Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
*
What do I get for my service fee?
-Your Mare
will be served by Southern Cross Dark Knight
- One
Pregnancy Scan at 18-20 days after her last date of service.
- 3 wks grazing
* What
is the booking fee?
The
booking fee covers 3wks grazing, 1x pregnancy scan and all handling
expenses. The booking fee is included in the service fee and is non-refundable.
If your mare does not settle in foal you only need to pay the booking fee and
any outstanding grazing, veterinary or farrier fees. You will not be required
to pay the remainder of the Stud fee until your mare is confirmed in foal.
*
What other costs might there be?
- If your
mare stays for longer than three weeks you will be invoiced grazing at $30 per week or part week.
-
While we include one pregnancy scan in the stud fee, we do recommend getting
another scan done after 36 days to confirm a heart beat before you take your
mare home if you live a fair distance from us. This however will be your expense and it is entirely up to you
whether you opt to wait for this before taking your mare home, or if you want
to take her home and then have her scanned yourself at a later date.
The
cost for a scan is $50+ travel which will vary as the vets travel fee
will be divided amongst all mares presented for scanning on that day. If you
opt to take your mare home you will be required to pay the remainder of the
Stud fee before she leaves the stud.
If your mare requires some light sedation in order to be scanned this will also be on top of the $50 scan fee.
- Farrier
Expenses - We have a farrier who trims each horse for $50ea. If you want your
mares feet trimmed while she is with us this will also be invoiced back to you.
*
What if my mare shows twins when she is scanned?
If
there is a twin pregnancy it is easier to take remedial steps at an early stage
of the pregnancy than it is in a later stage. This is why we recommend the
first scan around 18-20 days. We also recommend having the veterinarian pinch
one of the twinning embryos. If you decide against this procedure the Live Foal
Guarantee becomes void. This is because it is extremely rare for a mare to
carry healthy twin foals to full term.
* What if my mare needs to stay longer than 3 weeks, how much is grazing then?
We include three weeks
grazing in the stud fee and any grazing after this is charged at $30 per week or part week. This will need to be paid for before you can take your mare home.
*
What if my mare requires hard feed?
We are happy to feed your mare any hard feed
that you supply to us. If she requires more hard feed to be brought during her
stay this will be invoiced back
to you and will need to be paid immediately. You will be notified if the Hard
feed is running out.
*
Will my mare be in a paddock with other horses?
No,
Your mare will have her own paddock.
*
Can my Mare run with the stallion? I want it as natural as possible.
No,
all mares are paddocked in separate enclosures. We have made a considerable
investment in our stallion and are sure your mare is worth a considerable
amount to you as well. We do not run any mares with our stallion that are not
our own. We do not want the risk of any injuries to either your mare or our
Stallion. It is safer for your mare to be hand served.
*
What does the term "Stud Season" mean?
Our
stud season runs from October 1st thru to January 30th of each year. Mares are only accepted outside of these times in
exceptional circumstances. If your mare does not settle in foal before the end
of our season she will need to come home. She will be eligible to return the
following season to try again and you will need to pay another booking fee.
* Do I
need to do anything to my mare before she arrives at stud?
- We
do recommend a pre-service scan by your veterinarian. This is to ensure your
mare is physically healthy and able to carry a foal. You should be able to tell
if your mare is due to cycle or has just cycled. It is Ideal for both us and
you that your mare arrives just before she is due to cycle. This will ensure
she meets the stallion at the optimum time for conception and that hopefully
she will take on her first service avoiding a stay longer than three weeks.
- We require
the mare to have been wormed at least 1 week before but not longer than 3 weeks
before she arrives at our property.
- You
should have her feet trimmed before she arrives at stud. If she has shoes you
must have the hind shoes removed as we will not serve any mares that still have
hind shoes on. This is to reduce risk of our stallion being injured in the
event if the mare kicks.
-
Your mare should be vaccinated against Equine Herpes EHV-1
*
What happens if my mare is injured?
We
recommend you have your mare insured for the period she is travelling to the
stud, while she is at stud and for her travel home. We take the best care we
can with all mares and our stallion. Your mare will only be served in-hand
which means there will be a handler with your mare and a handler with the
stallion. Your mare will have her own paddock.
However
with horses, accidents can happen. This is why we recommend you have your mare
insured. You will be responsible for any veterinary costs that are over and
above what is included in the initial pregnancy scan. If we believe your mare
requires veterinary attention at any point we will contact you in the first
instance.
* If my mare has a colt foal, why do I have to have it gelded?
We believe only the very best of colt foals should be kept entire for breeding with. If we breed a full shire colt and believe he is of stallion material we will sell him as a prospective future sire. If you believe your colt foal is of a high standard and deserves to be kept entire we welcome you to approach us to have the gelding clause removed. This will only be approved if the foal is of very high quality.
*
Can my foal be registered?
Yes.
Shire mares-
The
foal can be registered with Shire Horse Society (UK) or Shire Horse Society
Australia. Colt Foals will go on the Non-Breeding registry and
must be gelded before they are 2yrs of age.
Clydesdale
mares -
The foal will be eligible for one of the graded registries with Shire Horse
Society (UK) or Shire Horse Society Australia. Colt Foals will go on
the Non-Breeding registry and must be gelded before they are 2yrs of age.
All
other breeds of mare -
You
foal will be eligible for registration on the Shire Sport Horse register in Australia.Colt Foals will go on the Non-Breeding
registry and must be gelded before they are 2yrs of age.
