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Equibreed UK Ltd

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Equibreed UK Ltd

Equibreed specialises in equine embryo transfer, mare artificial insemination, and advanced reproductive services. Berkshire, UK

Combining innovative technology with expert care, we support breeders in achieving exceptional results. Welcome to Equibreed UK, and thank you for visiting us; we specialise in equine embryo transfer (ET) and artificial insemination (AI). Equibreed UK offers a wide variety of equine reproductive services (Embryo transfer [ET] and artificial insemination [AI]) designed to deliver the best fertility outcome for you and your mare. Our dedicated team of embryo transfer (ET) and artificial insemination (AI) professionals are always available to answer any questions on equine reproduction, embryo transfer, artificial insemination or simply to give advice concerning your mare, stallion or horse breeding programme. With huge combined experience in embryo transfer (ET) both in the UK and abroad, our devoted embryo transfer and artificial insemination team always strive to go the extra mile to help. We recognise that the breeding potential of your mare or stallion is of extreme importance to you, and all aspects of our embryo transfer and artificial insemination services are delivered with this in mind. Offering both a stable side and onsite service, we can cater for all aspects of embryo transfer and artificial insemination, and are able to offer the embryo transfer service most suited to your mare or mares. Our stable side embryo transfer service offers a dedicated equine embryo transfer reproductive vet within the Berkshire(Berks), Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire (Bucks), Hampshire (Hamps), Wiltshire (Wilts), Sussex and Greater London areas, and consultancy services in Devon, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Suffolk and well beyond. We hope you find the embryo transfer (ET) and artificial insemination (AI) information on our website useful, and we welcome any feedback. We look forward to hearing from you, and being able to assist in the reproduction of your next equine superstar! The Equibreed UK Embryo Transfer Team.

07/03/2026

⭐️ The Hero in the Shadows: The Recipient Mare ⭐️
Behind every high-goal polo pony and world-class show jumper, there is often a mother whose name never appears on a trophy.
While elite donor mares are busy competing at the highest levels, recipient mares (or “recips”) are the silent engines of genetic progress. These incredible surrogates allow top-tier athletes to produce offspring without ever having to pause their competitive careers.
How it Works:
* The Perfect Match: Recips are selected based on breed, height, and conformation to ensure they can safely carry and raise the foal.
* Precision Timing: Through hormone therapy, her cycle is perfectly synchronised with the donor mare, ensuring her uterus is ready to receive the embryo the moment it’s flushed.
* The “Supporting Actress”: She provides the nutrition, the protection, and the early nurturing.
Next time you see a superstar horse in the spotlight, take a second to think of the recip mare who may have raised them. Her pedigree might not be famous, but she’s the one who gave that champion its life.

01/03/2026

RECORD-BREAKING RESULTS! 🚀🐎
We are absolutely thrilled for our clients after our latest OPU/ICSI session! The numbers are in, and they are nothing short of spectacular.
Check out these stats: ✨ 12 mares in for OPU ✨ 45 embryos created via ICSI ✨ 11 embryos from just ONE single mare! 🏆
A big shoutout to our whole team- grooms on the yard, management running logistics, vets on the ground, in the lab, and to Juan Cuervo-Arango, and Universidad Cardenal Herrera for their ongoing collaboration.

27/02/2026

The Placenta: The “Lethal Weapon” of Foaling 🛡️
Did you know a tiny piece of retained placenta can be life-threatening for a mare?
Check for: ✅ Passed within 3 hours ✅ Intact “F” shape (check those horn tips!) ✅ No foul smell or thick discharge
The Risk: Even if a tiny fragment remains, it can be potentially fatal, causing laminitis and sepsis within hours.
General rule: If you aren’t 100% sure it’s all there, call the vet. Better safe than sorry! 🐎✨

20/02/2026

To kick off the new season, we’ve just received our new uniform for the team 🤩 Thanks so much to the guys over at for supplying us with our fantastic new kit, we love it 😍

18/02/2026

✨ THE COUNTDOWN TO FOALING: 4 Signs Your Mare is Imminently Due ✨
As foaling season gets into full swing, knowing the physical cues of imminent foaling are essential for a safe and successful delivery.
Keep a close eye out for these four classic “textbook” signs:
🍼 Fullness in the Udder (‘Bagging Up’): Usually starting 2-3 weeks before foaling, the udder will significantly enlarge. When the udder remains full throughout the day and the teats begin to point outwards, the big moment is likely just around the corner.
🍯 Wax on the Teats: Often occurring 24-48 hours before foaling, you should see amber-coloured waxy beads of colostrum on the ends of the teats. This is one of the most reliable signs that birth is imminent!
📉 Slackening of the Hindquarters: As the mare’s body prepares to give birth, the pelvic ligaments and muscles around the tail will soften and “drop.” If the area feels soft and squishy to the touch where it was once firm, she’s getting close.
🎀 Elongation of the V***a: In the final hours, the v***a will appear visibly relaxed, lengthened, and slightly swollen.
Expert Tip: Every mare is a slightly different! Some mares follow the rules perfectly, others (especially maidens) may skip certain signs or “bag up” overnight.
At Equibreed UK, our vets and trained staff provide 24/7 monitoring to take the stress out of those long nights - contact us at enquiry@equibreed.co.uk for Foaling Down services.

11/02/2026

We’re all very excited to welcome the stunning stallion Wodan Van ‘T Gestelhof (affectionately known as Woody) to the yard. 🧡🐴

Sired by the legendary Emerald, Woody is here with us for dummy training and semen freezing. ❄️💎

A huge thank you to his owners Claudia and Anicura Natural Pet Solutions for sending over some product samples for our horses to try out🧴🧼

09/02/2026

🦄 Ready to turn your 2026 breeding dreams into reality? 🦄 At Equibreed, we understand that a successful season starts long before the first scan. Now is the perfect time to get planning!
Whether you’re aiming for a future superstar in the jumping ring, on the polo pitch, or for your own leisure, forward planning is key. Here’s your pre-season checklist:
🐴 Find Your Perfect Match
Selecting a stallion is the exciting part, but don’t forget the fine print! Now is the time to:
Research stallions and their progeny
Review stallion owner contract terms and conditions
Ensure the stallion(s) have current health tests
🔬 Advanced Breeding Options
We specialize in making the “impossible” possible. Talk to us about:
AI (Artificial Insemination): Using fresh, chilled, or frozen semen for maximum flexibility.
Embryo Transfer (ET): Perfect for competition mares or those unable to carry. Consider using different stallions for multiple ET cycles to maximize your mare’s genetic potential in a single year!
OPU & ICSI: Our advanced “in-vitro” options for mares where traditional ET might not be suitable, or when using rare/expensive frozen semen.
🩺 Health First
Before your mare arrives or breeding begins, she’ll need a clean bill of health. Standard pre-breeding health tests are:
CEM
EVA & EIA
Strangles & EHV (for all horses arriving at the clinic)
Let’s get started! 📞 Every mare is unique. Contact our office on 01189 712994 or email enquiry@equibreed.co.uk to discuss a tailored breeding plan for your mare this season 🏇

06/02/2026

The Essential Foaling Kit 🐴✨

The countdown is on! ⏳ There is nothing more exciting (and nerve-wracking) than waiting for a new foal to arrive. When the time finally comes, the last thing you want to be doing is hunting for supplies in the dark.

We’re starting to put together some essentials for our “Foaling Kit” —a must-have box kept right by the stable door to ensure you’re prepared for a safe delivery and a healthy start for your foal.

📦 What’s In Our Kit?

Clean Towels 🧼
Essential for drying the foal and clearing the airways if the mare doesn't do it immediately.

Disposable Gloves 🧤
Hygiene is priority #1. Keep a box of latex or nitrile gloves to prevent the spread of bacteria to both the mare and the newborn.

Refractometer 🧪
Colostrum is liquid gold! Use a refractometer to check the quality of the mare's first milk. We’ll talk more about colostrum in a subsequent post 🍼

Umbilical Clamps 🗜️
To stop any bleeding if the cord breaks prematurely.

Iodine Spray 🧴
To "dip" the stump and prevent infection

Phosphate E***a 💧
Sometimes foals need a little help passing the meconium (their first manure). Having an e***a on hand can prevent discomfort and straining.

Digital Thermometer 🌡️
Monitoring the foal’s temperature in the first 24 hours is a key indicator of health.

Soft Ropes 🪢
Clean, soft calving or foaling ropes. Hopefully, you won't need them, but they are vital if the mare needs a little assistance with positioning or traction during delivery.

⭐ Helpful Tips:

Keep it in a clear, lidded tub: Keeps everything dust-free but visible.

Emergency Contacts: Have your emergency Vet’s number and a “foaling buddy” who can help in a hurry on speed dial 📞 and of course, call us with any questions or worries! 🦄

05/02/2026

🔬 Final Call: February OPU Sessions at Equibreed UK 🔬

Our February O**m Pick Up (OPU) sessions are rapidly approaching, with limited spaces remaining.

OPU, combined with Intracytoplasmic S***m Injection (ICSI), is one of the most advanced techniques in equine reproductive science, allowing oocytes (eggs) to be collected directly from the mare’s ovaries and fertilised under highly controlled laboratory conditions.

During OPU, the mare is carefully prepared and sedated before ovarian follicles are individually aspirated using transvaginal ultrasound guidance. Retrieved oocytes are immediately assessed under the microscope, washed, and prepared for transport to specialist European ICSI laboratories. There, a single s***m cell is injected directly into each mature oocyte, enabling fertilisation even where semen availability or quality is limited. Successfully fertilised oocytes are cultured and frozen as embryos for future transfer.

Why consider OPU-ICSI?
• Can be performed at any stage of the mare’s cycle
• No requirement to synchronise donor and recipient mares
• Embryos can be frozen and stored indefinitely
• Minimal disruption to competition or performance schedules
• Ideal for limited, valuable, or sub-fertile frozen semen

At Equibreed, each mare is monitored closely throughout the process, remaining with us overnight post-procedure to ensure welfare and recovery are prioritised at every stage.

For further details please visit: www.equibreed.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Equibreed-UK-OPU-ICSI-Fact-Sheet-2023-10.19.15.pdf

📩 Final February availability – now booking.
If you are considering OPU-ICSI as part of your breeding programme, please contact the Equibreed UK team to discuss suitability and secure a space.

📧 enquiry@equibreed.co.uk
📞 0118 971 2994

04/02/2026

⭐️Stallion Spotlight: Ruler ⭐️
📍 Standing at Stud at Equibreed UK

✨ About Ruler:
• Sire: Ellerston Clarin — elite bloodlines with strong performance lineage.
• Dam: Centimetre — played by Gonzalito Pieres and winner of Best Playing Pony in the Queen’s Cup, daughter of Norman Pentaquad.
• Height: 15.1hh — well balanced and athletic.
• Colour: Chestnut — classic and striking.
• Year: 2014— mature and established.

🚀 Why Ruler?
As a long-standing prospect at Equibreed UK, Rulers combined excellent bloodlines and proven athleticism paired with excellent temperament makes him a popular sire for future playing progeny. He is a full brother to Furlong, who has played the high goal with James Harper and won numerous pony prizes, and to Measure (also playing high goal). Frozen semen available for UK, EU and worldwide - also semen available for ICSI held at various labs in Europe!

📩 For enquiries and bookings:
📞 01189 712994
✉️ enquiry@equibreed.co.uk

02/02/2026

🐴 Important Update for clients with our Recipient Mares!

As we approach the end of February and the weaning season draws to a close, it’s almost time to welcome our recipient mares back to Equibreed. To ensure a smooth and safe transition for all our horses, please note the following return protocols:

✅ Health Checks: All mares must have Strangles and EHV ELISA tests done within 14 days of their scheduled return date.
✅ Results: Please email your negative test results to enquiry@equibreed.co.uk prior to booking in their return.
✅ Booking: Once results are cleared, please book your return slot! You can contact the office directly or message Becca via WhatsApp on 07725747727.

We look forward to seeing the girls back home!

29/01/2026

Not long until this becomes a familiar sight again!

With breeding season on the horizon, preparation, planning, and attention to detail are already underway.

What are your breeding goals this year — and how can we support you in achieving them?
Let us know at:
📧 enquiry@equibreed.co.uk
📞 0118 971 2994

Address

Lower Meadows
Reading
RG75PT

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm
Saturday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.equibreed.co.uk/

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The Equibreed UK Story

Our Vision

We have a passion for breeding top quality horses in all disciplines and strive to become the leader in artificial reproductive technologies in horses in the UK.

Equibreed UK is committed to bringing new technologies to the commercial market whilst still providing proven techniques with a high level service.

We aim to provide our clients with a high level, professional dedicated service- whether they be amateur horse breeders looking to AI their favorite mare, or professional breeders with a quota of embryos.

We always bear in mind truth and honesty, and whether we have challenging issues to communicate or not, we will always be honest and open with our clients. Horse welfare is our key priority, and all horses under our care are given the highest level of attention.

Professionalism when dealing with clients we are professional in our conduct, offering advice and knowledge where needed, and respecting client decisions.

We understand that keeping and breeding horses is not always straightforward and we show understanding towards our clients when things don’t always work out.

We aim to deliver excellence in all areas, from our up-to-date knowledge, to great communication, delivering a high quality service that is not experienced elsewhere and push the boundaries of what is possible in horse breeding

We are truly dedicated to providing a professional high quality service, with excellent knowledge, expertise and customer service.

What do we do at Equibreed UK?

We specialise in all equine reproductive techniques- from embryo transfer (ET), artificial insemination (AI), walk-in semen collections, semen freezing, semen evaluations, foaling down, and are happy to offer consultancy and advice whenever needed Our dedicated team of vets and support staff are always available to answer any questions you might have, and are best positioned to advise you correctly about current reproductive techniques.

With huge combined experience in embryo transfer (ET) both in the UK and abroad, our dedicated team always strive to go the extra mile to help. We recognise that the breeding potential of your mare or stallion is of extreme importance to you, and all aspects of our embryo transfer and artificial insemination services are delivered with this in mind. Offering both a stable side and onsite service, we can cater for all aspects of equine reproductive work.

Our purpose-built facilities include specially designed stallion collection facilities, laboratories for semen and embryo processing, liquid nitrogen storage facilities, large American barn, individual turn-out paddocks, CCTV, foaling down boxes.

Equibreed UK started in 2010 when the need for a practice dedicated to equine reproduction in the Berkshire area became apparent. We have grown considerably since then, and still aim to offer our clients and their horses a high quality, dedicated service.

We collect from, and stand, a variety of different stallions on site- and offer free advertising for any stallions that we collect from.

For more information, copies of our terms and conditions, fact sheets, booking forms or price lists you can contact the office or download them on this link:https://www.slideshare.net/EquibreedUKEquineEmb

Do check out our website (we are in the process of a refresh and we will pop up a post with details shortly), and Facebook and Instagram pages for more information. We look forward to hearing from you, and being able to assist in the production of your next equine superstar! The Equibreed UK Team.