The Stallion

UNDERSTANDING HIS ROLE

TEXT: FARRYN DAY

Stallions seem to have a mysticism associated with them. In popular understanding, they are either considered to be the beautiful steed that the prince rides on to save his princess, or in complete contrast, as an aggressive and hormone-crazed beast. In reality, most stallions fall into neither camp and are instead, sadly, just misunderstood.

IN ‘THE WILD’

Stallions in the wild perform a vital role in the herd – and it’s not all about protecting their harem from intruder stallions. In order to understand this role better, we need to look at the structure of a herd. There are normally two types of herd:

1. THE FAMILY GROUP

The family group consists of a stallion with his harem of broodmares and their offspring of the last few years. One of the older mares normally assumes the alpha-mare role. Through experience, she generally knows where the best feeding grounds are, where to find consistent water supplies, where to find valuable minerals and where the herd can go to to roll. Due to her higher rank, she is able to isolate the stallion from the other mares when coming into season so that she is the first to become pregnant. This ensures an advantage to her foal as it will be the first to be born the following spring.

2. THE BACHELOR GROUP

Bachelor groups are made up of young stallions, as well as stallions that do not have their own herd. In their original family herd, the stallion no longer tolerated them, or they left with a bachelor herd to find other companions and playmates. Besides offering security, bachelor groups are an essential part of a young stallion’s education as they allow a young stallion to tussle and play, developing and maturing both physically and mentally in preparation for taking over and then protecting and maintaining his own herd. These bachelor groups tend to live close to herds with mares, and these bachelor stallions are constantly on the lookout for stray mares to mate with or steal from the group while their herd stallion is distracted. These bachelor groups, therefore, vary considerably in their composition, especially during the mating season.

THE ROLES OF THE STALLION IN THE FAMILY GROUP

MAINTAIN AND CREATE HIS HERD:

The main task of the stallion is to ensure the safety of his group and the survival of his offspring. He needs to ensure that none of his mares wander off to be covered by another stallion, and he needs to safeguard his herd by keeping them together and fending off predators.

PROTECTION AND PLAY:

The stallion will protect all of the foals in his herd even if they are not his own. He will exhibit this care by tending to and protecting foals and threatening and driving off other herd members or intruders. Stallions can also be seen herding and driving the young members of the herd and maintaining the pace of the slowest foal when running away from a threat. Stallions, like mares, are very tolerant of their foals and yearlings and protect them as an important part of raising the next generation. The mares rely heavily on their stallion to defend them in order for them and their foals to rest safely. By having time to rest and recover and not constantly be on ‘high alert’, the mares can use their valuable energy to feed and raise their foal to the best of their ability.

The stallion will also spend more time than the mares playing with their foals. As such, bonds are maintained within the herd, and the stallion teaches vital skills to the youngsters, such as fending off a predator. This time spent playing between the stallion and youngsters develops both their muscles and minds.

TESTOSTERONE AND AGGRESSION:

If you have ever seen two stallions meet, it can seem to be an extremely aggressive and frightening thing, although, in reality, the stallions are rarely trying to actually kill the other. A stallion’s readiness to display aggression is triggered by the male hormone testosterone, making him less timid than the mares or youngsters and therefore more prepared to defend against danger. However, when meeting another stallion, an important exchange takes place before any blood is shed. This involves the cost versus reward being calculated by both stallions. For example, for a stallion to fight over a mare or resource such as grazing or water, he must consider if it is worth expending energy, risking injury and therefore his potential to defend himself and his herd in future?

If two stallions and their family groups meet, after a brief performance and some posturing, the stallions will likely move their herds away with no major injury inflicted. This is because both stallions have little to gain and a lot to lose by senselessly fighting. However, this scenario is a little more complex when a leading stallion and his family group meet a bachelor stallion. There is a higher probability of an actual fight in this instance, as the bachelor stallion has a lot to gain and little to lose, whereas the stallion could potentially lose all of his mares and offspring. In this scenario, the leading stallion will defend his herd with all his might, and in these fights, the intruder rarely comes out triumphant – unless the leading stallion is ill or too old to fight.

In all scenarios, the same repeated posturing rituals between stallions can be observed:

1. Stand and stare. The stallions may neigh, swish their tails and stomp their hooves.

2. Posturing. The body is tensed, the neck arched, and the tail raised. They may approach in a passage and pass urine or faeces on top of other droppings.

3. Approach. On approach, they may inhale and process one another’s smells at the nostrils, neck, flank, and hindquarters.

4. The start. This normally leads to grunting, squealing and kicks with the forelegs.

Most encounters will end within a few minutes. However, should neither party leave, then a few well-aimed kicks will follow. Again, should neither flee, rearing, kicking, biting and wrestling may ensue until a winner is established.

THE STALLION IN A DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT

Sadly, many modern stallions do not live a life anywhere close to that of those in a natural herd, with many breeding stallions being kept in total isolation, often resulting in unwanted behaviours and stereotypies. A ‘stereotypy’ is defined as a repetition of the same movement or sound. In a stallion, this could present as weaving, cribbing, pacing, or in extreme cases, self-mutilation.

Interestingly, reproductive problems can be another result of keeping a stallion isolated, especially if he has been alone from a young age. In a stable herd, the stallion will not just walk up to one of his mares and expect to cover her right then. Mares will only allow a stallion to cover them when they are physically ready, and the pair perform a kind of dance - full of postures - before she allows him to cover her. The stallion must respect this or risk a swift kick from the mare! Should a stallion not have the benefit of learning all of these nuances and behaviours from a young age within a herd, other difficulties can arise. Such stallions may show low or no interest in mares, or they can become more bonded with their handler than other horses and uninterested in covering mares. The opposite can also be true, where the stallion may not understand how to approach a mare with good manners and be too eager. The mare may defend herself by kicking and could injure herself and the stallion.

IN-HAND COVERINGS

In-hand covering is the norm on many stud farms, though it can be very stressful for all parties, including the mare and stallion. The mare is often in kick boots or hobbled to prevent an injury to the stallion. The stallion is led in a halter or bridle and sometimes muzzled to prevent biting the handler. In-hand covering can be dangerous for all involved and does not allow for any real interaction between the mare and stallion.

ARTIFICAL INSEMINATION

In some parts of the world, and certain Studbooks, Artificial Insemination is commonplace (it is not permitted in the Thoroughbred Studbook). In extreme cases, this means a very tough life for the stallion, as they are often injected with testosterone to increase sperm production and are expected to cover a ‘phantom/collection’ mare almost daily for the entire season. This can mean big profits for breeders as the stallion can sire hundreds of foals per year, but it can cause major trauma for the stallion as he is required to perform ‘stud duties’ without any of the social interaction he needs. Once again, this can cause significant anxiety, which can lead to stereotypies and aggression.

I once met a stallion a few years ago imported from Europe that displayed such tendencies. If one walked into his stable with a clipboard (reminding him of a vet), he would become aggressive and fearful and try to chase you out of his stable. His neck was full of scar tissue due to all of the testosterone injections, and the stress had caused him to self-mutilate – biting himself repeatedly on the belly and stifle area. It was a sad situation, and I wondered if he had been given any opportunity to live in a herd and learn about social interaction or if this is the only life he knew. I suspected the latter.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have known some incredible stallions – real ‘casanovas’ - who interact with their herd and approach their mares with respect and understanding. These stallions live a far happier and more fulfilled life than those kept in total isolation.

THE MODERN STALLION LIVING HIS BEST LIFE

To give a stallion the happiest life possible, it is important to evaluate the reasons for keeping him a stallion. Consider the following questions:

• Do you wish to breed from him? • Is he sound in body and mind?

• Does he have experience within a herd environment?

• Is he an excellent example of the breed?

• Does he have any anxiety-caused stereotypies or aggression?

• And, perhaps most importantly, is he happy as a stallion?

Unless you can provide the stallion with a high quality of life, where he remains happy, it is seriously worth considering gelding your stallion. A Quarter Horse stud farm I worked for had a rule that unless the colts were of better quality than their sire – they were gelded. This means that there is constant improvement of the breed, and the likelihood of geldings being sold and enjoying a happy life is far greater.

Should you wish to keep a stallion, whether it is a mini or a draught, thoughtful management is required to give him the best chance at a great life. If possible, allow your stallion to have a herd of his own, all year round. He will be far happier and more fulfilled if he can perform his instinctual duties as father and guardian. If a herd of mares is not possible, a gradual introduction into a bachelor group of geldings or young colts can be effective. Without mares around, the testosterone levels drop, and aggression therefore decreases. By simulating a ‘bachelor herd,’ you allow both geldings and stallions to socialise and play, staying healthy in both body and mind.