The vim and vitality of a stallion are what make them so appealing. But this vitality potentially has a darker side; although they can be fun and exciting, but they can also be unruly, and even dangerous. For this reason, anyone thinking of keeping one must go into it with their eyes open. Caring for one of these magnificent beasts entails significantly more responsibility than that needed for geldings and mares.
Keeping a stallion is not necessarily beyond the reach of beginners, but generally speaking they're much more suitable for folks with a lot of equine experience. If you do decide to take the plunge into ownership, here are four ways to help make sure keeping your steed is a pleasure rather than a chore:
Devote quality time to building trust: be aware that it can take many more hours to develop a stallion than it can a gelding or mare. If you're ever to have an obedient horse you must invest quality time in getting to know him, and in letting him get to know you. Let him get used to your presence by taking plenty of time to do your care duties; brush him and feed him and speak to him as you do so. He'll get used to the sound of your voice and your body language.
Establish dominance: it's critical that you establish who's boss when dealing with a horse. If you let him gain the upper hand, he'll take advantage of your weakness. Owners often make this mistake; they let their charge get away with things and small problems become bigger ones.
Be firm, be consistent, and never let your horse get away with misbehaving. If he does something wrong, punish him in an appropriate way, and keep the punishment consistent. Likewise, when he does the right thing, be sure to reward him.
When properly rewarded and disciplined, a male horse need never get out of control. Resolve right at the outset never to put up with bad behavior. Never tolerate things like biting, bucking and rearing. If you're firm and unwavering in your behavior, his behavior in turn will reflect that.
Give him some companionship: it's a myth that stallions are loners who prefer to live away from the herd. Horses are social creatures and stallions are every bit in need of companionship as mares and geldings. One of the main factors that will determine how manageable a male horse will be is whether he has the companionship of other horses.
The other horses he's kept with should certainly be chosen with care, but providing they are compatible, geldings and even other stallions can be perfectly good companions. Other species, too, can fill this role; a sheep or a goat can provide good company and is certainly better than none at all.
Keep his life interesting: the main aim in life of a stallion is to breed, this is what drives him and gives him his vigour. If this vigour is not channelled in constructive ways it can lead to some of the bad behavior that is associated with stallions. A variety of food and exercise, human and animal companionship will all add richness to his life and give him things to look forward to.
Keeping a stallion is not necessarily beyond the reach of beginners, but generally speaking they're much more suitable for folks with a lot of equine experience. If you do decide to take the plunge into ownership, here are four ways to help make sure keeping your steed is a pleasure rather than a chore:
Devote quality time to building trust: be aware that it can take many more hours to develop a stallion than it can a gelding or mare. If you're ever to have an obedient horse you must invest quality time in getting to know him, and in letting him get to know you. Let him get used to your presence by taking plenty of time to do your care duties; brush him and feed him and speak to him as you do so. He'll get used to the sound of your voice and your body language.
Establish dominance: it's critical that you establish who's boss when dealing with a horse. If you let him gain the upper hand, he'll take advantage of your weakness. Owners often make this mistake; they let their charge get away with things and small problems become bigger ones.
Be firm, be consistent, and never let your horse get away with misbehaving. If he does something wrong, punish him in an appropriate way, and keep the punishment consistent. Likewise, when he does the right thing, be sure to reward him.
When properly rewarded and disciplined, a male horse need never get out of control. Resolve right at the outset never to put up with bad behavior. Never tolerate things like biting, bucking and rearing. If you're firm and unwavering in your behavior, his behavior in turn will reflect that.
Give him some companionship: it's a myth that stallions are loners who prefer to live away from the herd. Horses are social creatures and stallions are every bit in need of companionship as mares and geldings. One of the main factors that will determine how manageable a male horse will be is whether he has the companionship of other horses.
The other horses he's kept with should certainly be chosen with care, but providing they are compatible, geldings and even other stallions can be perfectly good companions. Other species, too, can fill this role; a sheep or a goat can provide good company and is certainly better than none at all.
Keep his life interesting: the main aim in life of a stallion is to breed, this is what drives him and gives him his vigour. If this vigour is not channelled in constructive ways it can lead to some of the bad behavior that is associated with stallions. A variety of food and exercise, human and animal companionship will all add richness to his life and give him things to look forward to.
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