There are several factors to consider in attempting to give an answer to this question, so it is difficult to give you a specific response. Generally it would not be wise to permit an 11 year-old to handle a stallion, but the size and experience of the 11 year-old and the size, age, temperament and manners of the stallion are all variables that should be taken into consideration in order to give an answer (which of course I cannot review).
Although stallions can be extremely well behaved, they do have the capacity to react in a forceful manner under certain circumstances, which could be difficult for an 11 year-old to deal with and may have dramatic consequences (e.g. if a stallion were to "get away" from the handler and breed a mare by mistake). Generally therefore, as I say having a junior handling a stallion is not advisable. In fact, in the show ring in Canada, it is not permitted and I believe many, if not most, of the shows in the USA are the same.
MEAGAN
Posted on Monday, January 15, 2001 - 01:54 pm:
IN USA A 16 YEAR OLD OR YOUNGER CAN HANDLE A STALLION UNTIL IT IS A WEANLING I THINK. BUT THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.
Jos
Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2001 - 12:31 am:
Handling a weanling colt is a very different proposition from handling a stallion!
A male horse before it has reached puberty is no different to handle from any other youngster of the same age. Once puberty is reached at 12 to 18 months of age however, the natural sexual desires of the animal will be inclined to exert themselves, which now makes the animal unsuitable to be handled by most 11 year-olds.
Additonally, please note that a "stallion" is an entire (i.e. un-castrated) male horse older than the age of three, whereas a "colt" however is the correct term for a male horse three or younger; and a "weanling" describes a colt or filly (female up to 3) that is no longer nursing, but is not yet a yearling. Very important points in determining the differences between these animals!
MEAGAN
Posted on Thursday, January 04, 1996 - 12:44 am:
MY LITTLE COLT YOU WOULD SAY IS PRETTY BIG FOR HIS AGE. HE IS BIGGER THAN A 3 MONTH OLD AND HE IS 2 WEEKS OLD , HE KICKS HIS MOM AND MOMA DOESENT DO ANY THING. THATS WHAT IM WORRIED ABOUT. WE WONT BE ADLE TO HANDLE HIM WHEN HE GETS OLDER.
Jos
Posted on Thursday, January 04, 1996 - 02:52 am:
That is perfectly normal behaviour for a colt (or filly) and the mare.
You will have to train the foal though! They don't automatically accept handling and behave in a manner humans consider "acceptable". If you are not sure of how to do that, you should seek help from someone locally who is knowledgeable, as you are right in your belief that you could head into problems in the future if you don't work with him.
Right now, all that is important is that he is used to being handled by humans and you might want to put a halter on him and get him used to the concept of wearing one and being moved around (i.e. led) by it. Even that requires some specialized knowledge though, so try and find someone to help you.
I have bought a 16 hands welsh cob stallion. he is very bulky and very strong. I am only 15 and find it easy anough to ride him in a snaffle. I think that depending on the obility of the 11 year old and providing the stallion is not known to be "stallioney". That it would alright for an 11year old to ride a stallion. Also my brother is 11 years old and he owns an 4/5 year old "rig". He is 14.3 nearly 15 hands heavy wieght cob and he can get fustrated. my brother is intermediate to exprienced in abbility, like mysef and has no problems in handling him when he is disruptive.
Anonymous
Posted on Thursday, April 05, 2001 - 09:54 pm:
Stallions are completely different once bred! Usually will behave for a 15 year old up until the time he is bred and then they become more of a handful.
My thoughts on an 11 year old handling a stallion is varied. An ideal situation would be an aged experienced riding pony stallion with a good temperament well used to covering and being ridden in a busy riding environment. Unlike a young colt or mature covering stallion who is stabled, well fed and only existing as a sire, where it would be unkind to expect an 11 year old to always make the right decisions in handling the horse and have the strength if he became too excited or strong.
Cashgurl
Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2001 - 04:40 pm:
I think a stallion may be handled by an 11 year. I think it has NOTHING to do with size! My friends's farm owns plenty of stallions. They have a POA stud who is HORRIBLE to handle and a couple of APHA studs who are a dream to handle. Yes I have handled a stud at the age of 11. Depending on the stud it can be perfectly safe.
Kelly
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 12:48 pm:
The answer is dependant upon the experience of the handler. Do you intend to train this colt yourself? If you do, then please get professional help. This is NO JOB for a novice, not ever.
If the stallion is already trained AND you are under the supervision of a trained professional, then have at it. Be aware that it is always a seriuos situation. Many stallions are thought to be "safe" until they are not.
Anonymous (216.189.1.79)
Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 06:29 pm:
I have a stallion for the first time in my life, and have had so much flack from horse people about him! Boarding was terrible! People wanted to tell me how to handle him and raise prices on us because of his gender and coming of age, NOT his attitude. He is a VERY calm horse, handled from birth up by ME. When we finally got our own place, it was such a relief! My Stallion is 16.1 hands, and I'm a 25 year old 5' 4 1/2" lady. He's been ridden AND bred, and he is WONDERFUL! I've been around horses all my life but never owned one, which is ANOTHER reason people have felt it necessary to give me their unwanted advice. Yes, Stallions are large, and unpredictable, but so are ANY horses.. and you should use caution and practice safe habits no matter what you do or what horse you have. I'm tired of people acting like you have to be a brain surgeon to own one! Yes they are work, but ANYONE can do it if they are willing to put forth the effort! I drive a car with a LOT of horse power under the hood.. I take a risk EVERYDAY on the road handling unpredictable STUPID drivers that I can NOT control! It is Your life, don't let people tell you what to do and how to handle your own horse, just be safe and practice COMMON SENSE with your surroundings, and be VERY aware of what you are doing at all times! Accidents happen to EVERYONE, you just have to make sure you are wearing your seatbelt, take your test, practice, and atleast try to be safe! But I would give this advice to ANY owner of ANY kind of horse! If it is your dream, then GO FOR IT! Own a stallion! Own dozens of Stallions! It is up to you and you alone to be responsible to provide the best care, and good fencing, and common sense handling! If you are running into a confidence problem, then I would suggest finding a trainer that is POSITIVE and believes the SAME way you do towards YOUR dreams! Don't let competitive horse people push you around or tell you what to do! They just fear you taking their business away or they want to control you and have what you have!
Hi, this is my first time to post on these message boards; but my question is about my 8 month old Paint colt. We bought him back in November and intend on showing him in halter and using him for breeding. What I was wondering is if when he gets older we should continue to let him run with our other horses (3 geldings, and 4 mares) or separate him, maybe with one or two of our geldings. I'd rather pasture breed them, but there are maybe a couple of mares I won't want bred right away when he's of breeding age. One of our geldings, we kept as a stallion up until he was 2 years old and had already bred once. One of our geldings, an 11 year old Paint,has sired 4 horses. I was thinking that possibly these geldings could help keep him in line when around the mares if we continued to allow him to run around with them. Anyone have any tips or opinions? Thanks!
Kelly (63.172.47.225)
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 02:36 am:
The geldings would be just the ticket. If the mares were breed, they would be fine too. Remember, some stallions mature earlier than others. He definitely needs social interaction, and a herd invironment would be ideal. Too many young stallions are separated from contact and do not learn their manners the good old fashion way!
It may be rough on him for a day or so, but they will sort it out. If HE happens to be the dominate one, it would not be the thing to do. However, at that age, I would suspect that the older geldings will put him in his place. You will find that he should be easier to train and work with, especially if you intend on keeping him a stallion.
Anonymous (63.20.90.176)
Posted on Monday, March 25, 2002 - 09:05 pm:
Questions: How old can a colt/stallion be to allow them turn out with other horses.We have 2 colts.One 1 yr., and another 22 mos.Can they be turned out together?The 1 yr old is out with my mare(not his dam). The 22 mos old has been by himself since he has been 15mos becasue he was too pesky to my mare(always trying to jump her)He is turned out next to horses.He can always see horses and is stabled next to our gelding.Our gelding is 4yr and 17h and I don't want any vet bills and anquish! Also,the older colt bites! Not to be mean.His ears are never back and I think his does it as a game.(he'll bite you in the butt if you're bending over!)It just gets frustrating,because you can't pat him without him trying to take a nip.He has never hurt anyone,but I don't want it to get worse.We basically ignore him.I tried squirting lemon in his mouth, but he liked it! Any ideas?He's very smart and we handle him daily.He's a Houdini and can get out of anything! He's very laid back otherwise.These are our first studs.My daughter is an eventer and we've been involved with horses for years. So, it's not like we're new or uneducated in horse care/training.Should we still have a "stallion" related trainer work with these two?We walk them everyday.they stand in crossties.good for the farrier.Will stand with saddle on,blankets on and general grooming.the older has just handled a bridle and bit fine. Also,I have a 15 yr old maiden TB mare off the track. Is it "pushing" it to breed her at this age?I've had alot of different opinions,but I want to do what is "safe" for her.I wouldn't want to put her in jeporady.I can always get a younger mare. Has anyone else read the stallion article on the Pat Parelli web site?I agree with his natural horsemanship 100%,but his stallion article will scare the dickens out of you!Especially people that never dealt with a stallion. Thank You All so much!
Kelly (63.172.47.197)
Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 01:22 pm:
You are experiencing the first of many problems of owning a stallion! I turn out my young stallions with other stallions of the same age. You have a different situation here.
The younger one would benefit from social contact, but may be bullied by the older one. The younger one may be better off with the older gelding, if he is quiet and not aggressive.
The 4 year old gelding may be the better partner for the older colt. It would be ideal if the 4 year old would boss that colt around a bit. If the reverse is happening, then that would not be a good situation. You can put them together and see how they figure it out. There may be some kicking and noise at first, but then they usually get their positions in order. It would be best for the mental and behavioral aspect of their development.
The biting has got to go. No question about that one. Carry a small breath spray in your pocket, and when he attempts to bite, spray it in his mouth. They do not like those breath sprays!It may not be mean spirited now, but there is no doubt that it will develop into a dangerous habit. Have no illusions about that.
If your mare is in good shape and an examination by your vet finds her in breedable condition, go ahead. There are many mares much older, having healthy foals with no problems. 15 is not really that old. Good luck!
Kelly (63.172.47.197)
Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 01:40 pm:
I had a look at that Parelli site. He is right. People should be aware that the most docile stallion can change in a heartbeat. One never knows until it happens. It may never come, or it can happen after 10 years of quiet handling. That is the point, one can NEVER be certain. Most stallions are not the quality to remain so, and they make wonderful geldings.
Not many professional horsemen are qualified to handle stallions, they are a different deal altogether. Only people with considerable experience with stallions should be raising them in my opinion. It is just not worth the risk to man or animal.
Kim
Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 04:23 pm:
After reading many posts it seems to me that there are several people asking questions about standing stallions who do not have the knowledge or experience to asess whether or not their animal should be a stallion. There are way too many horses in the world...please make sure you have an animal who should be producing. And make sure you are safe! Anyone who would have to ask if an eleven year old should handle a stallion does not have enough experience to handle one themselves...let alone make the decision if the horse should be breeding.....I am sorry if this sounds overly harsh but as a stallion owner and a mother of 5 children I find it a ridiculous question. Many pony stallions compete with junior riders and do so safely...but they are under the care of very knowledeable adults, who have very well behaved -well handled senior stallions. Stallions are unpredictable and most eleven year olds have the attention span of a sparrow! Sorry...dont want any hurt children....Kim
I totally disagree. Not ANYONE can own a stallion. It takes a lot of work,and knowledge. Not Everyone has that. YOU seem too. I have a boarding facility and I get people coming to be all time stallions. I never say no but I want to interview them. I have to tell you 9 out of 10 have no clue, i.e bought it for their 5 year old, would like to breed, had horse before but doesn't know how to lunge or put a halter on...< I will come out twice a week. Well I am not going to handle someone elses stallion that chooses to come out once a week.
Stallions CAN be very dangerous. As a barn owner your insurance company would hike your rates if they know you are boarding a stallion.
My stallion is wonderful. He shows in the A circuit my 16 year old walks him around etc.. Height does matter if he is 17.2 hands and you are 4ft tall there is not going to be much respect. I can ride him with a snaffle or a halter, and if a mare comes in heat when I am on him> he will nicker and then I growl at him and he walks away. If I am on the ground it's a little different.
I guess my concern would be how an 11 year old could make a reasonible decision of a bad situation. Talking to a friend and letting a mare to close to a stallion... one those hormones start pumping would they beable to handle them. I know my daughter would of at that age but would I want her to! NO! If a horse get's loose and runs up to your stallion would they be prepared to handle the situation?
I have people walk up to my stallion because 98% of the time they think he's a gelding and kiss him in the face etc..
Accidents do happen but you can also try to control a lot of them. There are people ready to gett married at 19 and some not until 30 some graduate school at 15 most not until 19. Some people can drive a fast car and be ok, A lot crash.
If you have no doubts of the protection of your stallion, child and the public then go ahead, but you doubt anything don't. If it's a stallion the court will find you liable in ANY situation.
I personally would NEVER let anyone under the age of 18 handle My stallion or agree with any one that would allow this. My stallion is calm and my children 3 and 5 will help me groom him while he is on the cross ties. (with out any other horses in the barn. But the are not allowed in the stall what so ever.
A stallion can change instantly expecially when he sees a mare or just gets the smell of one.
Danielle Posted From: 152.163.253.66
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 02:22 am:
I have been handling stallions since I was 16. I am now 31. I have learned that colts need to learn from day one that they are "just a horse".I don't treat them any diferent than my mares. As long as her colt is being taught respect and is handled with the respect all of these 1300 lb animals deserve she should be fine.
I am an undergraduate student and was interested in some of your comments. I am 18 years old, a mere 4'10" tall (95lbs soaking wet with clothes on ), and I have never handled a stallion.
I think that for someone like me, and probably many others out there, that learning to handle a stallion in a supervised learning environment is the best way to learn, espeically to learn what NOT to do. If you have the funds (I'm paying $1300 for three intensive days), go for it. I am attending "Stallion Breeding Management" and "Just Stallion Handling" (two days of just learning to handle stallions, yea!!). Many other places have similar programs, feel free to email me if you'd like to hear what I know. Maybe I'll even see one of you at Upenn?!
I have also applied for a summer 2004 internship at Hilltop Farm (http://hilltopfarminc.com/) in their breeding lab, where I will hopefully put some of my to-be-acquired knowledge to good use. I hope to do this (at other farms, too) for the next few summers. I'm very goal-oriented, LOVE breeding and its technical side, and I am doing everything I can to establish good relations/contacts, get hands-on experience, etc. I am even transferring to a different college that breeds horses on-campus (AND it's only 6 minutes from my house).
Being as petite as I am, I'm rather glad that I'm opting to breed sport ponies for dressage! I also hear that many pony stallions are very well-behaved. But, I do realize that handling a 17.3h stallion might be a bit too much for me, although I will most likely have clients that need a stallion of that size collected, and *hopefully* I'll have a great team to help out in those cases.
Anyway, I could talk forever (this is my DREAM and my career here). So, take care!!
I have added a weanling to my 2 gelding herd and the herd leader has accepted the new colt but my other gelding has been quite aggressive. What is the best way to manage the aggressive gelding's behavior while transitioning the new colt?
I have two questions, I purchased a paint for relatively cheap, and am finding out why, he is a major biter, sloammed his previous owner up against the barn before etc. I am convinced he is changeable, am I crazy?? We have an appointment to Geld him this week but i have friends who tell me this may not work....all my friends have advise on what to do to stop the behavior from saying fooey, to smacking him on the head to always giving him food so he will associate me with pleasantries...he associates me with food now and tries to run me over in his excited rush to eat what I have. He seems very personalbe, he goes toward people, and whinnies when we leave him, but he constantly biting. I put a chain across his halter and he paws and half raises his feet up. He is a 2yr old stallion...what should I do.. My second is that I want to ride him someday too, he tolerates bit, the blanket, ive yet to progress to the saddle yet. He is the first horse we have ever owned and sometimes we woner what we've gotten ourselves into!! HELP!!
I am sure you have heard just about everything, but here goes....
first of all (what we would do) if he bites you, pop him in the mouth and say no louly and sternly as soon as he bites at you. you have to be quick or he will not know why you hit him.
Second thing I have heard about is...get a pin cushion (like the kind sewers use) they usually have a velcro thing on them that will attach to your wrist.. Put some pins in it that stick out a little (sharp end out) and when he tries to bite you move your hand and the pin cushion to where he tries to bite and he will hurt himself.. If he hurts himself the more likely it is he will not do it again.
If he has already gotten the habit of pushing his owners around he will most likely try this with you also...gelding may not work since he is already 2.
He may be more trouble than what you have in him. whatever you do will take patience. you don't have to be mean to him, just be strong.. also don't feed him out of your hand until you get the biteing thing fixed. it will only make it worse..
Do all your ground work and get him the way you want him...If he keeps it up, you may have to send him to someone who is more experienced with stallions.
Geld him, and don't look back. Next step is to find someone with experience who can help guide you in handling him. A rank 2 yr. old stallion is a hard way to learn about horses. While this colt may indeed be reformable (and probably is), you may want to reconsider this animal as your first horse. Not that he won't be great, but he is green, and you are just learning. It may be in your best interest to find a seasoned trail horse that has "been there, done that" so that you can learn on a dependable mount, in a safe environment. In closing, young horses can be great fun to work with, and seeing the results of your efforts is very rewarding. I have also been pawed in the face by weanlings, in the collar bone by a stallion, kicked by yearlings, and thrown by many a 2 yr. olds. This is a risk when working with them....but is not for the faint of heart (or body). If you keep him, find a knowledgable individual who can assist you and your horse.
Yes, geld him! Get a referral for a good humane trainer.
Only feed him in his feeder after you put him in his stall not before. Don't put goodies in there before cuz he is a smarty and he will figure out and rush and push you around. Nothing, nothing fed out of your hand. Only a bucket. But no bucket till he learns some ground manners.
You need to become Alpha horse now.
I would wear a helmet while working with him until he learns ground manners. I would carry a crop and begin teaching him ground manners. Not to hit him but to help establish acceptable space.
Be totally focused on him when you have him out. No distractions.
Watch his body language, he starts to get irritated make him work. Even if it is lungeing around on a lead rope. He will soon learn if he behaves he doesn't have to work.
Round pen work. Lot's of it. It will build your confidence and his respect in a pretty safe enviroment.
Educate yourself, ask lots of questions, and if you feel you or the horse is in danger do the right thing and rehome him. The challange, if you are up to it, could be the best learning experience but your safety and health are paramount.
Good luck and keep us posted to how things are going.
Rhonda I would not geld him... my 2 1/2 yr old was pretty bad at biting and getting in your space but he is doing lots better. The key is to be consistant. Carry a dressage whip with you (thats what I use) and smack him across the ankles anytime he bites you or gets in your space, but at the same time use another cue he can learn, like getting in your space put your arm up and say stop, when he he enters your space smack his ankles. go into his stall at times just to do this. Go in and give him the chance to act up, then correct it, when he stops at your cue then praise him. try not to do much hitting him on his face, you dont want him head shy. But I would not geld him unless thats what you really wanted to do. working with his problem areas will just make you a better horseman/person.
Rhonda, Gelding him is a great start. You dont want a stallion as a beginner and it doesn't sound like you bought him for breeding purposes. Then i would follow Jan's instructions above ... it will take a while for his hormones to settle down and jan has suggested some good training methods that are easy to use and keep you at a relative safe distance. If you are going to carry a whip (which i think you should) make sure it is a lunging whip, anything smaller will put you to close to him if he lashes back out at you.i wouldnt suggest hitting him on the legs, it could cause more training problems as well as farrering problems. Keep his smacks to his fleshy areas accross the rump or on the chest/shoulder area. If you are persistant and have him gelded he will give up is naughty ways. Keep him entire and you may have a battle on your hands for some time. Stallions are not for the inexperianced.
Hi there, I have been reading the posts here, and just wanted to add my two cents worth. I have been a horse owner for the past 11 years. I learned horse handling with a proud cut gelding who was a monster when I bought him. He and I went to a Parelli trainer and he became a gentleman...however he was 10 years old and dead broke, so a pleasure to ride after he got some respect. He taught me about trail riding and took really good care of me out there. Then I rescued a anglo arab mare who had been badly abused. She also went to a trainer, but could never overcome her fear enough to be a trail horse, she is now a broodmare (luckily she has fabulous conformation and is very sweet). Now I have a 4 year old stallion. He has been with a professional trainer (dressage) since age 18 months. He is a calm tempered easy to handle boy, but has had to learn manners in a very strict way. He is never fed by hand, he is not allowed to nuzzle me, he is not allowed to get in my space, etc. I am now at the point that I want to ride him on the trail with other horses. He has been in the arena with other horses while trainer is warming him up, and knows that he is not allowed to call, drop, etc in this situation. My question is whether this will translate to trail riding. Does anyone have any suggestions that might help keep him from being aggressive or studly toward other horses while trail riding? I am an advanced beginner rider but have only gone trail riding with very experienced people and the above mentioned gelding. For Rhonda above, stallions are very different to handle as they are willing to push it to be dominant. Mine had to go to boot camp with a trainer who handles alot of stallions and could teach him the rules. Then she had to teach me...which was probably harder. With stallions, you can't get lax or let them get away with anything disrespectful, ever. They test you each time you handle them and they are unpredictable so you have to be very vigilant. One last comment, it is not worth standing a stallion unless you are really committed to promoting the stallion in the show ring. Stallion breeding is very competitive, it is very expensive and time consuming to promote them, and what you get in stud fees will not even cover it. Further, it is not a good idea to breed any horse unless they are outstanding in conformation and temperament. If breeding a stallion is not a commitment to a business for you, geld him and save yourself all of the headaches of owning a stallion. Gelding will help him calm down, but all horses need training to understand how to be around humans. Train yourself with a good trainer who also trains your horse.
Two questions for you Jayme, does he live cover mares, and does he do what you tell him? If he live covers mares having a pretty little filly swishing her tail right in front of him might be a problem, but if will listen to you through he hormones, you should be able to control him any way. We ride my stallion in mixed company quite often and he seems to have figured out that saddled horses aren’t for breeding, but he will try to tease any thing tied to a fence with out a saddle on if you don’t get after him for it, gelding and mare alike. He lives next to my two most studly geldings and they make ugly faces at each other over the fence all day long during breeding season, but you can ride them out in the hills together, and they don’t miss behave any more than any other bunch of horses. I would start him out on short rides with him leading, with just geldings to begin with. This should minimize the amount of stimuli he has to ignore from other horses. I would also break him to hobble or picket very well if you are planning on doing any overnight or long stops. You might not have any mares in heat with you, but that doesn’t mean the folks couple miles up the trail don’t. My stud gets hobbled when tied to the trailer at ther rodeos to slow him down, just in case he decides that he needs to do something stupid. I don’t think that he will of course, but I don’t know that he won’t.
Megan, thanks for your reply. My stallion has never done live cover (and never will) as he is very rare and I am afraid of him getting kicked. I had an interesting experience yesterday. I took him to his dressage lesson, he did his lesson time in the arena alone. Then I asked trainer if she would teach her next lessons while on his back. She then taught 3 lessons while on him, two geldings and then a mare. She deliberately made him get close to them to see what he would do...and on a loose rein. One time, with a huge gelding (17.2 hand hanovarian with my boy being a 14.2 cheval canadien), my boy kind of nickered at him. He was corrected for this lightly, and that was it. He was a perfect gentleman, was interested in what the other horses were doing, but never acted up. He has been trained that he is not allowed to "talk" or drop when he is in a bridle or saddle. He even has separate halters for breeding and for other uses, so I guess his training is working. I will attempt a short trail ride with a gelding, my guy in front as you suggest. Will also take your suggestion about hobbles. My boy has been to several shows, even trailered with mares, and he has done fine. Only time he acted up was when a mare literally started to chase and bite him. I am also a little nervous as he has never been on a trail before. He is however, very "draft" tempered and not ruffled by anything much, so he should be fine. At least he is little so if I do come off, it isn't very far to the ground hahaha. Thanks again, Jayme PS another rider yesterday told me that an old racetrack trick is to put vicks in the nostrils of a stallion so they can't smell the in heat mares...might try that too.
Hmmmm my last post dissapeared/?? Jayme your approach to breeding sounds like the same as mine will be... I don't have my stallion home yet but baring a vet check and price neg. he will be soon enough. He has never bred, and won't ever do live cover or even be collected on my property. He has been shown extensively for the past year and has the typical freisian disposition however I am a little nervous about introducing him to the trail, something that i throughly enjoy. Unfortunatly I have farther to fall, 17.2hh!!!! Please post on how your trail rides go and any advice you can share would be great. I know he'll settle in fine at the stable but that first trail ride will be interesting. My dream is to have a great all round horse, one that can show, and hack out. Breeding will be a bonus but AI only. Is collecting 2 - 4x year to little or should I expect to do more? I know it depends on how many mares but i only plan to cover 5 mares the first year. thanks and good luck! moya
I am in the process of getting a 12 year ( about to be 13 yr. old) saddlebred Stallion, I am strong but I have never dealt with a stallion before, I know I can more then likely hold him back, but I need a few pointers.
I would recommend getting some hands-on instruction from a person that is both good and experienced (and they do not always go together!!! ) at handling stallions. It is not something that you are going to be able to learn from a book or a bulletin board.
I know each stallion is different and that ours was truly an exception; however Stallions are not impossible to handle mean creatures as some like to make them out to be. My advice starts with round penning get his respect and if you get a trainer (which I recomend) work with him and your horse, dont just send your stallion off to the trainer. If you dont know what works for/with him he'll seem very umanagable to you. If he respects you and you have a bond you wont have a problem holding him back any more so than you would a gelding. We had a TB Stallion that both AI and live covered. He even had select heard he pasture bred. I was little (6) when we purchased him and could do anything with him. Even in the pasture with hot mares. More than once I could be found sitting under him while the mares threw temper tantrums with eachother. He would stand over me and at times push me down to keep me safe. Just my expierence. They can be kind gentle horses and not hormonal basketcases with no respect or reguard for people.
Well the only stallion experience I have had is with miniatures. And I will tell you they may be little buggers but they sometimes are a handful to handle. Yes THERE ARE NICE STALLIONS OUT THERE but a stallion is a stallion is a stallion is a stallion. There is no question about that. If you are 11 and growing one up yourself..... Probably not. Because they grow up real big real fast, And if they are not handled daily and managed, they will walk all over you. Not saying that there arent exceptions, But also take into consideration what would you do with this horse would he show? Do you have enough funds to keep him in good shape and take him to the top?? Would you have enough funds to do all the things breeding stallions need to have done?? example: Stallion collection, shipping, fertility, and the list goes on. So mabey when you are ready to open up your breeding farm you can have a stallion,hey have as many as you want. But as anyone in the horse industry will tell you stallions are not to be taken lightly.
Lisa - I do agree with you 100% A stallion does have to be managed and they arent to be taken lightly at all. A horse is a lot of muscle that can be quite dangerous if out of control or disrespectful. I simply wanted to share a good story since there seems to be so few.
He was purchased off a TB farm in southern MS. His registered name was Prince Love A Lot. He is now deseased i'm sure as he would be about 30ish now. He was very beautiful in both conformation and tempermant.
I purcharsed a 2 yr old colt that had been placed in a pasture with a gelding for a year with no people interaction. You could not touch him, period. Hoofs hadn't been done, nothing... There wasn't anywhere that you could touch him without his going balistic. I worked everyday with him, after work, building trust. After 6 weeks, I could pick up all 4 feet and had the farrier trim his hoofs. I am a firm believer in not hitting an anaimal. It only teaches them mistrust. Dude was mouthy in the begining. All I would do, was pull down on the lead rope connected to his halter and tell him no. He stopped trying to bite. When he reared, I did the same thing. It is all re-enforcement training. I had him cut, as I didn't want him to breed my Midnight Sun mare. Dude is 16 hands and a little over 2 1/2 and I had him cut 2 weeks before I took him out on the trails. He has a very good head and once the trust was established, there really isn't anything I can't do with him. My farrier still talks about how wild he was when I bought him. He is still learning, which will take time; but I couldn't ask for a better "colt." Bottom line, don't hit them in the face, it will make them "head shy." You want the trust factor, especially with a young horse and a stallion.
Stallions, like all horses, are never "completely trained"... . that is, everytime he is ridden or handled he is being trained for better or worse.
The person handling them needs to be able to be CONSISTANT in reinforcing good behavior, and recognizing/discouraging bad behavior IN IT'S EARLIEST AND MOST INNOCENT SEEMING FORMS.
I have seen some adults I would not trust to handle a 20 year old gelding, and a few kids , 11-16 that are mature and knowledgable enough to handle a stallion if carefully monitored and in situations where there are not distractions for the horse.
The crux of the matter is that ANY stallion has the potential to revert from a sweet and docile animal to dangerous and unpredictable, and it can happen in the blink of an eye and for no apparent reason.. and is a minor child entitled to make that decison for themself?
I have to say that I have changed my mind over the last few years with this issue. I myself used to handle a TB stallion when I was 13. I rode him, cleaned his stall, turned him out, groomed him etc. I never dealt with him in a breeding situation or when he was around mares in general. I used to think that as long as the child was constantly monitored and working with a trainer it was ok for them to handle a stallion, I mean I did it just fine! Now, after raising and owning a stallion for the last 5 years I think differently. My stud is an absolute doll, VERY well behaved. He listens and has been handled extensively. He shares a fence line with mares and has even trailered with a mare right next to him, no problems. Now, with that said, I would NOT let anyone under 18 handle him. The reason why I say this is because he constantly tests me, whether it's nipping at his lead rope or walking a little fast towards the pasture or just giving me overly aggressive kisses Like Charla stated, probably just not worth the risk. Even if the child didn't get hurt your stallion could potentially hurt himself and both are not worth it.
Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - 12:00 am:
Meagan All I am going to say is read 'Attacked By A Stallion - Now What?' Would you want your 11 yr old in that situation?
Diana Gilger Senior Stallion or Mare Username: Kdgilger
Post Number: 3645 Registered: 01-2008
Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - 10:39 am:
Since that message was 9 yrs ago, I'm gonna bet Megan doesn't get your answer. Hopefully nothing ever came from it. Megan, you still around to update on this?
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), and I have never handled a stallion. 
