All of the Breeding Management Services offered by Keur-Wood Stables are in strict accordance with the Ontario Veterinarians Act. Christina Kirwan has more than 15 years of equine management experience. She obtained an honours degree in Biomedical Sciences and has since obtained certifications in Equine Breeding Management (Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination) and Equine Semen Management (Handling and Shipped Cooled Equine Spermatozoa). Christina can provide the following on-site (at your farm) practical (hands on) training sessions:

1. Semen Training Services

a) Semen Collection, Analysis and Extending

b) Semen Analysis

c) Choosing and Using Extenders for Fresh Semen

d) Semen Shipping

e) Semen Handling - Fresh and Frozen (thawing)

On-Site Training Cost = $250 CDN + 5% GST

2. Reproduction Training Services

a) Heat and Optimal Breeding Detection (using the AcuBreed^® system)

b) Palpation for Follicles, Ovulation and Pregnancy

c) Insemination (Fresh and Frozen-thawed semen)

d) Parturition (Foaling)

e) Nutrition

On-Site Training Cost = $250 CDN + 5% GST

The above costs do not include travel at $0.50 per kilometer (round trip).  The duration of the training sessions will vary depending on the skill/comfort level of the participant(s) and the number of animals to be used during the training.  The above costs include a maximum of one (1) full day of training per course (1 day for Semen Training Services, 1 day for Reproduction Training Services).  Additional costs may apply for extended training time requirements beyond the one (1) day allotment per course. 

Participants must have the appropriate equipment and supplies readily available at the time of the training.  Required equipment will include:

1.  Semen Training Equipment and Supplies 

Collection:

a) Artificial Vagina (we recommend the Missouri AV)

b) Non-spermicidal lubrication (we recommend Priority Care)

c) Thermometer

d) Individually-wrapped sterile sleeves

e) Rolled utility cotton

f) Bucket with clean, warm water

g) Dish detergent (any will do) 

h) Whirl-pac collection bags

i)  Equine semen filter (specific to the AV)

Analysis:

j) Hemocytometer/Cell counter/Unopette Kit or Densimeter (pricey!)

k) Light microscope

l) Incubator and/or Water bath (preferred for thawing frozen semen and warming 

extender/keeping fresh semen warm during preparation)

m) Glass slides

n) Glass cover slips

o) Graduated cylinders

p) Hancock stain (for spermatozoa morphology analysis)

q) 1ml Disposable plastic transfer pipettes

r) 1-2 Glass beakers (250ml)

Shipping:

s) 50ml sterile syringe

t) Semen extenders (Many types: E-Z Mixin, Dr. Kenny, INRA 96, etc.)

u) Equitainer/Equine Express II box

Other: 

v) Distilled water 

w) Kimwipes (helps clean slides/cover slips)

x) Isopropyl alcohol (for clean up)

y) Examination gloves (latex-free for general lab work/semen handling)

2. Reproduction Training Equipment and Supplies

a) Sterile Disposable Artificial Insemination Kits (includes rubber gauge, sterile 

glove, insemination tube and syringe - 50ml)

b) Non-spermicidal lubrication (we recommend Priority Care)

c) Rolled utility cotton

d) Bucket with clean, warm water

e) Dish detergent (any will do)

f) Tail bandage (Vetrap works well)

g) Twitch/tranquilizer

h) Cryogloves (if using frozen semen)

i) Safety Goggles (if using frozen semen)

Short List of Vendors:

a) Animal Reproduction Systems - www.arssales.com

b) Exodus Breeders Supply - www.exodusbreeders.com  

c) Fisher Scientific - www.fishersci.ca 

MARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT KEUR-WOOD STABLES
   

a) Insemination = $15.00 + GST per insemination 

b) Estrus test = $20.00 + GST per test (owner will make official heat diagnosis)

c)  Boarding:

i) Dry = $350/month or $11.50/day + GST

ii) Wet (with foal) = $410/month or $13.50/day + GST

Board includes: Twice daily feeding (grain + hay, owner must provide additional supplements if required) and daily turnout. Exercise program can be arranged.    

Some Breed Registries require a veterinarian to be present at the time of insemination of the mare in order to allow registration of the resulting foal. If these are a requirement, let us know. We will arrange scheduling, and the Veterinarian's fees will be charged as flow- through (we do not add any mark up fees to the procedures). Please call us to discuss these special requirements further.
       

IMPORTANT NOTE: All of the Breeding Management Services offered by Keur-Wood Stables are in accordance with the Ontario Veterinarians Act.  The Act does indicate that the interpretation of “practice of veterinary medicine” does include obstetrics. However, Sections 11(2)(b) and (e) provide an exception for an owner to treat their own animals, as well as an exception with respect to artificial insemination.  Keur-Wood Stables can only provide insemination services and cannot provide any diagnostic services (for estrus/ovulation determination).  The tools employed by Keur-Wood Stables serve only to assist the owner in making a diagnostic decision.  Keur-Wood Stables will provide no opinion whatsoever as to the breeding readiness of the mare.  Keur-Wood Stables will only provide insemination services after the owner of the horse has determined that the horse is in season and has explicitly provided authorization to Keur-Wood Stables to perform the insemination.

The services offered by Keur-Wood Stables are not equivalent or superior to those services offered by licenced veterinarians.  Keur-Wood Stables makes no promises or guarantees to the success of the aforementioned services and holds no responsibilities to the mare's ability to conceive and carry a foal, complications arising from insemination (including infections for mares that do not clear residual fluids and debris appropriately), or the stallion’s semen quality and fertility.  All of the services provided by Keur-Wood Stables will be at the full authorization of the owner and will be at the owner's own risk.

Please Contact Us if you are interested in any of our services.