Our Services
Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography is a relatively low risk, non-invasive procedure used to examine the reproductive tract of the mare and
- determine the stage of the reproductive cycle of the mare and decide on her optimal time of insemination.
- diagnose ovarian abnormalities and relatively common uterine pathologies (fluid, air, cysts).
- diagnose pregnancy, development of the embryo/fetus, twins and fetal sexing.
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Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination (AI) involves the process of inseminating a mare with fresh, chilled or frozen semen.
- fresh: collected and inseminated immediately into the mare.
- chilled: semen is collected elsewhere in Aus/NZ, cooled down and transported. We have access to a courier for direct transport from Melbourne airport minimizing delays and loss of semen in transit.
- frozen: semen collected, frozen and stored in straws in liquid nitrogen which allows the use of stallions from overseas, currently competing or injured. We recommend shipment of the semen prior to the arrival of your mare at our facility.
The use of frozen semen requires more intensive management (scans every 6 hours and more often when approaching ovulation) of the mare to ensure insemination close to ovulation. All frozen semen inseminations are performed using the deep horn insemination technique.
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Embryo transfer
Embryo transfer (ET) involves the transfer of a young embryo from a donor mare into a recipient mare, allowing the recipient mare the carry the foal to term and raise the foal until weaning. This enables a donor mare to continue her performance career, produce foals from mares unable to carry a foal to term (due to subfertility or age) and offers the possibility of obtaining multiple pregnancies from a mare in one breeding season.
DGER carries their own herd of recipient mares that are closely monitored and scanned by the same veterinarian as your donor mare to maximize her suitability to receive an embryo.
In-house laboratory
At our facility, we offer on-site processing of uterine samples for cytology, culture and sensitivity. This minimizes the delay of uterine infections and helps facilitate prompt treatment options. Additionally, we provide in-house testing for colostrum quality, progesterone (pregnancy hormone) and IgG.
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Foaling down
At DGER all mares are fitted with a state-of-the-art foaling alarm allowing for a prompt response. Mares are foaled down under experienced veterinary supervision, and the mare and newborn foal are closely monitored following birth allowing for early intervention where needed.
High Risk Pregnancy Management (HRPM)
HRPM focuses on the early detection and effective treatment of placental inflammation (placentitis), a leading cause of abortion in mares. Early detection is crucial to initiate prompt appropriate treatment and will increase the chances of a healthy foal.