I'm new to the world of stallions, my 15 mo old Foundation QH stud colt will be "possibly" left as one for my breeding farm.
I say possibly, because he has to prove himself as a horse fist. He has great confirmation, wonderful tememperment and great papers, but at the end of the day he's gotta be a good all around horse before he will be bred, if not I will have a really nice gelding.
Because I'm even considering having a stallion, I wanted to know what would be the best fencing for him.
A friend suggested a 6ft board fence with all posts concreted in the ground. But how big should that area be? 1 acre, 2 acre..???
My colt has been raised with another colt that will be gelded in the next few weeks.. can they continue to live together?
Sorry for all the questions, all these are things to consider before I decide weather or not I will own a stallion or if my girls will just go visit a man...
Also if there are other things to consider please let me know. My farm's co-owner has owned and delt with Stallions for about 15 years so I've been listing to his advice, but I want to be sure I'm considering all angels before making a final decision.
Beverly, Wood fence is good, We use a 4 board fence, I believe the top board is 60 inches. We don't cement posts just because if they do break the cement is hard to deal with when replacing a post--and it happens they do break every now and then. We also run a two strand electric fence wire, one on the top and one in the middle. We do just fine, depending on the stallion sometimes we don't use the electric wire. My current two year old colt, at this time does not need it, he is very quiet and respects the fence even when there is a mare in season.
Yes to the question of living with a gelding. That is great that you can continue to house them together. My two year old lives with my 14 year old gelding, although the 14 year old still thinks he should be in charge! Enless there poses a safty problem then let them be together, as they age just watch. They should be jsut fine, after they are two or three things may change with attitudes and dispostions just be aware of it and keep an eye on them. Horses are herd animals and like company.
size of lot depends on your situation and what you intend to do. The more work a horse gets the less room they need in our opinoun. We have several dry turn outs close to the barn for animals being worked and shown and those that are not get scooted out farther from the barn. Convienience is a factor for us as well.
My biggest advice on a colt or any young horse, don't play with them. What seems to be fun and games now can become problems as the horse ages. Don't play chasing games in the turnout trying to catch one and things like that. When it comes to a colt that is a stallion prospect(all horses for that matter) teach them good ground manners, respect is a key issue. Just like kids, you tell them to do something, then expect it. You say no, you mean no. Ho, and stand mean just that. You respect their space and teach them to respect yours.
We use a 3 rail vinyl horse fence from http://www.gardnerfence.com it has worked great. We also have 2 strands of electric tape, one on the top rail and on in the middle. We have a 4 yr old friesian stallion and a 2 yr old friesian stallion and neither has went through the fence or took out a rail yet.
Our whole property is fenced in with this fence with electric tape used as a divider for the arena and grass pasture. Our horses have demonstrated in the past they will jump a fence if pressured to much, I think this may be a male thing as even our gelding will go over the round pen fence if he gets to much pressure. We fix that problem by always giving them a way out, never let them think the only way out is over the top - but they havent tried to go over the fence to get a mare. I think the tape discourages that.
Make sure you set the posts very deep. My stud has an acre and 1/2 paddock that pipe and wire mesh and is 5 1/2 to six feet tall. He has geldings next door that he is buddies with during the fall and winter but during breeding season he gets aggressive and pushes on the fence, he has bent it considerable because the post aren’t deep enough.
My stallion fences are 6.5 feet tall. 3 inches between boards. Bottom board is 8 inches off ground. I also have hot top wire. My stallions pens are nice size, 100 X 180 with 12 X 12 Shelter and they have their own grazing pasture for summer, which is 2 acres and they get out on it twice a day for 2 hours each time. Their grazing pasture is done in hot wire.
(Message edited by mysteryarabpt on January 23, 2007)
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 09:02 pm:
Pipe fencing is good for stallions and is probably the most permanent fence. Every stallion is different I've had some that are easier to handle and be around than some geldings. Then I've had some that are a royal pain. You are at an advantage raising yours from a babe. Stallions aren't as bad as they're made out to be it mostly depends on their raising (in my opinion). The hormones start about 2yrs and are usually full force by 3yrs.
I think most solid (non wire strand) fences will work with stallions if they are strong enough and tall enough.
We have always found it necessary to put an electric wire or electric tape at least at the top of the fence, however. If there are horses on the opposite side of the fence, stallions may stand up and try to get their heads/necks over the top of the fence to tease or exert dominance. If they can successfully do that, you may be looking at the next step: the stallion actually going on over.
So, an electric wire above the top rail helps a great deal, and another one halfway up will also discourage him sticking his head through and rubbing off his mane. :-)
An idea for posts....... We use old railroad ties they are usually tall enough and they dont bend, and we had a chewer and they smelt bad so he wouldnt chew on them..... But aquiring them might be a little harder...., (We live next to a railroad) Just my two cents worth
Not my favorite way to go just because I dont like wire, but it does work. Is to to run a hot wire or tape about 3 ft on the inside of his fence or on both sides if the fence seperates say mares from stallion. I have used this when all my fences were smooth wire and I wanted a little more between herds than that.
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