Stallion owners - keeping mares & stallion apart with electric fencing

Perissa

Perissa

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Does anyone keep their stallion in the same field as mares seperated only by electric fencing?

I am toying with the idea of moving my miniature stallion into the same field as my two shetland mares as there is better grass in there (he could do with it). I use 4 strands and sofar he's had great respect for electric fencing after getting a good zap when I first got him. My girls certainly don't go near it either and there would be approx 25 feet nomansland between them.
 
I wouldn't risk it. Mine hate electric fence but they can tell when its off or not working! If there is a problem with it then all that stands between them is that rope. Plus like smerls said one escape artist is all it takes! And with the temptation of the mares the other side of that fence any stallion would want to escape at some point!
 
I wouldn't really wouldn't, the YO did this had her spotted stallion on one side of the fence and a mare and gelding on the other side (it was a pig netting fence with barbed wire on the top) they got in together and this injury was the result on the gelding, the mare was hurt as well but not nearlly as bad(this is about two weeks after it happened and around 20 stiches later, when it first happened you could see the tendon and the bone) The stallion also had a nasty cut, on his hock again that leaked joint fluid.
smartiesleg2.jpg
Sorry it's so big and a bit graphic but it really wans't nice!
 
No way!

Theres no way a stallion will take any notice of a few strands of electric fencing if he gets it into his head to visit the ladies.
 
I agree with everyone else and think you would be asking for trouble.... it may not happen straight away, and things could go along well for a few months, then when you become a little too complacent with things, incidents happen!
 
No, don't even try it.
In twentyfive years of keeping stallions I have tried most methods, and that one won't work. If your fence fails he will go through it.
You can keep a stallion in a field next to mares provided it has a stout fence and a wide one such as a hedge, we did that and fenced off the gateways on both side with tape so no toucking could happen..
You can keep them with geldings the other side but you risk them getting together and attacking the geldings. (yes I tried that one).
You either need post and rail with electrified wire along the top or substantial fencing, once they are in foal you can graze them all together with no problem, but until then you risk your stallion getting cut to bits by the tape.. (usually happens when they get two legs over and run along, it's like razor wire then)
I should say our old stallion stayed in his field with just one piece of tape accross the gate; but he had plenty of zaps to remind him if he ever touched it, he used to snake his head at in in fury!
 
To be honest I just don't think I would ever really be comfortable with the idea. His previous owner has just told me that he used to jump it!!! I didn't know that - although my fencing is 5ft high to stop my gelding leaning on it (it is on by the way!!!). He's never been near a mare and I think my girls would make mincemeat out of him.

Jen, that looks awful - hope he went on to make a full recovery
 
I paint a white line on the grass, and tell them not to cross. It works really well, does needed to be repainted every 6 weeks or so.
 
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