Why is a stallion dangerous

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Pain or discomfort can manifest itself in undesirable behaviors as the stallion experiences frustration between something that he finds desirable but elicits pain.

If a stallion exhibits either aggressive behaviors or disinterest, it is important to first rule out pain, before starting any other behavioral management strategies. Housing can also affect stallion behavior.

Stallions are often housed and handled much differently than what they would experience in a natural setting. Stallions are often isolated from other horses to ensure the safety for them and other horses. Stallions kept in barns away from other horses may actually decrease libido in some cases.

In nature, young stallions congregate together in bachelor bands, in contrast to the stallion with access to mares, known as the harem stallion.

Stallions which are around only other stallions show decreased testicular size, thus, lower libido. This strategy allows them to live together with less conflict, but may adversely affect breeding stallions. Housing stallions around mares may help horses who are disinterested or reluctant breeders.

Some stallions may not show interest in mares due to their past handling. It is common in performance stallions to discourage or punish them from showing sexual interest during their careers. Stallions should be allowed to exhibit normal breeding-related behaviors.

The mare used for breeding should also be considered for a stallion that is a reluctant breeder. While some stallions may do quite well with an ovariectomized mare one with ovaries removed and provided synthetic estrogen used for semen collection, most stallions do prefer a mare in natural estrus. How can you encourage a more amenable demeanor? Not surprisingly, a calm handler is key to keeping a stallion calm and well-mannered in the breeding barn.

The scenario: At any point during the interaction with a stallion, he reaches around and nips or bites the handler. Why he does it: Dr. McDonnell says. How to handle it: Dr. Practical tips: The handler should gear up with whatever it takes to keep calm — a heavy jacket to protect arms and shoulders, for example.

McDonnell recommends trying a soft grazing muzzle on the stallion during these interactions. Another strategy is changing up the restraint. If the chain is looped around the nose, for example, Dr. McDonnell says try threading it through the mouth gently, like a bit, with loose tension, to give the horse something to use his tongue to play with rather than nipping. Horses are individuals in what works best, but it is worth trying different halter and lead arrangements. Why he does it: During the teasing phase, the stallion might bite at the mare for a few reasons: It can be frustration with the restraint on the stallion or the mare might not be at liberty to respond that she is ready with the appropriate signals to the stallion.

For a stallion with an extreme problem with biting the mare during teasing, Dr. Then you just have to get them to the mare safely. The scenario: During the time leading up to actually mounting the mare, a stallion might strike out at the mare with a foreleg.

This behavior, thought natural, can be dangerous for a couple of reasons. If the handler is in the way, injuries could occur. If the stallion is positioned close to the breeding stocks or some other stationary object, he could hit his leg, or push the handler into it.