SarahNZ
Well-Known Member
Anyone with a stallion out there I'd love to hear about his daily routine. Does he have pasture time? Any behavioural problems you have to deal with?
Our boy arrives tonight!
Our boy arrives tonight!
Young stallions - routine and management
- Thread starter SarahNZ
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Tia
Well-Known Member
My stallion lives out 24/7 in a 10 acre field along with some mares. One of the mare's is infertile so he stays with her most of the year and then when his other mare friends come into season they are shipped out to a further field until they are finished, then they are put back in with him until their next heat. When the mares are moved out for those days, I have a couple of little geldings who don't mind him, so they go in and keep him company.
Right now, he has covered one of my mares who is due to foal in a couple of months and I believe, although this hasn't been confirmed yet, that he also covered another late in the season. He is living with these two mares full time at present. One of the pregnant mares is his pair-bond so she is always kept closeby him.
My big geldings seem to get on fine with my stallion so long as they are on the other side of the post and rail fencing......however I once put him in with them and they almost killed him, so I would never allow him to run with them again.
My stallion is totally non-aggressive to either people or other animals. Even when he covers the mares, he is incredibly gentle and never arrogant or forceful - he just bides his time, following the mares around until they let him know that they are ready. He is perfect to lead out in a halter and has impeccable manners......however I have owned him since he was 9 months old and this really does make a huge difference in how you teach them what is acceptable and what is not.
The routine of your stallion completely depends on the manner in which he has been brought up so far. If he has been kept in a pen or stable well away from other horses and is not properly socialised, they you couldn't expect him to cope with my style of stallion-keeping.
It also makes a difference depending on whether you choose to pasture breed or in-hand or indeed take AI semen from him. I pasture breed.
I think the best thing to do is to ask as many questions as you can think of to ask his previous owners and make your decisions based on their answers.
Right now, he has covered one of my mares who is due to foal in a couple of months and I believe, although this hasn't been confirmed yet, that he also covered another late in the season. He is living with these two mares full time at present. One of the pregnant mares is his pair-bond so she is always kept closeby him.
My big geldings seem to get on fine with my stallion so long as they are on the other side of the post and rail fencing......however I once put him in with them and they almost killed him, so I would never allow him to run with them again.
My stallion is totally non-aggressive to either people or other animals. Even when he covers the mares, he is incredibly gentle and never arrogant or forceful - he just bides his time, following the mares around until they let him know that they are ready. He is perfect to lead out in a halter and has impeccable manners......however I have owned him since he was 9 months old and this really does make a huge difference in how you teach them what is acceptable and what is not.
The routine of your stallion completely depends on the manner in which he has been brought up so far. If he has been kept in a pen or stable well away from other horses and is not properly socialised, they you couldn't expect him to cope with my style of stallion-keeping.
It also makes a difference depending on whether you choose to pasture breed or in-hand or indeed take AI semen from him. I pasture breed.
I think the best thing to do is to ask as many questions as you can think of to ask his previous owners and make your decisions based on their answers.
kildalton
Well-Known Member
A NF stallion I know runs with mares, and his owner uses him for his job (he's a shepherd). He's got absolutely perfect manners around horses and people, but his owner has set very clear boundaries which he's not allowed to cross. He's a stunning pony too.
Tia
Well-Known Member
I honestly think you have to be like that with stallions. I never ever let my boy away with anything, although he has never been hit, just told off. These can be exactly the same things as my geldings or mares may do and I will not tell them off, but with him, he needs to be perfectly behaved at all times. This is what I demand from him.
I personally never play with my stallion, I never kiss or touch his muzzle although I will give him cuddles around the neck. I do play, cuddle and kiss all of my other horses though.
He is a very affectionate horse and I do reciprocate my affection for him, just not in the same way as I do for the others. He knows no different so doesn't affect him.
I personally never play with my stallion, I never kiss or touch his muzzle although I will give him cuddles around the neck. I do play, cuddle and kiss all of my other horses though.
He is a very affectionate horse and I do reciprocate my affection for him, just not in the same way as I do for the others. He knows no different so doesn't affect him.
kildalton
Well-Known Member
I think it's very important that stallions respect your space, or you're asking for trouble, even more so than with mares or geldings. The only ones I've dealt with in latter years were ex German dressage horses, who were superb, but who spent most of their lives stabled.
leanne123
Well-Known Member
i've got 2 colts who live out 24/7 together they did run as part of a mixed herd until they started trying to mount them, i then moved them to a different field they share with sheep.
both are really good to handle and have had kids around them from day 1.
horses are herd animals so i hate the thinking of them all alone bored to death in a stable.
both are really good to handle and have had kids around them from day 1.
horses are herd animals so i hate the thinking of them all alone bored to death in a stable.
kildalton
Well-Known Member
Yes, I found it upsetting ( they weren't my horses)
cazza
Well-Known Member
Ours goes runs with the mares for about 4 months in the summer and then is put in his own field, where he can see others. through the winter he is in his paddock during the day and in at night. He does occasionally get a bit stroppy and tries to nip you when you lead him in/out so a quick gerk on his lead rope (we use one with chain links on it) and he soon stops the sillyness. Other than that you wouldn't actually know he was a stallion very laid back and you can do practially anything with him. Only word of warning never ever get lulled into a false sence of security with them, ours is good 99% of the time but when he's not in the right frame of mind he's a nightmare. He's treated with respect and a firm hand and responds well to this, you only have to growl at him and he must think Oh [****] over stepped the mark there and then calms down.
Good luck with your new arrival hope all goes well for you, they are very rewarding animals to have around especially if you are going to breed from him as it's nice to see what aspects of them their offsping pick up.
Good luck with your new arrival hope all goes well for you, they are very rewarding animals to have around especially if you are going to breed from him as it's nice to see what aspects of them their offsping pick up.
squid35
Well-Known Member
My boy is kept in the same way as all my others, he is stabled next to my gelding and goes out every day without fail, all day, he is in a field next to a mare (walkway between) amd is an angel, he was a breeding/racing stalliona nd has now settled into a normal life very well!
when ever i can i ride him to and he rides out in all types of company.
when he is naughty he is told off and is praised when he is good. the same as any of my other.
i can honestly say that other than being "aware" he is a stallion he gets treated no differently.
when ever i can i ride him to and he rides out in all types of company.
when he is naughty he is told off and is praised when he is good. the same as any of my other.
i can honestly say that other than being "aware" he is a stallion he gets treated no differently.
SarahNZ
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all of your answers. My boy has been up stabled for alot of the last year, although previous to that spent time in the field with a group of others.
He has settled in very well, good yesterday afternoon, but remarkably today.
Zowie's routine is:
AM - lunged in arena, back to stable, fed
Midday - out to field for several hours alone.
Mid PM - back to stable, fed
PM - fed, grooming etc
He is at a livery yard and the YO is quite worried that he will upset the other horses if he is put out at the same time as them. However when I put him out yesterday he ran around the field non stop (all other horses were taken in) until he could see another horse working in the arena. He then hardly moved five metres while watching the horse and nibbling a bit of grass.
I have convinced YO if we can see for an hour or so if he would be ok with a gelding in the next paddock (I think he will be more than happy and behave ok). The paddock is electric fenced etc.
Ideally I would like to put him out when all the other horses (albeit in a separate paddock) go out in the morning, however there are mares in another paddock and I'm not entirely sure as to how he will react...
Obviously I'd like to keep him as socialised as possible within this environment until we head home to NZ, where I can do things my own way!! LOL!
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
He has settled in very well, good yesterday afternoon, but remarkably today.
Zowie's routine is:
AM - lunged in arena, back to stable, fed
Midday - out to field for several hours alone.
Mid PM - back to stable, fed
PM - fed, grooming etc
He is at a livery yard and the YO is quite worried that he will upset the other horses if he is put out at the same time as them. However when I put him out yesterday he ran around the field non stop (all other horses were taken in) until he could see another horse working in the arena. He then hardly moved five metres while watching the horse and nibbling a bit of grass.
I have convinced YO if we can see for an hour or so if he would be ok with a gelding in the next paddock (I think he will be more than happy and behave ok). The paddock is electric fenced etc.
Ideally I would like to put him out when all the other horses (albeit in a separate paddock) go out in the morning, however there are mares in another paddock and I'm not entirely sure as to how he will react...
Obviously I'd like to keep him as socialised as possible within this environment until we head home to NZ, where I can do things my own way!! LOL!
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
SarahNZ
Well-Known Member
Oh I did also wonder how you keep there attention when other horses are around? Any secrets, tips?
My boy is very well behaved, but he is very nosey!!
My boy is very well behaved, but he is very nosey!!
Tia
Well-Known Member
I'd be careful keeping him in a field right next to a gelding especially if it is only separated by electric. If I was the yard owner I would be wanting post and rail fencing AND electric. It all depends on how well socialised he has been in the past, but stallions cna become quite aggressive with geldings....although on my farm it is the other way around
.
He sounds lovely and hopefully you will have a good time owning him. One thing I thought of though, how are you going to deal with him turnout when breeding season arrives? How many mares is he booked in to cover? And are there facilities at your yard to accommodate this?
He sounds lovely and hopefully you will have a good time owning him. One thing I thought of though, how are you going to deal with him turnout when breeding season arrives? How many mares is he booked in to cover? And are there facilities at your yard to accommodate this?
Tia
Well-Known Member
If he has been brought up correctly then this should not be an issue. He will know the difference between when it is time to concentrate on what you are doing versus "playtime".
teapot
Well-Known Member
All the stallions we've had or have at the yard are out 24/7 including the colts.
And have to say, the one stallion I dealt with - was a perfect gent, don't think I've ever done an easier horse.
They're out in stallion paddocks, 2 of them have 6ft high fencing, and one of them has one of the RS geldings for company.
And have to say, the one stallion I dealt with - was a perfect gent, don't think I've ever done an easier horse.
They're out in stallion paddocks, 2 of them have 6ft high fencing, and one of them has one of the RS geldings for company.
SarahNZ
Well-Known Member
Sorry I should have mentioned that the fences are post and rail, WITH electric.
He will not be serving this Northern Hemisphere season, but will be on returning to NZ's breeding season, which is in September (however that will be done AI).
I would say that he has been fairly well socialised, and for the last year he has been stabled next to a gelding, with no issues whatsoever. Ideally I'd like him to have a grouchy old pregnant mare in with him when he is turned out, but otherwise I'm not too sure!
When exactly does the breeding season start over here?
He will not be serving this Northern Hemisphere season, but will be on returning to NZ's breeding season, which is in September (however that will be done AI).
I would say that he has been fairly well socialised, and for the last year he has been stabled next to a gelding, with no issues whatsoever. Ideally I'd like him to have a grouchy old pregnant mare in with him when he is turned out, but otherwise I'm not too sure!
When exactly does the breeding season start over here?
MillionDollar
Well-Known Member
My friend has a Welsh and Arab stallion, both live out 24/7. In the summer they run with mares as they are covering them, then in the winter the stallions are put together. They are so good and are better behaved than a lot of geldings i know.
When i had 2 wild stallions i kept them seperate to start with but then put them in together and they were fine. Then they were both gelded.
When i had 2 wild stallions i kept them seperate to start with but then put them in together and they were fine. Then they were both gelded.