Fertility and reproduction

Welcome to BVEC stud and reproduction services. Bourton Vale have been servicing stud clients across the Cotswolds and surrounding areas for decades. Our experienced stud team works closely alongside our in-house surgeons and medics with full use of our extensively equipped hospital, providing the highest standard of care 24/7, 365 days a year. Please read through our stud section for further information on the services we provide.

To ensure that your mare is in the best possible condition for breeding, there are a number of steps which our stud veterinarians take:

  • For natural cover, mares are required to have an annual clitoral and in season endometrial swab for CEM (Contagious Equine Metritis) and an annual blood sample taken to test for EIA (Equine Infectious Anaemia) and EVA (Equine Viral Arteritis).
  • These are best taken as early as possible in the new year, to avoid any delays when your mare is ready to go to stud. The results can be processed within one to two days if required urgently.  
  • Once you have decided on a stallion, one of our stud vets can scan your mare and estimate the optimal cover date. If your mare is ‘walking out’ to stud (for a natural cover), an endometrial swab is required to ensure that the uterus is clean from disease. This is taken when the mare is in heat and can be incubated in our in-house laboratory.

All of our Stud Veterinarians are equipped with medicines and techniques to best optimise conception, pregnancy diagnosis and, ultimately, maximise the chances of success in breeding your mare.

Whatever your concerns, give us a call or read more on our Equine Fact Sheets linked below. We are happy to answer any fertility or reproductive questions you may have.