Wondering if anyone has experience trying to import fresh from the U.S. to Canada?
I’m looking at breeding a jumper mare for an Embryo Transfer and am interested in a few Stallions south of the border. However I am wondering if it is worth risking a border hang up?
If advising against import any recommendations for Canadian Jumper stallions?
Thanks in advance!
It’s a PITA so I don’t bother any more. Lots of nice stallions available in Canada
Yup, what tanderson said.
It can go pretty smoothly, or it can be a nightmare.
Last time I did it, I had all the right paperwork, everything was in order, but my shipment got held up at the border because the (quote) “USDA seal wasn’t entirely visible on the fax” - they were demanding the USDA office re-send the form. This was on a Friday. Thankfully the stallion owner and myself kept calling and calling and finally someone at the USDA office picked up and agreed to re-fax the form. Got my semen by 4:30 pm, mare was bred shortly after.
Had that happened on a Saturday, the USDA office would have been closed. I would’ve been SOL.
Freaked me right out. It’s going to be a looong time before I attempt it again… way too much stress. At least if you’re bringing frozen over the border there isn’t as much of a time crunch. I will stick to in-Canada fresh or frozen for the time being… :eek:
There are some excellent Jumper stallions available by fresh in Canada, depending on what you’re looking for:
https://www.canadianwarmbloods.com/stalliondirectory.php#Approved
http://www.c-s-h-a.org/stallion-listings-a-l/
http://www.c-s-h-a.org/stallion-listing-m-z/
I’ve been intrigued by Messenger VF, he looks like a nice stud. Haven’t heard much about him but he has great bloodlines and he is young, just starting to show.
Klondike Victory Farm has some lovely jumper stallions www.kvf.ca
Jethro Tull and Tacorde are especially interesting depending on what you are looking for. Jethro throws more of the hunter type, with all the scope for the high levels. Tacorde is more of a blood type, great work ethic and incredible scope, and definitely throws the heart and desire to always try to get to the other side of the fence. The chrome both throw is a bonus!! 
We’ve shipped across the border a couple of times this year and the process, while time consuming, is manageable. We stand a number of jumper stallions including Con Capilot (Con Capitol/Pilot), Diabolo d’Esquelmes (Chin Chin/Carthago), Chicardo (Clinton I/Corofino), Velusinus (Fuego du Prelet/Concorde) and Coronado WW (Orlando/Kannan).
I’ve done it usually once a year and it’s no problem if the SO is set up properly and close enough to the USDA vet. It’s expensive though, there will be USDA fees on top of your booking and stud fee. Plus the US dollar. While there are some nice stallions in Canada, you obviously expand your pool of options considerably going south.
