riding stallions after they cover mares

[spangal]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to ride a stallion after he has been covering mares.  I would really like to use Siloe on a mare buit not if it ruins him as a ridden prospect.  There is a fair bit of scaremongering going on hnere about how dangerous he will be and I have low self confidence anyway. Is it old wives tale or true please?

[Cosmic Dance]

My friend rides her breeding stallion...ans shows him with no problems.

[Hat Dancer]

some people use different bridles for covering and riding .. so one type on, stalli knows it's work time or having fun time! 

[Fiona]

I know plenty of stallions who are ridden as well as covering mares and they know perfectly well the difference between the two jobs 

To be honest, I would think twice about using a stallion to breed from if his temperament was such that he became dangerous after having discovered the opposite sex!

These two guys are both breeding stallions



The one in the middle here is a stallion, the one on the right a gelding and the left is a mare



I don't know if it's easier if you cover in the field rather than in hand?  All horses are pretty good at knowing the rules are different when they're under saddle than when they're loose in the field (or they should do!) so that might help you keep it separate in his mind, especially if it's your mare.

Fiona

[lmevans]

Just a note of caution

Do I remember correctly from another thread that you are a relatively inexperienced rider and a bit nervous? If I've got that wrong and confused you with someone else, please ignore this post I can be a senile old bag!

however, if that is you... I wouldn't in your position. Many stallions work in both halves of their lives perfectly well, covering mares and being ridden / competing. But they are generally handled and ridden on a daily basis by experienced and confident people. It sounds like a recipe for to be trying to use him as both a breeding and riding horse. Even a beautifully mannered and nice temperamented stallion can become a bit of a handful when covering a mare, and this can be a real problem if the handler is not entirely confident and knows what they're doing. Also, you do really need very sound facilities if you are planing on standing him at stud. He is only young, and would need to learn that the process has to be very orderly and controlled. This would be tricky in a normal livery yard.

I think what I'm trying to say is... be very very careful, think about all the technicalities (like where you will use for covering / riding, how to make his field safe and contained after he knows about ladies, how you will deal with hacking past a field of in season mares alone, etc etc), and weigh up the possibly problems and how you could overcome them.

Sorry to put a downer on things, but please be careful. Once he knows about the job, there's no going back.

Good luck
Lucie x

[spangal]

To be honest, I would think twice about using a stallion to breed from if his temperament was such that he became dangerous after having discovered the opposite sex!



Thanks Fiona,
You have a very valid point there and I think Siloe has a beautiful tempreament and is very unlikely to  become dangerous.  There seems to be a little bit of a desire to try and unnr=erve me around here, I know not whuy.  We have a field that I could put him in with the mare, so that would be easy and we have some ground at my mother in laws where the mare could go after, so hopefully keep his mind on work more. 
Sally

[spangal]

Just a note of caution

Do I remember correctly from another thread that you are a relatively inexperienced rider and a bit nervous? If I've got that wrong and confused you with someone else, please ignore this post I can be a senile old bag!

Hi Lucie,
Yes You are probably right that I have appeared on another thread as nervous, but I think a lot is the psychological stuff others try on me. We have another young coloured stallion and have secure fencing etc and our own facility for standing him at stud.  (Very small )  I am quite used to covering in hand, but Domino is not yet a ridden stallion and so the thought of combining work and sex has never occurred to me.  Unfortunately, in this part of Wales there seem to be green eyed gremlins , who do not utter cautions as you have in the spirit of friendliness and concern, but for some other reason.  I will exercise extreme caution as you have suggested and fully take on board your advice.
Thanks
Sally xx

[shoveltrash]

hi - i wanted to add that live cover 'training' is important IMHO.
for breeding stallions, a specific *routine* that differs from the routine used to tack up and ride is very important.
things you can do:  a different halter/head collar for breeding.  a different handler, or just a different path out of the barn to breed, vs. what's done for riding.
there's tons of great information online about training for live coverage so that you have a good stallion to ride.  it CAN be done! 
here's a link to a good site, complete with interactive forum http://www.equine-reproduction.com/board/messages/3/3.html?1211945547

[spangal]

things you can do:  a different halter/head collar for breeding.  a different handler, or just a different path out of the barn to breed, vs. what's done for riding.
here's a link to a good site, complete with interactive forum http://www.equine-reproduction.com/board/messages/3/3.html?1211945547

Thanks forthat I could get my husband to handle him or turn him out with the mare and I will look at the online info link you sent.
Cheers
Sally

[chapsi]

Riding and covering (and also competing) is part of a stallion's working life. That's what is expected from them here at the yard.

But I'd tend to get worried. I own a stallion, but so far I haven't used him for stud. He is perfectly mannered, even around mares.

[shoveltrash]

Maria from what i remember, the stallions there aren't ever ridden around mares, are they?  that makes things a bit easier. 
i worry about it too, as my boy hasn't bred either.  i figure that we'll get to that AFTER the training is more advanced  .

[Elinda]

hello spangal,

there are so many factors regarding breeding that should be taken into account prior to breeding. finding a mentor who can help you evaluate your stallion both for temperament and conformation is a great way to get started.

you mention low self confidence, in regard to which aspect of horse care/management/breeding?

not sure how the hay & feed prices are where you are but i hear many breeders in the US mountain west cutting back on breeding this year due to the rising costs and smaller market of horse buyers.

i work w/ breeding stallions, friesians, who have had great training both in their breeding work and u/s dressage work. it's important to be mindful w/ a breeding stallion to be aware of your surroundings since non-stallion owners often don't have the same concerns w/ their horses, including mares in heat, as a stallion owner does.

i'd say that learning from an experienced breeder all the ins and outs of breeding, w/ their horses is a good way for you to know if breeding is something you want to do. it may take a few years but if breeding is a business/hobby you want to do it would be an excellent investment for being prepared and knowledgeable.

elinda

[lisaNW]

Maria from what i remember, the stallions there aren't ever ridden around mares, are they?  that makes things a bit easier.

Ooh they are!! When Maria was wonderfully kind enough to let me ride Trumpy in a lesson, I had his head virtually stuck up a mare's backside at one point (accidentally, of course!).  It was a mare, wasn't it, Maria?! I think the way they handle them makes such a difference though - they seem very strictly handled and seem to know they don't get away with anything. I don't mean rough particularly, just definite and strict.

Lisa

[Elinda]

they seem very strictly handled and seem to know they don't get away with anything. I don't mean rough particularly, just definite and strict.
Lisa

yes, very clear boundaries and expectations really help stallions understand what kind of "work" is expected. IME if the handler/owner are wishy-washy the stallions may begin to exert their own agenda and become headstrong or dangerous.

elinda

[Claire]

why don't you pm rachel at st piran's, or gazaro?