Equigea

10/06/2025

Good morning from EQUIGEA! Just because it’s the off-season doesn’t mean things slow down here…

We’re still actively aspirating mares, and performing ICSI! These 39 oocytes are from one single aspiration session!

Even in the “quiet” months, every procedure is a chance at a foal, a bloodline preserved, and a future champion in the making. 🐴✨

Another productive day pushing equine reproduction forward!

09/02/2025

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit us at the Labor Day Barrel Blast at WEC this weekend! We loved connecting with riders, owners, and breeders and sharing more about how EQUIGEA is helping bring the next generation of champions to life.

It was a great few days celebrating fast horses and the people who love them: we can’t wait to see you at our next event!

08/28/2025

If you’re balancing a busy training schedule or a full show season, the thought of multiple vet visits or repeated breeding attempts can be overwhelming. That’s where ICSI truly shines: it does not requires lengthy pauses in your training and showing program; it just takes one precisely timed aspiration appointment, after identifying maximal follicular count via ultrasound examinations, to collect everything needed for a breeding cycle.

Imagine this: your mare competes all weekend, then comes by our facility Monday morning for a well-timed follicular aspiration. Within days, her eggs are fertilized and cultured in our lab, while she’s back to light work and preparing for the division later that same week. No long term stay required. No missed training. No added stress. This streamlined “one and done” process saves you time and lets your mare stay on her game without interruption, all while maximizing your chance at obtaining embryos.

Ready to start breeding on your terms? Call us at 352.307.3000 or email AFC@petersonsmith.com to get started.

If you’re balancing a busy training schedule or a full show season, the thought of multiple vet visits or repeated breeding attempts can be overwhelming. That’s where ICSI truly shines: it does not requires lengthy pauses in your training and showing program; it just takes one precisely timed aspiration appointment, after identifying maximal follicular count via ultrasound examinations, to collect everything needed for a breeding cycle.

Imagine this: your mare competes all weekend, then comes by our facility Monday morning for a well-timed follicular aspiration. Within days, her eggs are fertilized and cultured in our lab, while she’s back to light work and preparing for the division later that same week. No long term stay required. No missed training. No added stress. This streamlined “one and done” process saves you time and lets your mare stay on her game without interruption, all while maximizing your chance at obtaining embryos.

Ready to start breeding on your terms? Call us at 352.307.3000 or email AFC@petersonsmith.com to get started.

08/19/2025

Meet our director, board certified Theriogenologist Dr. Melissa Prell!

Say hello to Dr. Melissa Prell: board-certified theriogenologist and the driving force behind Equigea at the Advanced Fertility Center! Dr. Prell holds a DVM from Ross University, a Master’s in equine reproduction from Colorado State, and is board-certified in theriogenology. She’s completed a rotating internship in internal medicine and surgery, a full reproduction residency, and is even certified in veterinary acupuncture. She leads our advanced breeding program with scientific precision, from embryo transfer to semen processing, ensuring every detail is handled with care.

Equigea is passionate about reproductive science and powered by serious credentials. Learn more about working with Dr. Prell and Equigea by calling 352.307.3000 or emailing AFC@petersonsmith.com.

08/01/2025

It’s Foal Friday, and while the traditional foaling season is starting to wind down, the beauty of ICSI is that you’re not tied to the calendar! With ICSI, you can breed on your schedule. Whether you want to avoid foaling during the peak of summer heat, plan for a fall-born foal, or just need more flexibility due to your mare’s competition calendar, ICSI makes it possible. Because the embryo is created in the lab, fertilization and transfer can happen when the timing is right for you, not just when the seasons align.

It’s one more way EQUIGEA helps breeders take control of their programs without compromise. Call us at 352.307.3000 or email AFC@petersonsmith.com for more info, we’d love to help!

07/30/2025

If you’re balancing a busy training schedule or a full show season, the thought of multiple vet visits or repeated breeding attempts can be overwhelming. That’s where ICSI truly shines: it does not requires lengthy pauses in your training and showing program; it just takes one precisely timed aspiration appointment, after identifying maximal follicular count via ultrasound examinations, to collect everything needed for a breeding cycle.

Imagine this: your mare competes all weekend, then comes by our facility Monday morning for a well-timed follicular aspiration. Within days, her eggs are fertilized and cultured in our lab, while she’s back to light work and preparing for the division later that same week. No long term stay required. No missed training. No added stress. This streamlined “one and done” process saves you time and lets your mare stay on her game without interruption, all while maximizing your chance at obtaining embryos.

Ready to start breeding on your terms? Call us at 352.307.3000 or email AFC@petersonsmith.com to get started.

07/23/2025

ICSI isn’t just an option for mares: it can be a gamechanger for stallions, too!

While many people associate intracytoplasmic s***m injection with helping mares who can’t carry a pregnancy or who are still in full training, the truth is that ICSI offers powerful advantages for stallions as well. It allows us to create embryos using just a single s***m cell, which is incredibly valuable when working with limited or low-motility semen. For stallions with only a few straws of frozen semen left, or those who have passed away, ICSI offers a way to continue their legacy without waste. It’s also ideal for stallions in high demand, because a small amount of semen can be used to fertilize multiple oocytes, maximizing every collection

If your stallion is your program’s future, ICSI can help you protect it. To learn more about how EQUIGEA can help extend your stallion’s breeding career, call us at 352.307.3000 or email AFC@petersonsmith.com.

07/18/2025

Even if you’re not planning to breed this year, or not sure if you want to breed your mare at all, you still have options. With ICSI, we can collect oocytes from your mare, fertilize them in the lab, and freeze the resulting embryos for use whenever you're ready. There’s no pressure to implant right away, and no need to interrupt your mare’s career or conditioning schedule. Embryos can be stored indefinitely without compromising quality, giving you total flexibility to breed on your own timeline, or not at all. It’s an ideal solution for preserving genetics from older mares, performance mares in full work, or yet to be proven bloodlines you may want to revisit down the road.

Whether you’re thinking about breeding next season or ten years from now, EQUIGEA makes it possible to plan ahead without rushing the decision. To learn more about freezing embryos for future use, call us at 352.307.3000 or email AFC@petersonsmith.com.

06/27/2025

Looking to take your breeding program to the next level? At Equigea, we’re proud to offer a unique partnership that combines world-class innovation with expert hands-on care, giving you the edge you need to achieve exceptional results. Avantea, a global leader from Europe, has been revolutionizing horse breeding with cutting-edge technologies. Their breakthrough work has been passed down into the hands of the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center team, who have become skilled in these techniques through intensive training and hands-on experience.

Together, this collaboration gives you access to pioneering science alongside trusted, personalized care. Our people are here to guide and support you every step of the way, making complex breeding challenges simple and achievable. Curious how this partnership can change your breeding outcomes? Reach out at 352.307.3000 or AFC@petersonsmith.com.

06/26/2025

Still one of the most exciting advances in equine reproduction! If you missed this the first time, here’s your chance to learn how PGD can help you make smarter, more strategic breeding decisions!

At EQUIGEA, we partner with UC Davis to offer Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), a powerful tool for breeders looking to make precise, informed decisions. PGD allows you to screen embryos for gender, coat color traits, and genetic diseases before they are transferred into the mare, giving you the ability to select only the best options for your program.

The process is quick and efficient. After a biopsy, the samples are sent for DNA testing, with results typically available in 96 hours. This fast turnaround means you can move forward with confidence, knowing you're selecting embryos that meet your exact needs.

Whether you're aiming for a specific foal gender, a desirable coat color, or ensuring genetic health, PGD provides the clarity to optimize your breeding decisions: helping you build a stronger, healthier, and more successful program. Call us today at 352.307.3000 or email AFC@petersonsmith.com to find out how PGD can work for you.

06/13/2025

At our host facility, Peterson Smith’s Advanced Fertility Center, we’ve streamlined the ICSI process to give mare owners exactly what they need: expertise, efficiency, and peace of mind, all in one place. When your mare is undergoing ICSI, every step matters. From follicular monitoring and oocyte collection to post-procedure care and long-term management, our team handles it all right here, under one roof. No risky embryo shipping. No bouncing between clinics. Just seamless care from start to finish.

We’re set up to support both the science and the horse , so you don’t have to choose between cutting-edge technology and compassionate, comprehensive mare management. Ready to plan your mare’s next cycle? Contact us at 352.307.3000 or AFC@petersonsmith.com. We’re here to help: today, next season, and every generation after.

06/10/2025

Say hello to Dr. Melissa Prell: board-certified theriogenologist and the driving force behind Equigea at the Advanced Fertility Center! Dr. Prell holds a DVM from Ross University, a Master’s in equine reproduction from Colorado State, and is board-certified in theriogenology. She’s completed a rotating internship in internal medicine and surgery, a full reproduction residency, and is even certified in veterinary acupuncture. She leads our advanced breeding program with scientific precision, from embryo transfer to semen processing, ensuring every detail is handled with care.

Equigea is passionate about reproductive science and powered by serious credentials. Learn more about working with Dr. Prell and Equigea by calling 352.307.3000 or emailing AFC@petersonsmith.com.