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Regular
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Location: B-F-E | I recently bought a really nice 2 yo stud colt. He’s gorgeous and people are already asking to breed to him. I wasn’t planning to keep him a stallion but now I kind of am. How do I go about the breeding aspect, live cover or shipped semen? Then there’s contracts to think about...where would I take him to have semen collected? What training techniques do I use to be able to trail ride him with other mares safely? He was meant to be my husbands main trail horse. He’s very quiet and calm. You almost wouldn’t even know he was a stallion. Any information and advice would be appreciated. |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
 
| Live cover is less expensive than ai, unless you already have the equipment and knowledge to do it yourself. You could probably set up a breeding lab for ai for $10,000-15,000. With PC Lock N Frost, the vet would come to my place to collect and then process at his clinic. So there are lots of ways of doing it. Live cover isn't all bad. Be sure to have processes in place to reduce contamination and the spread of disease. There is always a risk of bringing disease into your ranch if you allow outside horses, and liablility. When doing live cover, I used a breeding chute. That way the mare was contained and couldn't kick the stud. It can be really exciting, but really expensive and stressful. |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | Not trying to say this in a degrading way in the least, but a lot of questions you are asking a person needs to know before ever trying to stand a stallion. It can be REALLY challenging. I am sure he is nice right now as a two year old but that can all change in the next year as he matures and especially once you go to breeding him.
I can give you a few suggestions to try and help. If you go to live cover him, a couple different things. Ride him first, bring him in and use a different halter--I prefer a heavy leather one with a chain over their nose at first---breed him and then ride him as soon as you are done. Let him know there is a difference and a time to be a stud and a time to behave.
When you go to breed--do the exact same process every time. I hold a stick across their chest, while it is there---they have to behave. Once I drop it---they can start being a stud. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
 
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | Mighty Broke - 2018-11-08 7:27 AM
Not trying to say this in a degrading way in the least, but a lot of questions you are asking a person needs to know before ever trying to stand a stallion.
This. ^^^ It's really a steep learning curve to know all you need to know and mistakes will be made. It's not all fun and games. In fact, it's hardly fun most of the time. The rare times it's rewarding is when something by your stallion and maybe o/o one of your mares wins something pretty big or over a long period of time. But it's a lot of hard work. You have to be mentally tough to withstand the heartbreak that comes with raising horses.
It also brings out the crazy in some people when they are in direct competition with you and your stallion. I try to never talk bad about another stallion. Anyone who does is put on my "don't do business with" in the future. I witnessed first hand how low some people will go when they have a stallion and so do you.
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12703
| OregonBR - 2018-11-08 11:30 AM Mighty Broke - 2018-11-08 7:27 AM Not trying to say this in a degrading way in the least, but a lot of questions you are asking a person needs to know before ever trying to stand a stallion. This. ^^^ It's really a steep learning curve to know all you need to know and mistakes will be made. It's not all fun and games. In fact, it's hardly fun most of the time. The rare times it's rewarding is when something by your stallion and maybe o/o one of your mares wins something pretty big or over a long period of time. But it's a lot of hard work. You have to be mentally tough to withstand the heartbreak that comes with raising horses. It also brings out the crazy in some people when they are in direct competition with you and your stallion. I try to never talk bad about another stallion. Anyone who does is put on my "don't do business with" in the future. I witnessed first hand how low some people will go when they have a stallion and so do you.
And you have to be prepared to hear the owners of competing stallions bad mouth yours without returning the sentiment. Which is hard when said competion has a poor conformation but outruns yours.
Most, not all by any means, young colts are well behaved. They haven't come into their real testosterone yet and haven't learned much about mares yet. MB noted a week or so ago a particular conundrum with a stallion - breed them young to get their get into the pen or wait until the stallion has performed well first?? If you breed them young you also take a chance at them kinda losing their brain for training. And if you wait your stallion will be in his teens before his get hits the pen.
And never forget for a moment, second, half a second, that it is a STALLION and they are unpredictable. You may not have noticed a mare giving him a look but be assured he has. And his reaction to normal commands will reflect that. I had my boobie almost bit off by a young stallion who had never offtered one moment of bad behavior before that split second attack, and has not acted anything except gentle and well mannered ever since. If I was shorter that would have been my shoulder or neck. |
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That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| lonely va barrelxr - 2018-11-08 1:37 PM OregonBR - 2018-11-08 11:30 AM Mighty Broke - 2018-11-08 7:27 AM Not trying to say this in a degrading way in the least, but a lot of questions you are asking a person needs to know before ever trying to stand a stallion. This. ^^^ It's really a steep learning curve to know all you need to know and mistakes will be made. It's not all fun and games. In fact, it's hardly fun most of the time. The rare times it's rewarding is when something by your stallion and maybe o/o one of your mares wins something pretty big or over a long period of time. But it's a lot of hard work. You have to be mentally tough to withstand the heartbreak that comes with raising horses. It also brings out the crazy in some people when they are in direct competition with you and your stallion. I try to never talk bad about another stallion. Anyone who does is put on my "don't do business with" in the future. I witnessed first hand how low some people will go when they have a stallion and so do you.
Most, not all by any means, young colts are well behaved. They haven't come into their real testosterone yet and haven't learned much about mares yet. MB noted a week or so ago a particular conundrum with a stallion - breed them young to get their get into the pen or wait until the stallion has performed well first?? If you breed them young you also take a chance at them kinda losing their brain for training. And if you wait your stallion will be in his teens before his get hits the pen.
And never forget for a moment, second, half a second, that it is a STALLION and they are unpredictable. You may not have noticed a mare giving him a look but be assured he has. And his reaction to normal commands will reflect that. I had my boobie almost bit off by a young stallion who had never offtered one moment of bad behavior before that split second attack, and has not acted anything except gentle and well mannered ever since. If I was shorter that would have been my shoulder or neck.
There is a story here locally about a very well mannered stallion that had been used hard on the ranch. One day one of the young kids of the family was outside and climbed up the panel of that stallion. The stallion reached over and grabed the 3 year old kid by the back of the neck, stallion tossed the kid across the paddock. They say the kid was dead before he hit the ground. You just never know, and can never trust them completely. |
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Regular
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Location: B-F-E | Thanks for the constructive advice. I swear, I posted something similar on facebook and all they did was bully me about all the horses in kill pens and how I should just geld him. I didn't realize how much went into breeding them. I was just trying to get more info about it. I've decided to geld him probably very early next year. Its a lot more than I feel like dealing with. |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| Plus to be on the cautious side, a woman should never handle a stallion while breeding when she is on her period. I found that out the hard way. |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | partygirlbsu007 - 2018-11-09 1:55 AM
Thanks for the constructive advice. I swear, I posted something similar on facebook and all they did was bully me about all the horses in kill pens and how I should just geld him. I didn't realize how much went into breeding them. I was just trying to get more info about it. I've decided to geld him probably very early next year. Its a lot more than I feel like dealing with.
From personal experience, you've made the best choice for your sanity and wallet.
Even breeding a stud locally to a few mares is a lot of work.
My mom bought a stud prospect many years ago when I was a teen and it wasn't near as easy as she thought it would be. Once you own a stud, you realize just how many are out there and how much competition you have. He had the whole package, but we lacked the financial and professional resources to really promote him to a higher level.
Of the mares she bred, he really only had one go on to do anything in the barrel pen.
He ended up being gelded around 12 years old.
Edited to say:
The colts we buy now, we leave them intact until the first sign they realize what they are...my husband prefers the larger jaw and thinks they grow and develop a little more. So they usually stay intact until they're 3.
Edited by dashnlotti 2018-11-09 8:56 AM
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Champ
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Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | partygirlbsu007 - 2018-11-08 11:55 PM
Thanks for the constructive advice. I swear, I posted something similar on facebook and all they did was bully me about all the horses in kill pens and how I should just geld him. I didn't realize how much went into breeding them. I was just trying to get more info about it. I've decided to geld him probably very early next year. Its a lot more than I feel like dealing with.
If you want to keep your options open for a little while, you could collect and freeze some semen. You only have 2 years from the time you geld him to use it though. That way you could see what he would be like as a breeding horse. It might help you decide so you don't have regrets. |
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Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | Sandok - 2018-11-09 6:39 AM
Plus to be on the cautious side, a woman should never handle a stallion while breeding when she is on her period. I found that out the hard way.
Bull. I don't believe that. I think it's an old wives tale. I know a LOT of women to handle stallions in all situations and it makes no difference. JMO |
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Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12703
| OregonBR - 2018-11-09 10:36 AM Sandok - 2018-11-09 6:39 AM Plus to be on the cautious side, a woman should never handle a stallion while breeding when she is on her period. I found that out the hard way. Bull. I don't believe that. I think it's an old wives tale. I know a LOT of women to handle stallions in all situations and it makes no difference. JMO
I was still fertile when Zan was young but well into menopause when Peon bit me. I never had Zan act any worse or better, interested in me or not, when I was still having a period. I do get embarrased because he gives me big stallion greeting screams when we're at big shows and I haven't seen him for a bit - but again has nothing to do with male/female stuff and everything to do with the bond of stallion/rider (owner/caretaker/etc.). |
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Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | Sandok - 2018-11-09 8:39 AM
Plus to be on the cautious side, a woman should never handle a stallion while breeding when she is on her period. I found that out the hard way.
You need to be careful around a stud at all times, no matter what your gender.
As someone who handles a lot of young studs I’ve never seen the wives tale above to be true. |
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 Peecans
| If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place.
But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares.
I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by. |
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Location: USA | OregonBR - 2018-11-09 9:34 AM partygirlbsu007 - 2018-11-08 11:55 PM Thanks for the constructive advice. I swear, I posted something similar on facebook and all they did was bully me about all the horses in kill pens and how I should just geld him. I didn't realize how much went into breeding them. I was just trying to get more info about it. I've decided to geld him probably very early next year. Its a lot more than I feel like dealing with. If you want to keep your options open for a little while, you could collect and freeze some semen. You only have 2 years from the time you geld him to use it though. That way you could see what he would be like as a breeding horse. It might help you decide so you don't have regrets.
I tried this with our 2 young studs. The one wouldn't mount the dummy. We spents thousands hauling him to a vet clinic, but he was too shy to mount the dummy. So we tried the other colt. Low and behold, he was a rockstar at mounting and collected him within minutes. Well, get his spem under the microscope,and his sperm is terrible. The vet starts talking to me about options, I didn't waste her time.I said I am gelding him! I wished I had just gelded him right off, as he took almost a year to get over his studdiness. Anyway, that was the shortened version.
I grew up on a breeding ranch. And like you say,few rewards. Lots of headaches. You really need a special facility, and don't expect to go anywhere from February to July if you get any decent number of mares LOL
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That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by.
Totally agree. I would never do it again myself. If I can't pull 30+ mares a year to justify standing him at a facility, then I'd just breed my own. |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | OregonBR - 2018-11-09 9:36 AM
Sandok - 2018-11-09 6:39 AM
Plus to be on the cautious side, a woman should never handle a stallion while breeding when she is on her period. I found that out the hard way.
Bull. I don't believe that. I think it's an old wives tale. I know a LOT of women to handle stallions in all situations and it makes no difference. JMO
Yeah I collect stallions as part of my job and I could not imagine telling my male bosses that I had to sit this one out because I'm menstruating. Not going to happen. |
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You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Whiteboy - 2018-11-09 3:59 PM
della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by.
Totally agree. I would never do it again myself. If I can't pull 30+ mares a year to justify standing him at a facility, then I'd just breed my own.
I have always dreamed of having my own stallion and standing it.. but honestly IDK anymore. I don't see myself having the $$ to spend in all the incentives and all that. I kind of feel that if I do ever have a colt who is nice enough to be a stallion, that I may just keep it small and do my own thing. Enjoy my stuff. IDK. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by.
Della I never knew that you were standing a stud, what is his name I would love to look him up, how long did you have him? |
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Peecans
| Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 3:50 PM
della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by.
Della I never knew that you were standing a stud, what is his name I would love to look him up, how long did you have him?
He passed away too young and very unexpectedly 7 almost 8 years ago. I can grab photos of him later if you really want to see.
Im looking for the perfect boy for my mares though Im tired.of running back and forth and shipping semen lol |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | della - 2018-11-09 4:58 PM Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 3:50 PM della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by. Della I never knew that you were standing a stud, what is his name I would love to look him up, how long did you have him? He passed away too young and very unexpectedly 7 almost 8 years ago. I can grab photos of him later if you really want to see. Im looking for the perfect boy for my mares though Im tired.of running back and forth and shipping semen lol
Awesome,,,yes post a picture of him, I would love to see him, I know that you really love your horses and it sounds like you have had some really nice ones in your lifetime, lol.. |
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Peecans
| Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 4:04 PM della - 2018-11-09 4:58 PM Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 3:50 PM della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by. Della I never knew that you were standing a stud, what is his name I would love to look him up, how long did you have him? He passed away too young and very unexpectedly 7 almost 8 years ago. I can grab photos of him later if you really want to see. Im looking for the perfect boy for my mares though Im tired.of running back and forth and shipping semen lol
this was cooter
I can not seem to locate any of the really good pictures other than some quick snaps I had taken. It is a shame he was very pretty, rode nice too on the ranch, he was mostley cow but went to truly truckle on the bottom, I have never had before or since a horse that had so much strength and power in his stride and yet just floated, he should have been a great one. I at least have a piece of him still, Hes the dad to the horse in my profile pic.
And thank you, I do love my horses very much they are part of my sole. I have been blessed to have never had a bad horse, some I wish I could re have now that im smarter lol but dont we all. Though I dont feel it every AM, Im still resonabley young and hope to build a standout little breeding program. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | della - 2018-11-10 9:21 PM
Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 4:04 PM della - 2018-11-09 4:58 PM Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 3:50 PM della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by. Della I never knew that you were standing a stud, what is his name I would love to look him up, how long did you have him? He passed away too young and very unexpectedly 7 almost 8 years ago. I can grab photos of him later if you really want to see. Im looking for the perfect boy for my mares though Im tired.of running back and forth and shipping semen lol
this was cooter I can not seem to locate any of the really good pictures other than some quick snaps I had taken. It is a shame he was very pretty, rode nice too on the ranch, he was mostley cow but went to truly truckle on the bottom, I have never had before or since a horse that had so much strength and power in his stride and yet just floated, he should have been a great one. I at least have a piece of him still, Hes the dad to the horse in my profile pic. And thank you, I do love my horses very much they are part of my sole. I have been blessed to have never had a bad horse, some I wish I could re have now that im smarter lol but dont we all. Though I dont feel it every AM, Im still resonabley young and hope to build a standout little breeding program.
Here's hoping you find another good one and that program takes off---Cooter was a pretty boy. Even tho it's been some years, I'm sorry for your loss. . . . |
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Peecans
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Regular
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Location: B-F-E | thanks for the advice! That was all a really thought about doing was breeding him to a few mares for a couple years then gelding him. My friend has a mare and really liked him and a few others had approached me about breeding to him but he's a very big horse already (16.2) and I think the sooner the better now. He's kept at a boarding facility with other people handling him beside me and he's too much of a liability. |
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Regular
Posts: 63
Location: B-F-E | Collecting some semen from him before he's gelded would be ideal...I just don't know how or where to go about that either. I live in northwest Indiana...not a whole lot of options I don't think around here :( |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | della - 2018-11-10 9:21 PM Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 4:04 PM della - 2018-11-09 4:58 PM Southtxponygirl - 2018-11-09 3:50 PM della - 2018-11-09 3:02 PM If I were to ever have a stud again I would stand him at a facility where they do all the collection (collection training as well), shipping and onsite AI and mare care. No way do I ever want that liability and stress again of mares and foals on my place. But there are 4 great places quite close to me so that does make it easier to do that. I could take him back and forth and ride / breed my own mares. I have been casually stud shopping and pondering my goals and plans and that's pretty much what I have decided if Mr. Perfect trots on by. Della I never knew that you were standing a stud, what is his name I would love to look him up, how long did you have him? He passed away too young and very unexpectedly 7 almost 8 years ago. I can grab photos of him later if you really want to see. Im looking for the perfect boy for my mares though Im tired.of running back and forth and shipping semen lol this was cooter
I can not seem to locate any of the really good pictures other than some quick snaps I had taken. It is a shame he was very pretty, rode nice too on the ranch, he was mostley cow but went to truly truckle on the bottom, I have never had before or since a horse that had so much strength and power in his stride and yet just floated, he should have been a great one. I at least have a piece of him still, Hes the dad to the horse in my profile pic.
And thank you, I do love my horses very much they are part of my sole. I have been blessed to have never had a bad horse, some I wish I could re have now that im smarter lol but dont we all. Though I dont feel it every AM, Im still resonabley young and hope to build a standout little breeding program.
He sure was keeping himself warm with all that hair, lol..Thanks for the picture della, he looks like he was a real sweetheart and pretty to boot too..At least you got a son of his and can enjoy..  |
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| My biggest advice would be to socialize him. Mine was at the track under the care of trainers that made him behave. I was pregnant at the time and wouldn’t have been able to haul him and teach him the manners he needed to know. Now as a 5 year old he is very well behaved at barrel races. That doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have his moments, but I really credit his time and experiences at the track with his good behavior.
As far as standing to the public, I think we all dream of having that special one that makes it big. But I’m not even wasting my time and money right now, I’m focusing on getting him proven in the arena. I’ve had some people approach me about breeding to him, and at this point in time I’m offering live cover to them. If all I ever do is breed my own personal mares I’ll be happy. I like him and my mares, and that’s what matters to me.
The other thing to consider is your facilities. If someone asked me what it was like to have a stud (I’m a first time stud owner), I would say lots of bent panels! My guy is not secluded but he has to have enough separation that he can’t touch noses, or he will constantly lean on the panels.
I know you said you’ve decided that you’ll likely geld him, but in case you change your mind I wanted to offer that advice from a fellow newby to stallion owning! |
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Regular
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Location: B-F-E | Jenbabe - 2018-11-13 1:12 PM
My biggest advice would be to socialize him. Mine was at the track under the care of trainers that made him behave. I was pregnant at the time and wouldn’t have been able to haul him and teach him the manners he needed to know. Now as a 5 year old he is very well behaved at barrel races. That doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have his moments, but I really credit his time and experiences at the track with his good behavior.
As far as standing to the public, I think we all dream of having that special one that makes it big. But I’m not even wasting my time and money right now, I’m focusing on getting him proven in the arena. I’ve had some people approach me about breeding to him, and at this point in time I’m offering live cover to them. If all I ever do is breed my own personal mares I’ll be happy. I like him and my mares, and that’s what matters to me.
The other thing to consider is your facilities. If someone asked me what it was like to have a stud (I’m a first time stud owner), I would say lots of bent panels! My guy is not secluded but he has to have enough separation that he can’t touch noses, or he will constantly lean on the panels.
I know you said you’ve decided that you’ll likely geld him, but in case you change your mind I wanted to offer that advice from a fellow newby to stallion owning!
When you say to socialize him, I'm not sure what you mean. His current situation is he is at a boarding facility in a stallion paddock so he cannot touch noses with anyone. He goes out during the day and in a stall in the evening. He has horses all around him outside, just none close enough to touch. I try to handle him everyday I go out there and the barn manager is the one that takes him in and out every day and she's knowledgable of stallions. He has a really nice disposition and is rarely naughty. Very sensitive too...if reprimanded for something, he almost acts very hurt. I was only wanting to a few friends' mares as they expressed an interest. This isn't anything I want to do long term. For one, he's a Tennessee Walking horse. He's supposed to be my husband's new trail horse. I think it would be difficult taking him to the places we go to as a stud. I also trail ride a mare so...
When you live cover breed him, what precautions do you take so your stud doesn't get injured? Do you use certain training techniques so he knows when it's time to breed and when it's not? |
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 Go go girl
| I think socializing should include being able to actually interact with other horses. I had my stud turned out with his brother that is a year older until he was 2, then I turned him out with an older gelding until he was 4. And they were across the fence from two other geldings. Now that they are all penned up he is across the fence from the older gelding, and sometimes his brother. I think it is important for them to learn how to be a horse, and learn from other horses how to act and have boundaries. Now that he is older he is in his own pen, but always across the fence from another horse. He gets alot of training under saddle and ground work, and has never bred a mare, so that helps his attitude alot I am sure. |
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Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12703
| My exerience with stallion socialization:
Zan got along with everyone for years and years. I used him to keep the weaners company until he was 6, along with my only gelding Boy. The fillies would be pulled and put with older mares when they were nearing yearling age and the young males would stay, so it was a nice mixed age herd of males. When Zan was 6 he ended up running the Boy through a RAM fence causing a $1900 vet bill and permanent loss of full use (he stepped on Boy's neck somehow). Since the Boy could be a bit pesky I thought maybe Zan just got tired of him - Boy went to live with the ladies after that. Fast forward about 4 months and Zan ran my Bully Bullion colt through a vinyl fence (just scratches on this one). So that was the end of Zan being able to be social. He now lives alone in the arena with mares in the two pastures next to it. He loves this life even tho it's frustrating to him that he can't actually breed mares through the fence. The only time I've tried to put males back next to him led to a bit boob. I really wanted my stallion/s to be horse social, but if you think about horses in the wild there are batchelor herds and then there is the herd stallion, who tolerates little from the batchelors. If your stallion decides he is the herd stallion then he will behave accordingly with the other males in his territory. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | I think it is a mistake to breed your stallion before you geld him if you are wanting a nice, quiet trail horse. You never know how a young stallion is going to handle the situation of breeding/training plus he is at a boarding barn. Remember you are the one that will have to put up with the bad behavior and training to get him back under control not the mare owners, so again I say, geld him since your goal is to have a quiet trail horse for your hushand. |
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Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| I guess maybe socializing isn’t the best word! My stallion was raised in the pasture with other horses, but he was gathered as a yearling. As a two and three year old we did turn him out with another gelding. That being said, he is in a pen by himself now, and the only thing he might get turned out with is a grouchy bred mare!
What I meant is to get him out now riding around other horses while he is still young and the hormones haven’t really kicked in. I frequently have the local barrel racers apologizing for getting right beside my guy, and I tell them it’s no big deal. First of all, it’s my responsibility, but secondly he can handle it because he knows bad behavior is not allowed while I’m riding. (Again, I never let my guard down because he is a stallion.).
If you’re going to put him in a social situation later in his life, make it happen now as well.
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Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| For breeding, I have a certain area where we take him. I make sure the mare is ready and willing to stand by allowing him to tease her. Then he has a special halter for breeding time.
I think the big thing is consistency and making sure he understands the difference.
I want to add that I agree with what was also posted. If I planned to geld, I wouldn’t ever breed. What is known cannot be unknown! It might be okay, but you also might have a gelding that never quite gets over that experience. Just not worth the hassle to me. |
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Regular
Posts: 63
Location: B-F-E | Jenbabe - 2018-11-14 4:15 PM
For breeding, I have a certain area where we take him. I make sure the mare is ready and willing to stand by allowing him to tease her. Then he has a special halter for breeding time.
I think the big thing is consistency and making sure he understands the difference.
I want to add that I agree with what was also posted. If I planned to geld, I wouldn’t ever breed. What is known cannot be unknown! It might be okay, but you also might have a gelding that never quite gets over that experience. Just not worth the hassle to me.
He's already been bred to one mare before I bought him. Still acts perfectly fine. |
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Go go girl
| I had a gelding that was a breeding stallion before I bought him, he was gelded at 7 and I got him at 8. Was never anything other than a perfect gentleman. Some of them can keep their brains and manners, some can't. |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | For what it's worth,
If you don't own the facility where he lives, Whack them off soon.
I'm actually surprised they let you keep an intact male there.
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Regular
Posts: 63
Location: B-F-E | 1DSoon - 2018-11-15 7:49 AM
For what it's worth,
If you don't own the facility where he lives, Whack them off soon.
I'm actually surprised they let you keep an intact male there.
The place used to be a breeding facility before the current owners bought it and decided to make it a boarding facility, lol. It's already set up for stallions and for breeding actually. The current manager of it has a stallion of her own that she may bring out there eventually so she was totally fine with it. I actually talked to her about getting him cut sooner rather than later and she basically talked me out of it. |
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 Left Out
Posts: 6795
Location: Silex Missouri | I am going to be brutely honest with you. You may not like what I have to say. First, if you don't own your own place, you don't need to own a stallion. If you don't do something with him yourself everyday, you don't need a stallion. We have two at home right now. I have competed on and hauled one of them. It requires 110% more time, energy, effort and responsiblity than owning a mare or gelding. You don't get to just go to a show and hang out with friends while your stud is standing at the trailer. You don't get to just enter a big show and show up. You have to clear your entry wtih the facility/promoter and arrange proper stalling while at the show. You no longer get to just worry about you but EVERYONE and their horse. Stallions will try you everyday. They are smart, they are full of testosterone, they able to smell an in heat mare a mile away. You have to be the Alpha with them all the time. A lot of professional trainers won't haul one because of the extra effort hauling one takes. I'm not trying to be mean or hateful. Just honest. |
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Regular
Posts: 63
Location: B-F-E | willyturnit - 2018-11-15 8:48 PM
I am going to be brutely honest with you. You may not like what I have to say. First, if you don't own your own place, you don't need to own a stallion. If you don't do something with him yourself everyday, you don't need a stallion. We have two at home right now. I have competed on and hauled one of them. It requires 110% more time, energy, effort and responsiblity than owning a mare or gelding. You don't get to just go to a show and hang out with friends while your stud is standing at the trailer. You don't get to just enter a big show and show up. You have to clear your entry wtih the facility/promoter and arrange proper stalling while at the show. You no longer get to just worry about you but EVERYONE and their horse. Stallions will try you everyday. They are smart, they are full of testosterone, they able to smell an in heat mare a mile away. You have to be the Alpha with them all the time. A lot of professional trainers won't haul one because of the extra effort hauling one takes. I'm not trying to be mean or hateful. Just honest.
I appreciate the insight. He's not a barrel horse or anything though. He's a Tennessee Walker so just a trail horse. I was just going to breed him to a few mares (that my friend's own) this spring and then cut him afterward. He was just bought to be a trail horse. We probably wouldn't take him camping with us until after he was cut and all his juices were gone  |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | ![](<a href="https://imgur.com/ohPMEPE"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ohPMEPE.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>)  |
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How to keep a stallion