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  Discussion on Training stallions
Author Message
Member:
Deggert

Posted on Monday, Oct 20, 2003 - 7:05 pm:

I have 2 1/2 yo arabian colt, I own his mother and grandmother and they all have incredible temperments. I cannot find any info on training stallions and he is my first that I have not gelded because he is quite beautiful and just what I was breeding for AND he is kind and smart.
He is doing great and other than being carefull with him in public places and making sure we are on our toes, we treat him like any other horse. We have just begun to do groundwork with saddle
and have ground driven a couple times, acts like he has been doing it all his life. This might be a mute point because he is doing well but are there certain things you would do with a mare or gelding that you would not with a stallion in terms of style of training etc. Any thoughts or experiences welcomed especially with young stallions would be appreciated. DR. O?
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Oct 20, 2003 - 11:48 pm:

There are some good books out on working with stallions. We currently have 2 stallions (Egyptian Arabians) and have raised several others. To me it seems stallions are everything other horses are, only more so. It's been my experience that they are more mischievious, more sensitive, more easily distracted. You must be very careful that they are treated fairly. They need, and seem to understand correction, but it must be immediate and just. You can't hold a grudge, keep pestering them, etc. They have an extremely long memory and will "get even" if they can. You must always be dominant-not in a macho aggressive way, but always stand your ground. They are a whole other ball game. You must really be able to read a horse to handle them well. However, they are wonderful and you can have a tremendous bond with them. I've had a stallion come to my defense twice-once fr. a drunk cowboy, and once fr. a charging horse. They are extremely sensitive to your moods, etc. But, there is nothing like riding a well trained, powerful stallion. Dr O. can give you lots more advice. It's a subject I am passionate about so just had to "butt in." Once they start breeding, they can change a lot-not get worse, mean or vicious, just different. Not reccomended for someone without experience.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003 - 6:59 am:

Sara you say it just like I do: stallions are just like horses, only more so. They are trained the same way horses are but you will be dealing with a animal with a shorter attention span so he will require more time and attention.
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003 - 9:03 am:

Dr. O
I always felt stallions were like perpetual 16 yr. old boys!
Member:
Deggert

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003 - 12:42 pm:

Sara
thanks for your input, if you can think of the books names it would be great, I have searched but found nothing except teaching to breed. If it comes to that( we still own him) I will leave that to the breeding farm. We have worked with him like you explained, treated him like everyone else just more, except in the attention span area. We make sure we have his attention and then ask him to do the same with another horse in the area. Slowly breaking down things, teaching him he can longe or work in hand with horses, mares, in the vicinity. We have had and trained our own horses for years but I have cut any colts by yearling or 2 yr old, but this one is very special. His father is a very kind stallion also so we genetics working in our favor, Thanks again
New Member:
Maximum

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 2:57 pm:

I am resurecting this post in case the name of the books has been found. I am very interested in learning more about handling stallions. For instance, one person said they train their stallions that one certain halter means it is breeding time, any other halter is for working or turn out only. He has wonderful acting stallions but lives too far away for me to spend much time learning. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Member:
Christos

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 4:12 pm:

Yes, Debra, a dedicated halter or bit for breeding and a different one for normal work gets the message across exceptionally well.
The type of bit or halter is not as important.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 4:53 pm:

I'll search for the book titles and then post them.

We, too, use seperate halter for breeding, and it really works. Their attitudes are very different from the time the see you coming with the "right halter!" I also wear disposable gloves when I'm washing them. As soon as they see me with a bucket and rubber gloves, they DrOp!
Member:
Maximum

Posted on Friday, Jan 28, 2005 - 5:56 am:

I would love any tips you would like to share. I love this guy and he is so easy to work with. Calm manner, well behaved, etc. Right now he is in 24/7 turn out with shelter etc, and a mare which is bred to him and due in April. He can see other horses but there is a 20 foot walkway between him and the other pastures. So far I have had no issues with him. He is good for farrier, vet, etc. Not trained to ride yet, but that was prior owners doing. I have had him for under a year and wasn't certain whether I was keeping him a stud or gelding him. He has the looks and conformation to be a stud, but I wanted to be certain of attitude. Thanks in advance of any helpful words and advice.
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