For many owners, their first miniature horse was a young
stallion, bought because it satisfied the compulsive urge to
have a miniature horse. He was a cute little horse, and was
also affordable. The new owner might have intended to geld
the colt at two years of age, as recommended by the seller,
but never got around to it. Or perhaps, decided that it was
such a well-behaved horse, and such a good specimen, that it
should be kept as a breeding stallion, and a program
established for him. Each horseman has an individualized
program, and those programs vary, but there are essential
common denominators.
The top priority is discipline! The stallion is by nature
more aggressive and has more fire than a mare or gelding, but
it is just as easily trained. That training, whether he is to
be used in a hand-breeding or pasture breeding program, must
include the meaning of "whoa," the proper response to a lead
shank, and allowing the genital area to be washed. The
stallion will be handled more often than mares because even in
a pasture breeding program, the stallion usually receives
supplemental feeding and must thus be handled daily.
The first essential is a well fitting halter, usually of nylon
for miniatures. That halter should be used only when the
horse is being handled; never left on in the stall or pasture
because of the inherent danger of becoming entangled and
causing injury. From early halter training through subsequent
longeing work, teach the horse to understand and respond to
the verbal command, "whoa." Longeing and halter training
should be conducted in an area apart from the breeding area.
The stallion must not associate the halter and lead shank
solely with breeding.
Accustom the young stallion to having his umbilical, scrotal,
and sheath area handled during the normal grooming process.
Some judges check the testicles on the miniatures by feel
rather than sight, particularly on very small stallions, and
of course, the genitals are usually washed prior to hand-
breeding.
Health is vital for a breeding stallion. He must be disease-
free, and should be free of parasites. An effective worming
program is essential, as is a daily exercise program for
stallions kept in a stall. The pent-up energy, coupled with
the frustration of being stalled, can lead to behavioral
problems and refusal to perform in the breeding shed. The
easiest form of exercise (for the handler) is free exercise--
turn him loose in a spacious paddock, and watch him run, mane
and tail flying. Watch him buck and cavort; he may continue
for thirty minutes. Then work him for another thirty minutes
on a lead line or longe line, or put him on a hot walker.
A vigorous exercise program, in addition to physiological
soundness and control, will increase the libido or sex-drive
without causing control problems. It is the unexercised,
undisciplined horse that causes problems, and not because his
libido is high, but because he is out of his stall and intends
to make the most of it. The exercised stallion works up an
appetite and usually consumes his total daily ration.
Whereas, good nutrition increases the number and mobility of
the sperm and exercise reduces boredom and the resultant stall
vices such as cribbing, eating bedding, and masturbation.
Additionally, exercise increases owner satisfaction because
the horse looks better due to increased muscle tone, adequate
sunlight, and that air of well-being which results.
A mutual understanding and respect between the owner and horse
is essential! The horse should not be badgered or confused
with nagging. He should not be reprimanded unless it is a
thorough, comprehensive and vigorous reprimand. Determine at
the outset what you will and what you will not accept, and
allow no deviation. Half-hearted discipline measures only
aggravate disciplinary problems.
Many Miniature Horse owners pasture breed, that is, they put
one stallion in a pasture with the mares that are to be bred
to him. Most stallions perform well, but the stallion must be
in excellent condition when turned out because he will lose
weight worrying about and herding his harem from one area to
another, keeping them rounded up and together. That is but
one reason supplemental feeding is recommended.
The horse owner never stops learning from experience and
study, but once "hooked", he has a world of enjoyment and
companionship laid out for him or her.
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