Storage, Handling, and Distribution of Frozen Equine Semen

With the recent acceptance of frozen semen by the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Paint Horse Association, the overall interest and use of this breeding method has increased significantly in recent years. Proper handling and maintenance of semen frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen is critical to the success of artificial insemination with frozen semen. International distribution of frozen semen allows stallion owners access to foreign markets and provides a method for mare owners to access semen from stallions that are the best genetic matches for their mares. The development of the frozen semen industry depends upon high standards of quality control set by the industry and the adoption of fair and equitable breeding contracts that offer guarantees of fertility similar to those offered for cooled or fresh semen contracts.