Hi there!
I’m a first time poster but have lurked without an account on CotH for a while. I’d love some opinions on stallion choice on my difficult mare.
Last year, we underwent ICSI for two of our mares with Contendro I semen and had mixed success. One mare had no issues producing embryos for us, while the other never had any fertilized oocytes make it past cleavage.
The mare in question is Bella Rose (Barleone/Monarchos xx/Shadeed xx) rising 8yo 17hh Westfalen, I’ve included below her horsetelex as well as a video of her free schooling when she was around 4. She’s very blood, but big boned/bodied. In terms of temperament she’s very careful, sensitive without being sharp, and has some of the highest drive to please that I’ve seen in a horse. She should have been showing this past winter but illness and a death in the family made the past year a bit difficult for “horsey” things.
We did ICSI through EMS, and their explanation was that there might have been a genetic incompatibility between Bella and Contendro that resulted in a disappointing season. We’d like to try again this year but with renewed caution about genetic compatibility. I’m avoiding any Cor de la Bryere, as well as any stallions that have a complicated or expensive breeding contract for ICSI (Like Paul Schockemohle).
Thank you so much for your time!
Edit: We’ve decided to go with Untouchable and we’ll see how it goes! The embryos will be vitrified for personal use in the future.
