FAQ: CEM testing protocol for your stallion?

Stallions receive an initial culture of all known areas where the CEM organism is known to be found within 1 to 3 days of his arrival. Once a negative result is confirmed from from these cultures, the stallion will perform live covers of 2 known CEM-negative mares. We use calm mares, known to have been live covered before, they are sedated as needed, and twitched or hobbled as appropriate. Dr. Ley has 38 years of horse breeding experience. The safety of your stallion during this test procedure is his highest priority. The stallion then receives a five day treatment series which includes washing the genital areas and then application of an appropriate antibiotic ointment. The remainder of the tests are performed on the 2 mares that were test bred to the stallion, they undergo the same protocol as per any imported mare being tested for CEM. Your stallion, and his 2 test mares are subject to the same CEM Quarantine protocols, thus 3 horses during the test period are in Quarantine. Your stallion will be released from Quarantine only after his cultures are confirmed negative, his 5 days of treatment are completed, all 3 cultures from both of his test mares are confirmed negative for the CEM bacteria, their CF serological tests are negative for CEM exposure, and the official USDA veterinarian issues a release statement.