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Post by clair0611 on May 24, 2012 11:50:00 GMT
How do you all with stallions who have covered mares expect them to behave around mares in the yard and at shows?
My boy will tie up next to a mare and be lead past them, he whinnies and gets excitable but not uncontrollable. Can walk him past mares in a head collar.
However we Had a little incident this morning where he was a little bit stronger and tried to take me to a mare that was very close. I got him under control in a few seconds and listening to me again and he went back to being his normal dobbin self lol!
But really my question is do you allow the instinctual behaviour as long as they listen straight away or do you try and stop them in their tracks?
I've not had a stallion before and wouldn't under normal circumstances, he is exceptionally quiet. I have had a vast experience with hundreds of horses of lots of different temperaments just wondered how best is to handle a situation like this?
Thanks
Clair
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on May 24, 2012 14:45:54 GMT
No, never allowed to show interest in a mare unless loose in a field with her or in a covering situation. At other times he is instantly verbally reprimanded to make the point that you are the boss and he is expected to listen and obey you.
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Post by clair0611 on May 25, 2012 9:42:04 GMT
Thanks Sarahp. That is what I thought as its no different to being naughty is it?! Just wanted to make sure I am not confusing him which I was. Started straight away this morning with the 'no listen to me' and he was much happier it seemed not stressing about what was around. He settled really well. Pleased I asked now and hopefully with in the next few weeks he will get the idea  It's new turf for me and I feel he is the right stallion to learn this with as he is such a gentleman most of the time  x |
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on May 25, 2012 12:48:28 GMT
It's not really being naughty as such, but he needs to know when certain behaviour is appropriate and when it isn't. If he knows it isn't and still does it, that's naughty!
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Post by jeanslater on May 25, 2012 12:54:29 GMT
My dobbin stallion - there is no such thing, and especially during the season, even the mildest mannered stallion is an accident waiting to happen, when in a situation not the norm!! look for danger and act , treat him like hes going to over react rather than wait until he does then act all suprised - he is a stallion!!!, Have a stable bridle, a riding bridle, a covering bridle all different so he knows and respects the difference .
dont wait until something nasty happens, be prepared and avoid putting him and yourself in a situation and for gawds sake respect the fact he is entire not a gelding with stones.
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Post by clair0611 on May 25, 2012 13:30:02 GMT
Oh I'm well aware of the dangers! Was careful enough with other horses, let alone a stallion. Just want to make sure I am doing it right so that no accidents happen. I'm not a beginner or novice, just never had a stallion. Had plenty of loons in my time though so he seems so quiet. I always had the image of a stallion going crazy all the time. He just isn't like that. Even when a mare is present he is not that fussed and will pick a bucket of food first!! Just not at all what I was expecting from a stallion. Think he is going to be a little gem. Only had him since Xmas but with the weather so bad since then haven't done much and now it's picking up I'm doing lots more with him |
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Post by jeanslater on May 25, 2012 14:14:43 GMT
Loads of luck with him , but BE CAREFUL ,seriously, I do worry on mixed yards when there are stallions about . What you going to do with him?
I've got problems with a 2 yr old filly thats got above her station or is she just a stressy young mare , her mother is?I feel the latter - but thats fillies, with colts/stallions there are times of the year, instict is all they care about so make sure when out of the stable you are always in charge and have complete control all of the time.
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Post by elmere on May 25, 2012 16:33:48 GMT
My stallions are always kept on a busy mixed livery yard and behave well around mares and other stallions at shows because of it, aslong as you have control which it sounds like you do there should be no problem. If I have one starting to chat to others whilst Im leading I just give a small tug and usually say something to them to remind them Im there. |
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Post by lisadundee on May 25, 2012 16:47:54 GMT
Both our stallions were kept on a mixed yard but they both changed at about this time every year, my D would travel at the side of mares and was kept in a field next to the mares (electric fenced) but come summer he did change and as good and quiet as he was for a stallion I always had to respect him and not put him in compromising situations, stallions are a total different kettle of fish to mare and geldings and even though treat as 'normal' as possible on a mixed yard I always had to be careful as the liveries didn't have experience of stallion's and some of them lack common sense! I once caught one livery practically backing her Arab mare up to my stallions door to see if it was ready to take to another stallion! Highly confusing for my boy who was in his stable which is his quiet space (not covering) space and as good as he was she's lucky he didn't go through the door! Always be thinking about every possibility, if a mare broke off her tie ring whilst your stallion is tied up on the yard! Often a mare will attack a stallion! It's not just how quiet your stallion is but peoples consciousness around him, you need to think for everyone around you and just because hes good ten times tied up next to a mare, there will always be that one time when either the mare objects or the stallion decides hes good to go x
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Post by jeanslater on May 25, 2012 17:29:13 GMT
Both our stallions were kept on a mixed yard but they both changed at about this time every year, my D would travel at the side of mares and was kept in a field next to the mares (electric fenced) but come summer he did change and as good and quiet as he was for a stallion I always had to respect him and not put him in compromising situations, stallions are a total different kettle of fish to mare and geldings and even though treat as 'normal' as possible on a mixed yard I always had to be careful as the liveries didn't have experience of stallion's and some of them lack common sense! I once caught one livery practically backing her Arab mare up to my stallions door to see if it was ready to take to another stallion! Highly confusing for my boy who was in his stable which is his quiet space (not covering) space and as good as he was she's lucky he didn't go through the door! Always be thinking about every possibility, if a mare broke off her tie ring whilst your stallion is tied up on the yard! Often a mare will attack a stallion! It's not just how quiet your stallion is but peoples consciousness around him, you need to think for everyone around you and just because hes good ten times tied up next to a mare, there will always be that one time when either the mare objects or the stallion decides hes good to go x totally agree, cant be too careful ever. |
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Post by 09rebel99 on May 25, 2012 17:43:09 GMT
My mini shetland is possibly the quietest stallion ever! BUT even he's getting a bit randy at the moment!! He lives at my friends with her fell mare. They don't go out together but go out next to each other and he stands at her stable door like a dog waiting for her to say hello over the door.
When I'm at shows it drives me mad that people think it's funny to get right up his bum at wind him up!! And they just laugh if I say please just give a wide birth as he's a stallion as he's so small but he could still do some damage.
The danger to me with my lad is other people not my boy :-(
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Post by gurnos on Jun 3, 2012 8:42:48 GMT
Jean Slater - I think the problem with a lot of stallions at shows is that people treat them differently to other horses and are scared of them!! If you treat him like he is going to over react he probably will!!
Claire - My advice to you would be to take him out riding with mares as often as you can. If he does show interest in a mare, give him a little growl. Make sure when you are leading him about the yard you use an halter or bridle, not a headcollar as you don't have much control in a headcollar. You do need to be more aware at this time of year of mares in season, but don't forget he is just a horse at the end of the day, regardless of the sex. I have had ridden stallions since the age of 12 and they do learn they're different jobs. My current stallion runs out with mares and I've never had a problem with him at home or away. In fact I can jump on him in his field with his headcollar and ride him about and he won't look at his mares.
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