Each horse is an individual and each one, like each person, has their own path. Deciding to collect and freeze semen from Jac is a process I have never been a part of before. When Greg (he owns Jac) and I were discussing the possibility there were many reasons to consider freezing;
- something could happen to Jac; unexpected death like Roxy
- the decision could be made to sell Jac; Jac’s older brother was sold and is overseas and showing VERY well
- Jac could end up being gelded; then he could be turned out with more horses
Greg checked around and found the experts at Select Breeders Services Southwest Aubrey, Texas.
When we took Jac over to SBS everyone was great. Debbie McPherson and Sharon Miggans gave me a tour and answered all the questions I had for them. I was shown where Jac would stay, was questioned about his feeding and was also able to choose his exercise while he stayed there. They also showed me where the frozen semen is stored and explained the process from collection all the way to shipping to the mare owner.
One of my questions was ‘how long can the semen stay frozen for and still be used?’ The answer is that if it is stored properly…nearly unlimited time. I probably should have spent more time on their FAQ page as the answers to most of my questions can be fount there.
After my tour Debbie and Sharon introduced me to Patrick Rollins and the three surprised me by offering to go ahead and collect Jac!
I had accepted the idea that I was just going to drop Jac off and wouldn’t be able to see any of the process. To say that I was excited would be an understatement! The technology is amazing. The initial numbers with Jac looked good and since the video was made they have continued to collect and test. Select Breeders has now determined the best extender to freeze Jac’s semen in and they have collected enough to breed approximately 18 mares, someday in the future.
Jac stayed in Aubrey, Texas while we returned to Ohio. It was a bit strange leaving Jac but after completing our tour I was completely comfortable knowing he was in great hands.
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Great suggestion, Rebecca! I’d like that too. How about it Stacy?
I’m sure Jac is having a grand ol’ time, and I’m sure all are excited about the possibility of baby Jacs in the future. =) Are you concerned about having to deal with his new found “manliness” when he returns?
Huh… I didn’t even notice the audio, but then, I am more of a tunnel vision person, LOL.
You left out one of the best reasons to collect him now, he was already kind of “off for a bit” with the mouth thing, so it’s better to get any other things taken care of before you put him back “on” again.
Because I need more videos! How long can we make it, without episode commencement???
But don’t feel any pressure…
… we need more episodes…
But don’t feel any pressure……..
I know! An idea to tide us over!
I have been working on my best “Stacy” body language for my horse…. I managed it pretty good on two seperate days, he was thrilled and immediately engaged more with me.
Normally, I don’t send him the right signals, bad habits of holding myself too passively. I learned from watching you, to look him in the eye and be “honest” in my expressions towards him, which he really appreciates (instead of “hiding” by looking away). My horse WANTS to talk to me really bad, he is SO extroverted and playful, but I fail at talking back too often.
Only some of the early videos clearly show for longer periods the body language you use on the ground. I worked with a great NH trainer locally who talked about body language alot, and demonstrated, but I couldn’t carry it into practice myself like I can after watching you and Jac.
So, could you do a video where you train your husband (or kids, maybe, haha) focused on body language for us bad habit people?
I know the level of confidence, assertiveness, and approval (you do that) I want to present, but my body doesn’t! LOL
Hummm, I think I can do that…let me think of some good topics….
I debated on whether to ask……. and this may be a stupid question…… but why do the guys have helmets on??
Lol, I didn’t ask but I can guess. It could be insurance liability, etc and the fact that some stallions can get pretty rowdy. As you can imagine the stallions are going to be rearing up on their hind legs (I edited that stuff out, lol) and that would greatly increase the risk of hoof to human head contact. Of coarse Jac was well behaved and knows his ground manners but still the risk has to be increased.
Or it could be a fashion statement….:)
ohhhhhhhhh ok….. that makes sense…..I have NEVER seen the breeding process……. I just figured that they had rode their bikes to work and forgot to take their helmets off….. J/K…thanx for letting me know…. lol
I guess that is a good reason to leave him. Hope he doesn’t run into any of those nasty things while he stays there. I know it was hard for ya but for a good reason at least you will be together again but not soon enough. I belong to a freison page and they have frozen their staillions and good thing they did for he passed a few months ago………..things do happen that are not in our human control. Good luck on your adventures and hope Jac has a good rest.
Sound quality was good on my computer.
Can’t see any downside to this. And if one of the foals is black, I know who is going to get it. You better build a bigger barn!!
I love reading your blog, I too am a horse lover. Technology today is amazing if it’s done right. I’m happy for you and I think you made the right decision. Only thing that surprised me was that Jack was not yours. You live a cherished life and inspire others daily. One of God’s angels on earth.
Are you not worried that Jac will become study now? There was a stud at the barn I work at that you would never of guess he was a stallion, until we had to move him to a different part of the barn where he was close to mares and he totally changed after that.
Thanks for sharing, very interesting. Wise decision to collect from such a special boy.
You were hoping to get enough semen for about 50 mares, but you only got enough for 18. What happened?
Now that Jac has lost his virginity is there some behavior issues to fix?
I had NO problem with the sound.
Brave little barn cat, cute.
I wondered about his demeaner too Janette.
I should have made that more clear. They have collected enough for 18 as of now…which means Jac has more ‘work’ to do, lol. He has to stay there longer to get to 50.
I so wish we could have done this with our stallions.
How interesting! We have never had a stallion on our farm. I always took my mare to the stud. Have a great “vacation” Jac!
Sensible decision I reckon
I absolutely loved this. I wanted to know if you (or Greg) will be hand picking the mares or will his semen be sold. If it will be sold, do you know when it will be available?
Thanks
Tonya-It was mostly collected with an idea that in the future there may be a mare that would be a perfect cross. I think the value of the semen and the availability will be mostly affected by what his future holds, which is unknown. If there is a limited supply because something happens to Jac then I would recommend hand picking the mares. If he stands as a stallion to the public in the future then I would say open the breeding to anyone. Some of the top producing mares in the NRHA have no show record. It will be interesting to see what happens!
Great video, Stacy. Thank you for sharing! Jac’s sperm looks great! Having spent 19 years in a human IVF lab myself, I’m very impressed with this facility. I’m glad you had an opportunity to take a tour and see behind the scenes of what goes on with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)!
Stacy..I was mainly talking about the part when yall were discussing it being analyzed…. I think (at 5:41)….the rest of the time I could hear yall even when the music was playing…. BTW….I have listened to all the different songs so many times played during your videos that I can play those songs on my fiddle ..banjo and mandolin….hee hee…..
Yeah, you know, the audio on that clip wasn’t good to begin with. All the equipment running in the background didn’t play friendly in the audio department. Live and learn.
maybe its my “ears” that aint working right………..so dry your eyes now…..and put a cold rag on them for the swelling…lol
Stacy thanks for sharing! I, like you, love to learn and this is truly amazing. Great experience and process for sure! God bless Jac and all he is and is to become!
I have a question I noticed you lead jac out of the trailer I did that with my horse once and scolded for it I was told you cant do that you always have to back out is this true or is there a prober way to get your horse out of the trailer?
It is a very long back out from the front of our six horse trailer. I often turn them around although they should also be taught to back out. I do both.
WOOHOOO!!!!!!!! Yayyy for JAC!!! …..and even tho I love the music in the background…… is there anyway you can turn it down while yall are talking??? ….I cant hear what yall are saying…. :o(
Sorry about that…I can’t change it now:(
I’m going to go cry….
CRY????????????? WHY??????????…don’t do that….. Im sorry!!! ..look…you made me rhyme and it wasn’t even planned……… I was just interested in what was being said…. but I will survive…..lol
(drying my swollen, red eyes)…I want you to be able to hear what was said! Or were you talking about the parts where I removed the audio completely?
I agree with Lesia, the music is a real distraction and annoyance. It would be so much better without any music.. It should be so much in the background you don’t think about it at all but usually people have it so loud you cannot hear what is being said.
I would love to have a foal by Jac one of these days . I have a little mare 6yrs old peppy sans bager/docs little lena… sigh maybe one day … no papers on her though