Re: RC: stallion owners/vets

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

Regarding stallion rings--they are a poor substitute for training, can cause 
permanent physical damage if not scrupulously maintained, and are basically 
inhumane, IMO.  

As for beating a stallion on the penis--erections start in the brain, not in 
the penis.  If a horse even starts to THINK stallion-speak when a human is in 
control, the reaction needs to occur BEFORE the erection is complete so that 
the thought pattern is returned to the person.  A stern warning and a 
distraction work far better than punishment after the "misbehavior" has been 
allowed.  Also, be realistic.  In nature, stallions masturbate on an average 
of every 90 minutes or so.  (See work done by equine behaviorist Susan 
McDonell, PhD--she is outstanding on the subject of stallion behavior.)  It 
is not a NECESSARY behavior that frequently (the horse can easily learn to 
focus on other things for the duration of an endurance ride, for instance), 
and should not occur when you are in control, so draw the line at that, and 
don't go fussing about what he is doing when he is tied to the trailer or 
standing in his paddock daydreaming on a sunny afternoon.

Linda is certainly right that there is NO substitute for putting in the time 
and understanding to educate a stallion properly so that he understands his 
place in your hierarchy and behaves accordingly.  She is also right that it 
is an arduous task, and is not for everyone.

Heidi
(Stallions galore, and yes, ma'am! we can be gents!)


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=