Sow breeding saddle

A breeding saddle for use in artificially inseminating a sow, said saddle comprising:

• a blanket covering a portion of the sow's back and extending down her sides;
• a first strap having first and second ends, said first end fixedly attached to the blanket and said second end detachably attached to the blanket, said first strap encircling the sow's belly and being adjustable in length such that it can be cinched tight about the sow's belly;
• a vibrator mounted on the blanket such that the vibrator can be positioned on the sow's back;
• and,
• a second strap attached to the blanket for supporting a vessel containing semen and for stabilizing a catheter that is flowably connected with the vessel and that has been inserted in the sow's cervix,
• whereby vibrations from the vibrator are transmitted through the first strap to the sow's underline and through the second strap to the sow's cervix, thereby favorably affecting litter size and farrowing rate.

A breeding saddle for use in artificially inseminating a sow, said saddle comprising:

• a blanket covering a portion of the sow's back and extending down her sides,
• a first strap having first and second ends, said first end fixedly attached to the blanket and said second end detachably attached to the blanket, said first strap encircling the sow's belly and being adjustable in length such that it can be cinched tight about the sow's belly;
• a motor connected to a battery, said motor and battery mounted on the blanket such that the motor and battery can be positioned on the sow's back, said motor having an output shaft with an eccentric weight and attached to a plate under the blanket;
• a second strap having a first end for supporting a vessel containing semen, said first end detachably attached with a fastener to the blanket and a second end attached to a plate, said plate having a notch in which a catheter can be wedged and a clamp for pinching the catheter between the clamp and the plate, said catheter having a tip for insertion into a sow's cervix and a free end flowably connected with the vessel, said notch and clamp stabilizing the catheter in the cervix;
• whereby vibrations from the vibrator are transmitted by the plate through the first strap to the sow's underline and through the second strap to the sow's cervix, thereby favorably affecting litter size and farrowing rate.