Breeding

Fee Schedule 2008

 

Do you have foals available?

King Rocky’s first crop of US bred foals hit the ground in the spring of 2007 and display their sire's amazing intelligence and personality.  Please contact us for additional information on the availability of these foals.

 

Our outstanding 18h multi-champion ASHA Shire mare, Gaydon’s Tejas Catherine, presented us with a very special Lion King filly on April 11, 2007.  Lion King's Malaga Princess will not be offered for sale.  We will be breeding her to King Rocky in 2010.

 

Do you cross-breed to non-Drum horses?

We will breed to approved non-Drum mares on a case-by-case basis.  King Rocky is an exceptional representative of his breed, therefore, Northeast Gypsy Legends reserves the right to approve mares regardless of breed prior to signing a breeding contract.  Confirmation photos and mare registration papers must be provided before any breeding contract will be considered. 

 

Is King Rocky homozygous?

 

King Rocky is not homozygous.  Unless bred to a homozygous mare there is a chance that any foal born will be a solid color.  Northeast Gypsy Legends cannot guarantee a colored foal.

 

Do you do live cover?

 

No, we do not do any live cover.  Only shipped, chilled semen.  King Rocky’s motility is extremely high and his semen ships well.  His conception rate in 2006 and 2007 was 100%.  Only one mare failed to conceive on the first shipment.  Mare owners who breed to King Rocky are extremely pleased with the quality of his semen.

 

Do you offer any discounts for breeding?

Yes.  We have several discount programs available to mare owners.  They are included in the Breeding Information packet sent out to all prospective mare owners.  It is also posted on our website.

 

What if my mare starts ovulating on Saturday and I can’t order a shipment until Monday?

 

Mares are unpredictable so you need to be organized and plan ahead.  We generally collect and ship semen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  You need to order the day before the collection date.

 

Check your mare on Saturday/Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday to see how her follicle is developing.  If there is any chance she might need to be bred call us and order the semen.  It is better to order the semen and have it than to miss the cycle.  This is especially important if you are checking your mare on Thursday and suspect she may ovulate in a day or two.  Generally, semen will last 48 to 72 hours in an Equitainer.  Friday’s semen should still have good motility and be viable on Sunday.

I’m new to breeding, do you have any tips on how to make sure my mare is covered the first time?

 

First of all, make sure your vet is experienced in breeding and artificial insemination.  Also, make sure your mare is in good condition and a healthy weight.  Overweight or too thin mares will have difficulty in conceiving.

 

Be organized and make sure your vet is aware of our ordering procedure and collection schedule.  If possible, have your mare at a facility that does regular breeding work and can tease and palpate the mare daily as she comes into heat.

 

Breed on a good heat cycle, not a transitional cycle, such as early in the breeding season.

 

Once the mare’s follicle gets large and begins to soften, inseminate every other day until she ovulates.
Your vet may recommend a post ovulation uterine infusion with antibiotics to prevent any infection. 

 

Some mares who have questionable vulvar confirmation or a history of contracting uterine infections may need a caslick.  With AI breeding the caslick will not have to be removed if she doesn’t conceive on the first heat cycle and needs to be bred again.

 

There are may excellent books about breeding and mare care.  “Blessed are the Broodmares” by M. Phyllis Lose, VMD is a classic and widely available.  An excellent website is www.equine-reproduction.com.  They also offer classes in breeding management at locations across the country that are extremely worthwhile for the novice breeder.

 

What costs will I be required to pay if my mare doesn’t conceive on the first shipment?

 

Mare owners are responsible for the cost of collection and shipping for each shipment of semen.  Our current prices are included in the fee schedule.

 

Your stud fee entitles you to order semen for as many “heat cycles” as it takes to impregnate your mare during the breeding season.  If the timing has been good for the inseminations and your mare hasn’t conceived after two (2) cycles, we may require that you re-culture or do a uterine biopsy to determine if she has a physical problem.

 

If my mare doesn’t conceive or becomes unbreedable, can I switch to another mare?

You may switch to another mare, but please send us a letter letting us know what you plan to do.  The new mare will need to be approved in the same manner as the original mare.  You will also need to send a copy of the new mare’s registration papers and confirmation photos.

 

What if I have an emergency question and your office is closed?

 

You can call the office at Sable Oak Equestrian Center (207-443-4006) and ask for Sherrye Trafton.  She may be able to answer your question.  If it is outside of normal business hours it is best to call Kathryn Pears directly at home at 207-389-1590.

 

Can we visit the farm if we are in the area?

 

Absolutely!  We love visitors.  But because we are a working farm we ask that you call and make an appointment.  We are frequently at shows and want to be able to show you around personally.