Willesley Equine Clinic Ltd.

Stud Services

The Willesley Reproductive team is run by Chris Shepherd MRCVS, with Pete Ravenhill MRCVS, Carolyne Crowe MRCVS, and Katherine Hemson MRCVS. The team offers routine and emergency gynaecological services to a large number of thoroughbred, warmblood, arab and pony studs in the Southwest. All are happy to discuss cases and offer advice.

The following services are available:

Mare Infertility Investigations

Abnormalities of the ovarian cycle can be investigated by ultrasonography, video hysteroscopy and uterine biopsy. The information gained will allow a breeding programme to be devised and any necessary treatment to be carried out before the next breeding season. Ovarian abnormalities that require surgery can, in many cases, be treated using laparoscopy. Our surgeons have removed large granulosa cell tumours laparoscopically on numerous occasions.

Stallion Infertility Investigations

Semen collection and analysis is regularly performed at Willesley. Physical and ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract, along with the results of semen analysis, can be used to assess and manage stallions with poor fertility rates.

Artificial Insemination

Willesley Equine Clinic has been intensively involved in the development of artificial insemination in the UK over the last 16 years, and during the 2006 season Willesley vets will have inseminated over 75 mares with frozen semen. Mares may be referred by colleagues who do not have the time or facilities to devote to frozen semen insemination. Advice on mare management for artificial insemination is always available.

Semen Freezing

Willesley has recently invested in a state of the art automated 0.5ml straw filler, straw labeling machine and a computer controlled freezing system. Semen for freezing is collected and processed at the neighbouring West Kington Stud under the supervision of Chris Shepherd MRCVS and stud manager, Tessa Clarke, MBA, NPSD. Stallions can be admitted for assessment of freezing suitability. The centre is able to collect and store semen for UK or worldwide distribution under DEFRA approved quarantine conditions. Over the last few years semen from over 600 stallions has been successfully collected, frozen and marketed worldwide.

Competition Stallion Management

Many owners of competition stallions do not have the time or facilities to manage stud duties for their stallions. The Clinic can manage the stallion by using artificial insemination to maximise his commercial potential. The Clinic is also willing to handle the advertising of the stallion and to receive enquiries from mare owners. Stallions are brought into the Clinic as and when necessary for semen collection which can be inseminated fresh on site, or chilled and distributed throughout the UK. Artificial insemination allows minimal disruption to a stallion's training and competition schedule. Semen can also be collected for freezing and storage for use when fresh or chilled semen may not be available.