keeping stallions happy

[desertgal]

Hey all,

I currently have two young (non breeding) stallions. I am always looking for innovative ways to keep them content and happy, especially in the winter when they are not on a work schedule. I keep them separated with turnout, separate stalls at night, etc... They have a couple hours each week to be turned out together to "play" but generally they live side by side, separated by a fence as their play time will turn somewhat nasty if ones looks at the other the wrong way.... They both have grass paddocks and a working sand ring to themselves and in winter they have a nice "hut" with a hay bag each hanging in the corner so they can eat nose to nose. As for fun, I give them huge lamaze balls in their paddocks which they attack and chase with their noses around the paddocks. Sometimes, my older stallion "sleeps" ontop of his after he beats on it! They are on turnout mostly all day long (weather permitting in winter), brought in at the end of the day and later night time being my grooming/working times for them. They seem pretty happy but if anyone has any other suggestions to add to my current program, please add your thoughts!

I am just curious as to what others do with your stallions to keep them content and happy...thanks very much!!

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

I only have 1 stallion, and he has a gelding buddy living with him. They play constantly, so that keeps them & me happy.

 

[Miniv]

We try to make sure every one of them has a buddy.....one way or another.

 

[BigDogs & LittleHorses]

Mine lives with a donkey gelding buddy. There is a hole cut in the wall separating their stalls so they can poke their heads through and visit with each other when stalled. Plus they are turned out in acreage every few days so they can burn off steam when they need to. I've never seen Morgan get frustrated and pace constantly for hours like I've seen other people's stallions do. But the mares are clear across the field. He can see and call to them but he's not overstimulated like if they were right there.

Daryl

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Two of mine are put together 24/7.

They argue a bit when I first put them together, as one is a full breeding stallion and the other will be this year.

Through the summer they are out (eventually) with the mares (separately, obviously!!) and then during winter they are in a separate field, together.

They are not stalled at all.

They seem very contented.

 

[SHANA]

I have 2 stallions now, did have 4 but recently sold 2. My 2 boys are 5 and 3 years old and both are breeding stallions. This is the first winter I have pastured my stallions together and they get along great. They play and social groom each other. They are outside 24/7 with a run in shed and even will eat out of the same hay pile. Come breeding season they will be seperated and put with their mares and will be about 350-400 feet away from each other, with a T intersection(2 roads) inbetween them. Right now they can see the mares but have 2 fences and a brook inbetween them and the mares so can't sniff noses with them.

 

[Leeana]

I recently sold my main boy, but his brother is a two year old currently and he has not yet bred any mares, planning to put him on a few this spring that i see fit to cross him to, actually going to be on the search for a new stallion this summer i believe or atleast a prospect that fits my bill. But i have stallion paddocks, with a run in for each so my boys are generally "by themselves" except through the fence converse

. Flyte does get to go out with my geldings and a few younger colts during the day for several hours when i turn the inside horses out.

My mare pasture is within sight of my stallion pens i rather keep them separate, easier for me anyway and they are all tons of happy

.

 

[Boinky]

I have 7 stallions... one being a late weanling though. all of the boys except the weany have been used for breeding. Anyways I turn all of my boys out together in the winter months. I think it benefits them greatly mentally and physically. They play a lot and keep each other active and mentally stimulated. It's also quite frankly a lot less work for me.. i can throw a round bale out and they ALL can eat from it. They all can also drink from one stock tank with a heater which makes for a less electric bill due to only one heater. I do seperate in the spring due to them all being show horses and although they don't HURT each other they do tend to get some minor knicks and scrapes and stuff from playing. they also do tend to get more agressive with each other in the spring when hormones kick in but i could probably technically keep them turned out together year around if there were no mares around. I think it's GOOD for them to have the social interaction of other stallions (of course as long as they can all get along).

 

[EAD Minis]

Hi Amy

I have pretty much the same schedual that you do concerning the out during the day in at night and excersise and burshing at night.

My guy gets lots of toys to play with along with different kinds of training each night. And I find that a walk here and there really makes them happy. I take him out to the trails and down to see his other 'horsey' friends. It has done wonders for him as he has learned some great manners along the way. He will have his mare come the spring and then he will be with them year round until they foal. He is very good with them I just dont want to trust him with the mare I have now as the foal will not be mine to keep.

Take care

-Tristyn

 

[desertgal]

I have 7 stallions... one being a late weanling though. all of the boys except the weany have been used for breeding. Anyways I turn all of my boys out together in the winter months. I think it benefits them greatly mentally and physically. They play a lot and keep each other active and mentally stimulated. It's also quite frankly a lot less work for me.. i can throw a round bale out and they ALL can eat from it. They all can also drink from one stock tank with a heater which makes for a less electric bill due to only one heater. I do seperate in the spring due to them all being show horses and although they don't HURT each other they do tend to get some minor knicks and scrapes and stuff from playing. they also do tend to get more agressive with each other in the spring when hormones kick in but i could probably technically keep them turned out together year around if there were no mares around. I think it's GOOD for them to have the social interaction of other stallions (of course as long as they can all get along).

Yes, I couldn't agree with you more. I also try to let my horses spend as much time together as possible for good physical and mental health. I even work them together side by side and keep them in the same ring if I work them separately. I don't have mares on my property ~ just neighboring cow farms. Mostly, I don't think they would sustain any worse than scrapes and the odd swollen eye! My biggest worry is them running and getting all lathered and out of breath ~ then straight over to the water bucket for a nice drink....typical! Thankfully, they don't do that all the time. Cheers!

 

[desertgal]

Hi Amy

I have pretty much the same schedual that you do concerning the out during the day in at night and excersise and burshing at night.

My guy gets lots of toys to play with along with different kinds of training each night. And I find that a walk here and there really makes them happy. I take him out to the trails and down to see his other 'horsey' friends. It has done wonders for him as he has learned some great manners along the way. He will have his mare come the spring and then he will be with them year round until they foal. He is very good with them I just dont want to trust him with the mare I have now as the foal will not be mine to keep.

Take care

-Tristyn

Hey Tristyn! Neat! I take my little men out for walks/trots too ~ sometimes down roadside for experience with the traffic and sometimes to the neighbor's to say "Hi". (everybody on our road just loves them!). YEs, I agree, they do come back so refreshed and it is fun to work with them. My older stallion is very good but a handful as he is quite the showboat!!!! I taught him some neat tricks so he "performs" when he gets excited! My younger guy is just like trotting "nothing" on a lead....he floats on air and minds his own business!

Great to hear from you....thanks so much for all your help and information!!!!! Amy

 

[Reble]

Not sure if I should post what I do, I know some will disagree and do not need any help, thanks.

As of today, our stallion 3 years old and his friend our gelding 10 years old, have been raised together.

Our stallion was 4 months old when he came to us and was raised by his friend.

The stallion and gelding have a stall together, they eat and sleep together, (3 years now)

After breakfast they go out with our mares (5)

In the afternoon I spread a few flakes of hay out for all 7 of our minis. (they all eat together)

The 2 boys are back into their stall for supper & the night.

Yes, I know breeding season might be different. No advice here needed, thanks.

 

[sdmini]

To each their own but we have always turned out the stallions together and there has only been one that wouldn't get along with the others. Right now there are four studs and three geldings running together here and the only ones who are problems are two of the geldings.

Stallions will often times fight when turned together but so do my mares. Actually there is nothing crabbier than an broodmare who perceives some injustice done to her by another horse....or they just want to be witchy.

Stallions, at least 99% of the stallions I've been in contact with, do the pecking order fighting but after that really seem to enjoy each others company.

The broodmares that need some extra goodies are penned right next to the stallion pen and the boys line up and stare longingly through the fence (I believe more at the grain than the mares) and there are no fights, with the exception of the geldings.

Situations change somewhat in the spring/summer but that is how the winter is handled here.

 

[shadelady]

We have five stallions here. This winter one has been out with an old mare and they are very happy together, two are running with their respective mare bands, one is living with a 3 yr old colt and they have a high old time playing together, and the last is on his own at night with access to his own shelter in a paddock next to the girls who are not in foal. During the day he has a weanling colt keeping him company and they are real best buddies, whilst they are grazing or eating their hay their noses are never more than a few inches apart

 

[EAD Minis]

Hey Tristyn! Neat! I take my little men out for walks/trots too ~ sometimes down roadside for experience with the traffic and sometimes to the neighbor's to say "Hi". (everybody on our road just loves them!). YEs, I agree, they do come back so refreshed and it is fun to work with them. My older stallion is very good but a handful as he is quite the showboat!!!! I taught him some neat tricks so he "performs" when he gets excited! My younger guy is just like trotting "nothing" on a lead....he floats on air and minds his own business! Great to hear from you....thanks so much for all your help and information!!!!! Amy

Oh the neighbours here just love them, im very fortunate to have some great understanding neighbours

Your getting some great advice!! I like hearing every ones different situations!

 

[flflyingw]

I have two stallions, soon to be 5yrs old, and they have been together since they were 4 months old. They play in the fields together all day. I give them a ball to play with twice a week. About three days a month I give them a large plastic drum. I don't know who has more fun. Them playing with each other or me watching them. I bring them in at night for grain and hay and after their morning grain out they go again. FLFlying