Equine offers comprehensive broodmare services including breeding soundness examinations, insemination (fresh and frozen semen), embryo transfers, uterine cultures and lavages, and pregnancy evaluations. For mares with abnormalities identified before breeding or between cycles a uterine culture or uterine infusions/lavages may be recommended to ensure optimal uterine health and pregnancy rates. * New for the 2025 breeding season, Dr. Ferrante will be performing in-office uterine cultures to provide more rapid results.
Dr. Ferrante loves all aspects of reproduction, particularly flushing embryos and shipping for transport to the recipient farm of your desire. She will also implant fresh or frozen embryos to a suitable onsite recipient mare.
Pregnancy Management
Proper management of the pregnant mare does not stop after insemination and the initial pregnancy diagnosis. It is important to monitor the mare for benchmarks during pregnancy (heartbeat check, 60-day check). We coordinate proper vaccination programs during pregnancy and prior to foaling. Nutritional counseling is also provided to maximize the development of a healthy fetus. We do not foal out healthy mares but can recommend places to board high-risk pregnancies (premature placental separation, hydrops, pre-pubic tendon ruptures, etc)
Managing the Problem Mare
For mares that do not conceive or repeatedly lose their pregnancies, we offer a variety of investigative options including uterine cultures, biopsies, vaginoscopy and endocrine (hormonal) evaluations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Reproductive Services does Southwest Equine provide?
Southwest Equine offers comprehensive reproductive services for both mares and stallions. Our services include Artificial Insemination, Embryo Collection and Transfer, Pregnancy Management, and solutions for managing problem mares.
Is semen freezing currently offered for stallions?
Currently, Southwest Equine is not offering semen freezing services. Please inquire about our other available stallion services.
How does Artificial Insemination work at Southwest Equine?
We provide routine on-farm evaluations of mare breeding cycles. Prior to breeding or during the cycle, a uterine culture may be recommended to ensure optimal uterine health and conception. We perform insemination with both fresh/chilled and frozen semen, coupled with post-insemination uterine treatments to optimize pregnancy rates.
What is Embryo Collection and Transfer, and who performs it?
Dr. Ferrante, with a passion for reproduction, performs embryo collection and transfer services. This involves flushing embryos and shipping them for transport to the recipient farm of your choice. Additionally, Dr. Ferrante can implant fresh or frozen embryos into a suitable onsite recipient mare.
What does Pregnancy Management at Southwest Equine entail?
Pregnancy management goes beyond the initial diagnosis. We monitor the pregnant mare for benchmarks during pregnancy, including heart rate checks and a 60-day check. Proper vaccination programs during pregnancy and before foaling are coordinated, and nutritional counseling is provided to maximize the development of a healthy fetus.
How does Southwest Equine address issues with Problem Mares?
For mares that struggle to conceive or experience repeated pregnancy loss, we offer various investigative options. These may include uterine cultures, biopsies, vaginoscopy, and endocrine (hormonal) evaluations to identify and address any underlying issues affecting reproductive health.