ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR GOOD BREEDING RESULTS

On the road from Flyinge 
The goal is conception.

Conception = a healthy mare + perfect semen + a competent veterinarian +
                        accurate timing.

All these factors must be present at the same time, in order to achieve the goal,
the nominated mare in foal.

1.    THE MARE

The mare must be in oestrus, the uterus free of infection, the cervix relaxed
and a ripe follicle. If one of these factors is missing, there will be no conception.

1.1  The uterus stage, referred to as Corpus Luteum, where the follicle
        once was, can be seen with the ultrasound.
        This is the hormone trigger.
1.2  The cervix must be relaxed.
1.3  The follicle should be sized greater than 38 mm
        ( 35 mm before ovulation hormone injection ).
1.4  And, the mare's uterus must be healthy and in good condition,
        without infections and the mare in oestrus for at least
        three (3) days.

2.    THE SEMEN

2.1  Must be of perfect quality with sufficient numbers of spermatozoa
       of progressive motility.

3.    THE VETERINARIAN

The veterinarian must be a an approved, equine, reproductive veterinarian
with special knowledge in the handling of frozen semen.

3.1  Semen must be handled meticulously. The straws have to be thawed out
       according to criteria dictated by the freezing agents, i.e. exact time
       and temperatures.
3.2  Semen temperature must not change in storage.
3.3  Semen must not be exposed to agitation or movements with gravity at all
       and stored upright.
3.4  Semen must not be exposed to sunlight nor the mare during insemination.
3.5  You must be extraordinarily careful.
3.6  You must not use syringes with rubber stoppers.
3.7  Semen must not be exposed to spermicidal lubricant.
3.8  The mare must be cleaned from urine, as this is part of her showing signs
       of oestrus. Urine has an adverse affect and the mare must be thoroughly
       cleaned prior to inseminating.
3.9  You must be aware of a negative uterine culture and a uterine biopsy prior
       to insemination. The mare must be ultra sounded free of infection when in
       oestrus.


4.    THE TIMING

4.1  The semen must be available for insemination a few days prior to
        the mare being ready. Further, the handling of the semen as referred
        to under # 3 must be followed strictly. All these factors are of
        utmost importance and to be achieved at the same time. Adhering to
        these rules will give you a very good chance to get the mare in foal.

4.2  The timing also refers to the breeding season. Some mares have problems
        early in the season as well as late in the season, where the three factors
        under # 1 do not usually occur at the same time.




CONDITIONS



1.    CHARGES

FLYINGE STALLIONS

1.1  A booking fee of $1000 is payable after signing of
       contract and before delivery of semen. The booking fee is not
       refundable. The booking fee will be deducted from the semen fee.
1.2  Transport container rental $150 to be paid before delivery.
       Covers up to three deliveries of semen.
1.3  Transport charges at cost to be paid before delivery. At present
       $132-$198 to the closest city.
1.4  Container deposit $150 to be reimbursed after confirmed
       pregnancy or after the third mare cycle and returned container.
1.5  Handling cost of $100 per each delivery of semen.
1.6  Packaging & nitrogen charged at $100
1.7  Semen fee to be paid against invoice upon veterinary notice
       of pregnant mare. In case of a barred mare after three cycles no
       fee is due. The semen fee covers up to three inseminations to get
       the mare in foal. The booking fee is deducted. The Sire certificate
       will be issued when the foal is born and all fees are paid.
1.8  Veterinary charges are to be paid by the mare owner.
1.9  Should the mare owner ask for a DNA sire confirmation, this can be
       delivered for the stallions at cost.
1.10  A semen fee discount of 5% will be given if you order semen
       for three (3) or more mares at the same time.
1.11 GST is included.
1.12 Should there be particular conditions for a stallion, this will be
         mentioned under the stallion presentation.
1.13 The delivery of up to three insemination doses is valid per one
         breeding season and can't be transferred to the next season.

PRIVATELY OWNED STALLIONS

1.14 No booking fee. The semen fee is payable up front per
         insemination dose.
1.15 Transport container rental $100 to be paid before delivery. Covers
         the delivery of one full insemination dose.
1.16 Transport charges at cost to be paid before delivery. At present
         $195.66 return within Victoria and $235.71 return interstate.
1.17 Container deposit $150 to be reimbursed after returned container.
1.18 Handling cost of $100 per each delivery of semen.
1.19 Veterinary charges are to be paid by the mare owner.
1.20 Should the mare owner ask for a DNA sire confirmation, this can
         be delivered for the stallions, at cost.
1.21 A semen fee discount of 5% will be given if you order semen for
         three (3) or more mares at the same time.
1.22 GST is included.
1.23 Should there be particular conditions for a stallion, this will be
         mentioned under the stallion presentation.


2.    MARES

2.1 A veterinary certificate is required confirming the mare to be
      in good health and suitable for frozen semen.
2.2 Your veterinarian must be an approved reproduction equine
      veterinarian capable of handling frozen semen.
2.3 Your mare must, before insemination, show a negative uterine
      culture or no uterine fluid visible ultrasonically.
2.4 These first three conditions are important. There is no point to use
      world class stallion semen for bad mares or mares not prepared
      correctly.
2.5 A first follicle ultrasound shall be performed within 16 days after
      insemination and we do recommend a second ultrasound 30 days
      after insemination as well due to the risk of twins. A confirmed
      pregnancy triggers the semen invoice for the Flyinge stallions. In
      case the mare is not pregnant on the 16th day your veterinarian
      certificate of no pregnancy (by fax or email) orders a new delivery
      of semen, which will be sent by overnight courier service after
      payment of the transport charge and the handling.
2.6 Should the mare be barren after three cycles, there are problems to
      be solved and no more semen will be delivered (Flyinge stallions).
2.7 The mare should be aged between 4 - 16 years. If the 
      mare is regularly breeding you can often continue up to 25 years
      of age. 


3.    ORDERS AND CONTRACTS

3.1  Orders can be sent to us by email: breeding@4aces.com.au or
       swelaser@pipeline.com.au or by fax on (03) 5989 0477 or
       by post to 4ACES, PO Box 182 Flinders VIC 3929
. You have to give your full
       postal address so we can send the contract to you by post and details
       about the mare and requested sire and approximately
       when you plan to start inseminations.
3.2  The earlier in the season you can order, the better. We may have to
       order additional semen from Europe and we want to ensure the
       best possible delivery time.
3.3  Upon a signed contract sent to us by mail the procedures
       will commence.


4.    STORAGE OF SEMEN

       The semen is stored at Golbourn Valley Equine Hospital. All
       shipments will  be delivered from Golbourn Valley to your chosen
       approved equine reproduction veterinarian and this is also the
       return address for the semen transport container. Return of the
       container shall take place within 48 hours after receipt of the same.
       The transport charge includes a return docket.
       
       The thawing instructions are attached to the container.