Ridecamp: Re: [RC] horses that kick

Sullivan's response to Kat's comments about riding and making stallions
behave leads me to a question of my own, here:   Presumably, the reason for
taking studs out of the breeding barns and into competitions of any sort is
to determine/prove their abilities.  Obviously, you wouldn't want to breed a
stud for endurance prospects that can't go the distance and remain healthy
and sound.  Same with racehorses, grand prix animals, 3-day eventers,
ropers, etc.  How are you supposed to determine whether a stud has the
qualities you want in his offspring if you aren't allowed to take him out in
mixed company on a regular basis?

Once again, it seems to come down to human behavior and decision-making, not
animal behavior.  The head in charge is supposed to be the one with the
helmet, not the one with the bridle.  It seems to me to be one thing for
mares in heat to come into passing contact with a stud on the trail.  I
don't think it's too much to ask a stud to behave in that situation--but it
boggles my mind that anyone would expect a stud to spend hours side by side
or nose to tail with a mare and not be tested beyond either his or his
rider's ability to control his baser instincts.


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