Stallion Exam
Evaluation of Libido and Mating Ability - This is done to determine if there is any evidence of impotence, abnormal behavior or an injury that will interfere with mating. This is of course a critical step in the male exam. A stallion should achieve erection within 2 minutes of exposure to an estrus mare during the breeding season but this may take up to 10 minutes in the non-breeding season.
Examination of Semen - A complete exam of the semen is done including color of the ejaculate, concentration, volume, seminal pH, sperm motility and morphology. Since this is what is essential for fertility a complete semen exam is essential in the male breeding soundness exam. A sexually rested stallion may often have an ejaculate with low motility and many abnormal sperm. It may take 5 - 7 days of daily collection to reach maximum semen quality. Subsequent collection once or twice per week should maintain maximal semen quality.
Conclusion - Stallions are classified as statisfactory, questionable or unsatisfactory breeding prospects from this exam. Statisfactory suggests he can likely achieve a seasonal pregnancy rate of 75%. Passing the male breeding soundness exam should be a part of all contracts for purchase of a breeding stallion. As described previously, this exam is usually done by a Veterinarian and a copy should be given to the person requesting the exam. In stallions on a breeding farm where semen or breeding is to be sold on this stallion, exams should be done on a routine (yearly) basis.
View a breeding soundness exam of a stallion in the video below demonstrating the physical exam, evaluation of libido, and external genitalia exam.
