Owning a stallion vs gelding late...

blitznbobs

blitznbobs

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I'm looking for a cob - hairy variety and although I've been looking for some time haven't found the right horse yet... I keep pouring over adverts seeing something I like, and finding it's a stallion. I've never considered owning a stallion before -- I guess as I was growing up they were a no go area as far as my parents were concerned and that was that. But I'm now a fully grown adult (I think) and don't have to listen to mummy any more!

I have ridden and handled stallions but only on a very ad hoc basis -- so my question to those who own them is -- what's the difference? I mean I know what the difference is but in practical terms what do you differently? (We do have a mare on the yard where he'd be kept but we've had people with stallions on the yard before... we have individual turnout with eleccy fencing in between)

Also if you geld late, does the horse still behave as a stallion??

Thanks

Blitz
 
My horse was gelded at 4, and has covered, but he doesn't act like a stallion now. I'd probably geld the horse if he's not going to be used responsibly for breeding. At most yards stallions won't get turnout in company, and some need extremely good fencing between them and mares. Also, if you have to move, you may have problems finding another place to keep him.
 
My friend has a beautiful black huge warmblood that was gelded at 6 and had covered a handful of mare's, he is not stallionish at all has the most lovely nature and is a real dope on a rope, (until he is ridden then he really struts he's stuff) but is so easy, i'm 5ft 1in and have handled and ridden him with no trouble he is 17hh
 
My boy was gelded quite late - the hairy cob in my sig. He does have his prima donna moments, definitely when girlies in season are around, he does prance and mince about, and he's head of the herd (made up of 17 hh eventers etc).

But I wouldn't change him for anything, I love that spark in him. If you aren't going to breed, gelding may be an option. For me it was essential to get him onto a livery yard :D

sm x
 
We have one that was gelded late and had covered. We had horrendous problems with him before he was gelded and they continued after, but if I am honest I really believe this was due to our inexperience with stallions. We had to send him to a Monty Roberts RA to get him sorted so that we could handle him, he still has his moments but they are usually when he is protecting his herd.

We have 3 colts, 2 that we bought when we had our own land as show ponies and that we were hoping to keep entire so that my daughter could show them under saddle, and one that was bought at auction as a 2yo gelding but turned out to be a yearling colt! We are now back on a livery yard and I can only say that colts and livery yards don't mix! They constantly cause ill feeling and resentment and if you find one that will take one now but have to move then you probably will have problems finding somewhere. They will all be getting cut in the autumn just to stop the problems.
 
I've just had my 5 year old cob gelded so I'll let you know how his behaviour changes, although to be honest he wasn't very stalliony probably as he had lived on his own for about three years.

Keeping a stallion in a livery yard is not easy. Most yards aren't set up for them and if ever there is a problem your stallion will be blamed!

Many years ago I had a Welsh Cob stallion, I was very lucky as he had the lovliest nature. Even though he had been used quite a lot for breeding before I got him he was very good with other horses to the extent that I could turn him out with geldings and he would travel in a trailer with a mare, although obviously not when she was in season.

I had him at home to start with and then was very fortunate to be able to move him to a local livery yard where they already had a couple of stallions so weren't fazed by them. My boys box was part of the main yard so he always had horses coming past his box and never minded at all. The only time he got a little upset was when one of the more numpty liverys tied her in season mare up outside his box.

I did quite alot of competing with him too and remember one time at a show he was walking quietly past a horse who promptly turned round and kicked him. Turned out it was an ex brood mare who obviously didn't fancy him! He was very put out as he hadn't even given her the equine equivalent of a wolf whistle.

I did consider keeping Archie entire but I don't know of any yards near me who would have accepted him at livery. It can be a very lonely life for a stallion and I just felt it was kinder to him in the long run to have him gelded.
 
Stallions can be a royal pain in the butt. Note that I say can because they are all individuals and must be treated as such, some are total dopes on ropes.

My personal thoughts based on my experience at stud and racing yards, I do have a stallion and have ridden them for years.

They can be hormonal (to be expected)

They do require secure paddocks and can't readily be mixed with other horses.

You have to be aware of their every thought, when riding you have to watch out for other people.

The thing that worries me most is what if you fall off and let go, he can go rape and pillage and you are going to be liable.

Unless you are intending to breed or are experienced and have a suitable set up, then a stallion makes a much better and happier gelding.
 
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