Stallion Quarantine Unit

All stallions arriving at the centre have to complete a pre-entry health check before they are allowed on site. This is essential to ensure that the stallion and his semen are disease free for the protection of all horses visiting the unit.

The welfare of the stallion is of paramount importance; if the stallion is unsettled it will reflect in his semen quality. Stallions may be turned out or go on the horse-walker  depending on the owner’s requirements. Choosing the right feed for the stallion makes a big difference to the semen quality and we have the experience to know what feed is best.

The stallion unit consists of twenty spacious boxes, divided into three quarantine sections and can stand twenty stallions at any one time. The stallions are bedded on shavings, paper or straw. Each box has it own individual grooming kit, head collar, and stallion bridles to minimise the risk of cross contamination.

There are four grass turnout paddocks, three of which are fenced to a height of eight feet for any ambitious jumpers! A 54ft diameter horse-walker with rubberised floor and walls is available to maintain fitness of competing stallions  and a lunging/turn out pen is also offered for any stallions that need a bit of extra attention.

Stallions are weighed twice a week to closely monitor any weight gain or loss so that feed and exercise can be altered accordingly.

There are CCTV cameras throughout the centre inclucing one in each stable. Owners can view their own stallion via the internet. 

Laboratory

The semen evaluation and freezing laboratory is equipped with the most up to date equipment for processing and evaluating semen before and after freezing. The semen is packed in six, ˝ ml straws before freezing. Each collection has a post thaw evaluation using a fluorescent microscope that can accurately distinguish between live & dead sperm and any abnormalities in the semen. We can also carry out a 'semen stress' test which corolates well with fertility.

Collection Area

The collection area is in an indoor spacious, tiled-wall room with a rubberised floor to minimise the risk of injury to the stallion or handlers. There is a fully height adjustable dummy mare for the added safety of the stallion. Adjacent is a teaser box for the mare to stimulate the stallion, which can also be used for collecting off if the stallion will not mount the dummy. We have a selection of teaser mares to suit all stallions.