With the rapid increase of shipped semen the need to collect from stallions without the benefit of a mare in standing heat has become a common problem. Traditionally, using a dummy mount was the solution but required training and can be an expensive, space consuming investment. Other problems make mounting difficult for a stallion including: lameness, incoordination, and difficult to breed mares all would benefit. Edited from a presentation given to the 1999 AAEP meeting, this article discusses the techniques used to train a stallion ejaculate into a AV while standing on the ground.

This article is an edited version of the notes to a lecture given to the AAEP in 1999 by Barbara D. Forney, MS VMD and Sue M. McDonnell, PhD.

There are two techniques that have been successful. The first technique uses an artificial vagina (AV) and the second technique uses manual stimulation of the penis. The first technique is easier to learn, but the second has the advantage of requiring only a disposable nonspermicidal plastic bag to collect the sample.

Initially a mare in heat should be used to stimulate the stallion but with practice a mare out of heat will suffice. Continued experience may make the use of other cues possible, perhaps a sound or odor. When using a mare to stimulate arousal of the stallion for ground collection of semen, best results are achieved when the mare is positioned so that the stallion becomes adequately aroused, but not close enough to distract the stallion from thrusting on the ground or so close that the stallion tries to mount the mare. For ground collection the stallion needs to lower his head to balance himself during thrusting.

For the first few attempts or collections, the stallion may tend to step forward or lift his front feet during thrusting. We have best results simply arranging the breeding area to accommodate the movement, rather than trying to restrain the stallion in place. The handler can also stabilize the stallion somewhat by applying gentle pressure with a hand on the near side shoulder of the stallion. Once experienced, even severely disabled stallions seem to ‘‘plant'' themselves, find their balance, and efficiently ejaculate with similar number and strength of thrusts as would occur if mounted. Most do best with minimal head restraint and without a bit or chain through the mouth.