I agree with most of what Kat had to say about the advantages and disadvantages
of having a stallion.
The exception being that I don't think they are ALL lazy. (and I know she
generalized) My belief is that it depends on the individual. Mine started out
that way, but with training and conditioning he isn't any more.
Last year at a ride I borrowed a saddle and surprisingly enough, it didn't fit
well.<sarcasm> I didn't realize it at the time. He was at the front of the
pack for 3/4 of the ride and finished in 6th place. He was cantering most of
the way because it hurt to trot. I didn't realize that either.
When I pulled the saddle in camp his back was very sore. When I took him to the
vet and she "checked" his back....he grunted in pain. She said to me "I have
never seen a horse this sore.....it's a wonder he didn't dump you in the river
and come home by himself."
I know my stallion gives me his all, but that's not to say that others would.
Spookiness:
Jan wrote:
> Have you tried using supplements to try and calm him down, you put
his nervousness down to his being a stallion, it might be because
that's just the way he is, there are many nervous geldings out
there
I am currently working with a "spook factory" type of gelding. He has reasons
for being that way....but that's another story. Since his first endurance
outting (when he would hardly go out the gate because he was afraid) until now,
he is a different horse. The "change" is due to training and repeated exposure
to situations that scare him and LOADS of PATIENCE ....not supplements. I
happen to think that training will last a lot longer then something chemical in
the horse's system. That's a personal preference.
Is the gelding "safe" for someone inexperienced to ride even on
supplements....NO. Will he ever be....I don't know. But that's the goal.
The point is, he is spooky because of what has happened to him during his
lifetime, not because of his gender. Spookiness is not gender specific.....IMO.
My stallion has been put in some real tense situations and performed like he was
expected to. Would he perform that way for my boyfriend...probably not. (It's
a testosterone thing) Would I put the gelding in the same situations today...NO
WAY.
But maybe someday after we have worked on it.
Stallions are VERY social. If you keep them isolated, they tend to become
"desperate" when they are around other horses. You will see some stallion
owners at vet checks "hiding" behind bushes so they can meet criteria, because
their stallions are now suddenly exposed to a "herd" and naturally get excited.
It is better for them if they can have contact with other horses where they are
stabled. This again ....is a generalization and dependant upon the individual
and circumstances.
If you're going to have a stallion, you need to ALWAYS remember what they are,
and then ride them like a regular horse.
Don't expect other riders to want you around, however. As Kat said...other
horses can react oddly when your stallion is in the vicinity. And it will be
your fault no matter what. So disclose to everyone what you are riding IN
ADVANCE and they can choose not to ride with you.
Alexandra
Palm Springs, Ca