Leasing a pregnant recipient mare, how does it work?
Leasing a pregnant recipient mare is a convenient option for horse owners who want to breed foals from their mares via embryo transfer, but do not have the necessary facilities or know-how to do so themselves. It allows breeders to benefit from the expertise and facilities of a specialised breeding centre while still retaining ownership of the resulting foal.
What is the process?
- The donor mare produces an embryo: The donor mare is inseminated, and the resulting embryo is collected and transported to the ET center.
- The embryo is then transferred free of charge to the uterus of a suitable recipient mare.
- If the recipient mare is still pregnant 45 days after the insemination of the donor mare (= age of the embryo), the owner of the embryo/foal enters into a lease agreement with the ETC Hans Smet. This agreement describes the terms of the lease, including its duration, any financial considerations, and responsibilities of both parties.
- After payment of the invoice, the owner of the future foal collects the pregnant recipient mare from ETC Hans Smet and provides housing for the mare until the foal is weaned.
- Care of the recipient mare: During the lease period, the responsibility and all costs for the care of the recipient mare are transferred to the owner of the future foal. They provide all necessary veterinary care, nutrition and management to ensure the health and well-being of the mare and developing foal.
- The recipient mare carries the pregnancy to term and gives birth to the foal at the location of his/her chosen service provider. They monitor the birth process and provide assistance if necessary.
- After the foal is born, the recipient mare and foal remain in the owner's care until the foal is weaned. After weaning the foal, the recipient mare is returned to ETC Hans Smet in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement.
Price list Embryo Transfer Season 2025
- Embryo flush/collection € 220
Embryo flushing by appointment at ETC Hans Smet's facilities. - ICSI embryo transfer into customer's recipient mare € 500
- Rental of a pregnant recipient mare with fresh or cooled-transported embryo € 3200*
- Rental of a pregnant recipient mare with ICSI embryo € 3400*
*The rent is paid when the recipient mare is pregnant for 45 days (= age of the embryo). The embryo transfer and stable fees up to 45 days of gestation are included in the price. - Boarding fees after 45 days of gestation: Pregnant recipient mares must leave the embryo transfer center at 50 days of gestation. The daily rate after 50 days of gestation is €12/day. After 50 days of gestation, the customer bears all risks associated with the pregnancy and the health of the mare and foal. The customer is advised to take out insurance to cover these risks. We will provide the necessary certificates free of charge to obtain pregnancy insurance.