Last Updated on December 9, 2020 by Allison Price
Most of the time, stallion have an inborn attitude to dominate their handlers. Even other horses and especially mares in heat.
Trained stallions respect their human handlers all the time. It’s easier to work with them than those that are being allowed to be aggressive.
Handling stallions requires special skills including self-confidence and stallion psychology knowledge. And the ability to know ahead of time the stallion’s behavior and make quick decisions.
Stallions should be handled only by people who have experience with horses. And they must be able to recognize inappropriate behavior. And correct these behaviors before the stallion becomes dangerous. Keep in mind that even the gentlest has the natural instinct to go against human training.
It is important to have the right equipment. Also, plan each step or maneuver that needed of the stallion.
Warning: Prepare in the mental and physical aspect. If not, the stallion might become distrustful and more difficult to manage.
Nature of Stallions
There is an inborn propensity for most stallions to try to dominate their handlers. Also, other horses, and especially mares in heat.
Stallions trained at all times to obey their human handlers are easier to deal with. More than those who can exert their inherent aggression. And prefer to be aware of their manners with other horses as well.
Stallion management includes certain special skills. That include self-confidence, an understanding of the psychology of stallions. And the ability to predict and make fast decisions about the actions of stallions.
Stallions are people and can only be treated by people with experience in horses. And can detect improper conduct that must be corrected. Before the stallion becomes unsafe. Always be mindful that the gentlest stallion has innate instincts. That can go against human training when dealing with stallions.
In most situations, because of the dangers involved, children must not handle stallions. Especially in breeding circumstances.
It is crucial for adults working with a stallion to have the right equipment in mind… for and move or maneuver needed by the stallion, along with a plan. The stallion may become distrustful and more challenging to control. If a trainer is not prepared in psychological and physical aspect. And attempts to compensate for a lack of confidence. By being overbearing or over-assertive.
If you are going to deal with a stallion, avoid any overt conflict. Unless you have the physical constraints in place to guarantee your side a win. Nothing is more harmful to the relationship between the handler/stallion… than discovering that the horse is stronger in physical. And has the upper hand. And so, dares to become willful, volatile and dangerous.
Breeding Stallion Management Styles
Breeding stallion management usually breaks down into two basic styles. These are the normal or management of confinement/isolation. Sometimes, depending on the time of year, both models are being used. Natural management requires a stallion to run with a herd of mares in a pasture. Natural management advocates claim. That in a natural herd environment, mares are more likely to become pregnant.
Drawbacks to the management of natural stallions include… the possibility of injury to the stallion. Or mare in the breeding process. And the issues associated with deciding the date of breeding. And thus, the date of foaling of the mare in question.
In natural management, other threats include the fact… that stallions will break down fences to battle another stallion. Or mate with the wrong mare. Bringing into question the pedigree of a foal. Often there is a possibility that the stallion will be stolen or may escape. And roam the surrounding roads when a stallion has the run of a pasture.
It is also in a small pen or corral with a tall fence when stallions are being confined or isolated. And in a stable or small paddock having a strong fence.
Benefits of Confinement:
- Less chance of injury to the stallion and other horses
- A regulated breeding of mares
- Greater certainty of which mares are being bred
When restricted, lack of adequate exercise is a downside to this form of management. As well as the potential for violent actions or stable stereotypes to grow due to pent-up energy. For best health and fertility, confined stallions need careful balanced diet and exercise.
By supplying stallions with regular turn-out time in a field… where they can see, smell and hear other horses… some managers make a balance between the natural and restricted forms of management. Bars or grills between stalls allow them to look out. And see other animals when they are being stabilized.
Stallions will live and work close to mares and other horses. Including other stallions, when properly trained. Many race horses are stallions. And at most horse shows, many stallions are shown together or with mares. When stallions are being conditioned to concentrate on their job, they will do very well. If they are being handled well.
Ways of Breeding
For breeding horses, the three basic approaches are:
pasture breeding, hand breeding, and artificial insemination.
Pasture Breeding
Pasture breeding, where the stallion is laid out with mares. In a broad natural environment. With nature taking its course, is ideal training for young stallions… who by interaction with seasoned mares, learn the code of mating. In certain cases, in the pasture breeding environment… conception rates for fertile stallions are enhanced. For one mare and a stallion, the space needed for pasture breeding needs no more room than a wide paddock.
The biggest downside to pasture breeding is… the possibility that a kicking mare could hurt a stallion. Although the odds of this occurring are slim.
Hand Breeding
Hand breeding makes it possible to directly check the breeding process. And offers an ability to pick breeding individuals for more features.
It is better and accidents are less likely to occur to the mare or stallion. The risk of sexually transmitted infections is less. And it is easy to detect fertility issues early enough to allow time for pregnancy during the season.
Hand breeding is often referred to as’ live-cover breeding.’ The mare is usually boarded at the stud farm when live cover breeding is agreed upon. The mare is often “teased” several times with a stallion that will not be bred to her. Usually over a barrier or fence with the stallion separated from the mare.
In general, a mare that is in heat can accept the teaser and may introduce itself to him. Usually, a veterinarian can assess if the mare is ready to go through breeding. By ultrasound or daily palpation to determine if ovulation has occurred.
Both the mare and the intended stud are washed and prepared for mating when decided that the mare is ready. To control the actions of both the mare and the stallion… the mare is then introduced to the stallion with an appropriate number of handlers. The number of handlers will usually vary from three to six. Depending on the individual horses. So, the mare and stallion can be easily separated if there is any trouble.
Artificial Insemination
The process during which semen is obtained from a stallion… and inserted into the reproductive tract of the mare is artificial insemination. When done correctly… the number of mares getting pregnant during the first cycle increases. It also reduces the risk of reproductive diseases spreading. And decreases the possibility of breeding injuries.
There are some benefits of artificial insemination over live cover. And a very close rate of conception. Breeding incidents and injuries are less. Since there is no interaction between the mare and the stallion. The mare often does not have to fly to the stallion. So, the process for her is less stressful.
Artificial insemination opens up access. Without any horse having to fly, to semen supplied by a stallion that is out of the region, across the world. Or on another continent.
Artificial insemination decreases the risk of spreading. Between mare and stallion of sexually transmitted diseases and illnesses. And encourages mares or stallions to continue to breed with health problems. Such as sore hocks.
Also, in some situations, semen can be frozen for later use after a stallion is dead or no longer in service. Although some breed registries may not allow a foal to register. As a result of the use of frozen semen after the death of a stallion.
