While some make excellent donors, some take additional work. There is a small portion of mares from which it is impossible to recover an embryo. Embryo Recovery Standard breeding practices can be used with the exception that the mare should have an ultrasound exam at least daily during breeding to provide optimum monitoring and determination of the day of ovulation. Embryo recovery and transfer success rates are considerably higher when a competent professional is actively involved in breeding and monitoring the mare. Mares with reproductive problems might need additional treatment before, during, or after breeding.
Several days following ovulation, the uterus is flushed.
A filter is used to recover the embryo. The donor mare usually receives prostaglandin following the flushing procedure to return the mare to heat and prepare her for additional breeding. The typical mare can be flushed for embryo recovery every 17-18 days. Embryo recovery requires attention to detail to recover and maintain an embryo successfully. Therefore, one should choose an equine practitioner with training and experience in the recovery of equine embryos.