Hypothetical question about stallions...

khalswitz

khalswitz

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Ok, so whilst I love my TB types, I have always loved Highland ponies. I spent several years riding and competing in ridden and inhand classes for a local stud, and used to break their young stock for them as well - they are such fun ponies. Ever since I started doing that, I've had this fancy to, one day, get a really nice Highland stallion, and do the inhand and ridden showing, maybe some dressage, and obviously stand him for stud. However, currently my stallion experience is limited to the rather sweet and older stallion that was at stud at the place I used to work, colts prior to gelding as yearlings/2 yos, and the ones I meet in my current line of work, but I don't handle these in an on-going way.

If I were thinking of one day going down that route, what would you recommend? Obviously I would go and get myself a lot more hands on experience handling stallions etc, and their management. I have experience of the breed etc and have a friend whose stock wins a lot who would be able to help me with lines etc. This is obviously all hypothetical and well in the future, but I like to consider things properly - and Highland pony breeding is something I would love to go back to and do myself one day.

Any advice on the things to do/learn/consider?

Sorry for the slight randomness of the thread, this is what happens when I have too much free time... ;)
 
Personally if I was heading down that route I would look for a really nice mannered stallion who already had his ground rules in place for a first off. Secondly you need to have suitable facilities that you own or are in permanent possession of so you do not have to rely on livery as that is pretty difficult if not impossible. Thirdly he has to already be a winner so wont be cheap. And of course he needs similar company in the shape of mares you want to breed from or if he will tolerate him a gelding with the same management needs.
I wouldnt do it but if you are determined please do it properly so he can live a good full life with all his welfare needs met so free ranging with company, good food and health checks and kept to the highest of standards. Shutting him in a stable 24/7 with no contact with others fattening like a beef steer or allowing him to be a nuisance to others are not options with a stallion as people are very quick to condemn. These things shouldnt happen to any horse but corret management is even more imperative for a stallion as these needs are often forgotten in the "My horse is a stallion" way
I love Highlands and have met many a wonderful stallion and they are breed that lends itself to amateur ownership due to their in general wonderful temperaments. Once your are established with an older boy you could of course bring on one of his sons as a replacement as you will then know exactly what is involved
But unless you are totally committed to the project and are completely aware of the draw backs and are a good judge of the quality of your stallion and any visiting mares Please dont do it
 
There was a workshop/seminar on breeding organized by SEBA (Scottish Equine Breeders Association) a few years ago now (2006?) which would have been ideal for someone in your position. It covered a lot of ground - stallions, mares, foaling, AI, veterinary & business topics. It would be worth attending an event like that if it ever was held again.

A couple of UK AI companies hold courses/lectures, I believe. I'm not aware of any specifically about stallion handling in the UK though (comparable to the Equine Short Course held at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center every year).
 
If you take on a stallion, make sure you have a set up where he is allowed to be a horse. You see no end of stallions kept apart from other horses, with no stimulation, exercise or company - then people wonder why they're nutters.

Mine aren't used for breeding, but because they're kept out as a herd with other stallions and geldings, they're quiet childrens' ponies.
 
windand rain said:
Personally if I was heading down that route I would look for a really nice mannered stallion who already had his ground rules in place for a first off. Secondly you need to have suitable facilities that you own or are in permanent possession of so you do not have to rely on livery as that is pretty difficult if not impossible. Thirdly he has to already be a winner so wont be cheap. And of course he needs similar company in the shape of mares you want to breed from or if he will tolerate him a gelding with the same management needs.
I wouldnt do it but if you are determined please do it properly so he can live a good full life with all his welfare needs met so free ranging with company, good food and health checks and kept to the highest of standards. Shutting him in a stable 24/7 with no contact with others fattening like a beef steer or allowing him to be a nuisance to others are not options with a stallion as people are very quick to condemn. These things shouldnt happen to any horse but corret management is even more imperative for a stallion as these needs are often forgotten in the "My horse is a stallion" way
I love Highlands and have met many a wonderful stallion and they are breed that lends itself to amateur ownership due to their in general wonderful temperaments. Once your are established with an older boy you could of course bring on one of his sons as a replacement as you will then know exactly what is involved
But unless you are totally committed to the project and are completely aware of the draw backs and are a good judge of the quality of your stallion and any visiting mares Please dont do it
Click to expand...

I was going to say all this
 
Thanks for all the feedback!! Don't worry, it's not something I would do lightly, and personally I like all my horses living out and the stallion I did work with lived out, so that would be the way I would aim to keep him. I know myself that unless he was well mannered and had a nice character he wouldn't be for me - I wouldn't have a mare or gelding that was aggressive so I wouldn't have a stallion like that!

I would also be looking to spend the money to get a good one, I don't believe in breeding from mediocre stallions. Hence why it's plans for the long term!! But I agree an older boy who knows how things work would be the way to start. It's certainly not something I'd rush into - he would have to be a good example as well as a nice character, and I need to get a lot more experience under my belt first before I'd even consider it.
It is a dream, but I wouldn't do it if everything wasn't right, don't worry. I was just after some things to think about and things to be aware of. So thank you.
And thanks fburton, will look into those.
 
After taking my mares to various stallions and having two seasons with them running with an infertile stallion, I decided I'd better bite the bullet and get my own.

I found a 4yo colt I liked the look of, took extensive advice, then phoned the owner to make the deal. Even though he'd been advertised for quite a while, the owner told me he'd just been sold within the previous few days. He has since gone on to have an outstanding career, so at least I knew my judgement was not far out!

Then I looked at the for sales lists again and noticed that his father was still for sale but at a reduced price. This time I consulted no one and went ahead with the purchase!

Years ago, Highland stallions used to be "travelled" between farms. They had to be quiet enough to be led or ridden between farms so that they could be used on mares without the owners having to go to the expense of owning their own stallions. The then Department of Agriculture of Scotland kept their own stud with stallions that were leased out for this purpose. I actually went to their last sale but at that time I was in no position to own a Highland, let alone a stallion.

My stallion was bred and trained by one of the top names in the Highland pony world and his purchase was one of the better things I have done in my life. His showing career was ended here a couple of years ago when he was Champion Ridden Highland at the local county show. Now his matrimonial duties take priority but he is making an excellent job of educating his colts who are proving to be just as laid back and easy going as he is.

If you can get as much fun out of owning a Highland stallion as I have done, I would say 'go ahead' and don't hesitate. I had all the warnings about how dangerous stallions can be from the prophets of doom but went ahead anyway. I have not regretted it for one moment.

joeatshow2.jpg


Josethdene2-1.jpg
 
Dry Rot said:
After taking my mares to various stallions and having two seasons with them running with an infertile stallion, I decided I'd better bite the bullet and get my own.

I found a 4yo colt I liked the look of, took extensive advice, then phoned the owner to make the deal. Even though he'd been advertised for quite a while, the owner told me he'd just been sold within the previous few days. He has since gone on to have an outstanding career, so at least I knew my judgement was not far out!

Then I looked at the for sales lists again and noticed that his father was still for sale but at a reduced price. This time I consulted no one and went ahead with the purchase!

Years ago, Highland stallions used to be "travelled" between farms. They had to be quiet enough to be led or ridden between farms so that they could be used on mares without the owners having to go to the expense of owning their own stallions. The then Department of Agriculture of Scotland kept their own stud with stallions that were leased out for this purpose. I actually went to their last sale but at that time I was in no position to own a Highland, let alone a stallion.

My stallion was bred and trained by one of the top names in the Highland pony world and his purchase was one of the better things I have done in my life. His showing career was ended here a couple of years ago when he was Champion Ridden Highland at the local county show. Now his matrimonial duties take priority but he is making an excellent job of educating his colts who are proving to be just as laid back and easy going as he is.

If you can get as much fun out of owning a Highland stallion as I have done, I would say 'go ahead' and don't hesitate. I had all the warnings about how dangerous stallions can be from the prophets of doom but went ahead anyway. I have not regretted it for one moment.

joeatshow2.jpg


Josethdene2-1.jpg
Click to expand...

He is gorgeous!! So glad to hear you've had such a great experience. Part of what I love about Highlands is that they take no nonsense, but are generally so down to earth.

We are in Highland pony country up here in North East Scotland, just along from the Queen's stud at Balmoral, and have been to five or so years worth of the Breed Show, NESHPES shows, Blair and the Royal Highland with my friends who are very into Highlands (one very successful at the Breed Show, the Highland, and Blair the last few years and who judges regularly) so am starting to get my eye in.

Like I said its not something I would rush into and I'm thinking well in the future, but it's great to hear you've had such a good time with your boy!! :)
 
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