Gas Riding and Handling Stallions

By Janet Forster

Dealing with stallions can be an intimidating experience. After all, they have an aura of power and virility, and an attitude to life that mares and geldings don’t typically have. This can make even the most experienced horse person feel uneasy! However, riding and handling stallions can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience with the right training and approach.

Many stallion owners make the mistake of treating stallions very differently to mares and geldings, especially with respect to their environment and living conditions. However, whilst there are certain differences that do obviously do require specific management techniques, stallions are still fundamentally ‘just horses’. The more they’re treated as a ‘normal horse’ and allowed to live like one as much as possible, the more likely they are to behave like a ‘normal’ horse.

Indeed, stallions that have been reared and handled as close to normal as possible are not inherently more difficult to handle than mares or geldings of the same breed. In fact, when they’ve been handled ‘normally’ and socialised properly, they’re often better behaved, and easier to handle! That said though – stallions do have qualities and instincts that must be understood and respected if you want to work with them effectively.

Stallions Are Instinctively Territorial

One of the first things to understand about stallions is that they can be very territorial. In the wild, a stallion’s primary role, apart from reproducing, is defending his mares and territory from other stallions. This instinct is still very much alive and well in domestic stallions. Therefore, they can get aggressive towards other horses - and even people - they feel are a threat. That means you need to make sure you’re confident and assertive in your interactions with the stallion without becoming aggressive or confrontational.

Stallions Are Not Normally The ‘Boss’ In A Herd

In wild herds, the stallion is not the boss. That role typically belongs to an alpha or head mare. She sets the boundaries with the stallion and other herd members, and usually leads the mob whilst the stallion guards and drives from the rear.

So, use this natural order of dominance to your advantage when working with stallions, and indeed with any horse –stallion, mare, or gelding. Make sure you are perceived to be the ‘alpha mare’ in any relationship with horses and be consistent in setting boundaries and expectations.

Understand The Stallion’s Body Language

A wise and competent stallion handler understands a stallion’s body language. Horses, including stallions, rely heavily on body language to communicate, both with each other and with humans. So…be aware of your body language. Your posture, movements, and tone of voice can all influence how any horse reacts to you but stallions can be particularly reactive!

Aggressive body language for example rarely works well with stallions because they’re hardwired by testosterone to return the aggression. Therefore, always make sure your body language is calm, consistent, and confident when you’re dealing with a stallion, particularly when it comes to discipline.

Don’t Forget You’re Handling A Stallion

Never forget you’re handling a stallion when working with one. Their focus can very quickly move away from you and onto another horse! If you don’t pick up on this body language immediately and regain his attention, you can quickly lose control of the situation, and him. A stallion that is more focused on another horse than on his handler or rider is not only a nuisance but can also be dangerous.

Know The Signs Of Aggression In Stallions

Although most aggression signals are common to all genders, stallions have one or two up their sleeve that the others don’t have, and can be a lot more extreme with the others! Common signs of aggression in horses are:

• Flattened ears,

• Pinned or switching tail,

• Kicking.

Stallions may additionally:

• Stamp, strike, and rear,

• Bite and nip,

• Charge,

• Scream aggressively.

Stallions should NEVER be allowed to exhibit these behaviours when being handled.

However, if you are approaching a loose stallion in his paddock or yard, and he starts displaying any of these behaviours, give him space, and avoid approaching him directly. If the behaviour is, or becomes, habitual, either get professional help, or consider gelding him. At the end of the day, a naturally aggressive natured stallion is not worth breeding with because he’ll pass that temperament on to at least some of his offspring.

Manage A Stallion’s Breeding Instincts

Stallions obviously have very strong breeding instincts, and dealing with this can be challenging at times, particularly during breeding season. They can get quite agitated, and even aggressive, in the presence of an in-season mare, particularly if she is reacting to him.

To avoid these issues, owners may choose to initially train young stallions alone or in the company of geldings and other stallions. He can then focus on his training without getting sidetracked. Then, by the time he does have to work with mares around, he’s had enough training to keep his mind on the job. However, for some stallions, the presence of other stallions may also be a distraction if they’re particularly territorial.

Some stallion owners also use specific headgear on stallions when they are breeding mares. That way, the stallion knows what behaviour is expected of him when that particular bridle or halter goes on. At all other times, he is taught to behave like any other horse.

Respect A Stallion’s Personality, Physical Capabilities, And Tendencies

Working with stallions also requires an understanding of, and respect for, their physical capabilities and tendencies.

Many of the best equine athletes in the world are stallions and there’s good reason for that! Stallions are usually carefully chosen for their superior conformation, athletic ability, and pedigree. That means they’re often more muscular, agile, and athletic than mares and geldings of the same breed. As a result, they often also require a rider with similarly superior balance and control!

Courtesy of testosterone, stallions often also have a more dominant and independent personality than geldings in particular, and most mares. Therefore, you may need to adopt a slightly different approach to training and handling them. It’s like the version of that saying that says whilst you can tell a gelding and ask a mare, you must discuss it with a stallion. It’s actually true, although you often need to discuss things with mares too!

Some stallions for example see discipline, or being ‘told’ to do something, as a challenge and will argue the point, particularly if it’s done in an aggressive or confrontational way. If you’re dealing with a stallion like this, stay calm, and use patience, and persistence.

Then there the stallions who will comply with whatever is required of them without a lot of fuss and ego, even in confrontational situations!

Ultimately, being able to successfully handle and ride stallions comes down to patience, consistency, and respect. By establishing clear boundaries, reading, and responding to the horse’s body language, understanding his personality and quirks, and tailoring your approach to suit, you can build a strong and rewarding relationship with your stallion. Indeed, a respectful stallion is a joy to handle, and be around. After all, there’s a good reason why knights and kings preferred to ride stallions!

About the author:

Janet Forster hails from sunny Perth in Western Australia. During a lifetime spent with horses, she has bred, competed, loved and written about them. She owns a collection of high percentage Tb crossbreds, most of which are palominos and registered Australian Stock Horses.