Last Updated on March 14, 2022
Horses go by several different generic names, filly, colt, mare, and yearling, all depending on their age and gender, but is a stallion a male or female? If you are new to horses, all of these generic names can get confusing. Here will clear all of that up for you, particularly covering what a stallion is.
Is A Stallion A Male Or Female
A stallion horse is a male horse, but it is not the only type of male horse. A gelding is also a male horse, and so is a colt. Colt applies when the male horse is age three and below. Gelding applies to a male horse that is castrated.
Only a stallion is capable of breeding. A colt can also breed as young as age one, so you do need to separate colts from mares. Geldings are no longer able to reproduce. If you are confused, compare it to neutering a male dog to help you understand.
Stallion Horse Characteristics
Stallions possess certain characteristics that female horses (mares) and geldings do not have. Stallions are not suitable for novice horse handlers as these traits require knowledgeable handling. Some stallions are easier to handle than others, depending on their individual temperaments.
Stallions demonstrate dominant behavior. It is usually not possible to turn a stallion out with other horses. If he is in a paddock with mares, he will breed with any willing mare. A stallion will see a gelding as a threat and attack them. In some cases, with a careful upbringing of a stallion with a gelding, companions mean you can safely turn them out together. Stallions also require high paddock fencing. He will not stop at a regular fence if nearby mares are in season.
Temperament greatly affects how manageable a stallion is to handle. Some, if they receive good training, are quiet with good manners. However, even these stallions can have their instinctive moments.
Wild Stallion Behavior
In the wild, a stallion takes control of a group of mares. He will fight another stallion to keep control of his family. Young stallions that have yet to win any mares will travel in small groups together, know as bachelor herds.
Fighting is a last resort after bravado does not cause one of the stallions to back down. It is common for stallions to steal mares from other herds. Stallions living together only work in the wild as the horses have plenty of room to flee.
When two stallions are in a paddock together, they move more quickly to fight as there is no place to go. This is very dangerous and can result in very serious injuries.
Keeping A Stallion
The traditional way of keeping a stallion is a life of isolation. This thinking is starting to change. Horses are social animals, and isolation of stallions only leads to more behavioral issues. Careful upbringing and introductions with geldings let stallions have the necessary companionship with other horses.
If done correctly, you can safely stable a stallion next to a gelding he accepts as a friend with bars in the wall.
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Gelding Characteristics
Geldings are no longer under the influence of the hormones that create stallion behavior. You can put geldings in a paddock with other horses. They do not show as much unpredictable behavior and remain calmer around mares.
In general, geldings are calmer and easier to handle. Geldings sometimes grow taller than stallions. Gelding is not a new procedure for male horses.
In fact, the procedure goes back centuries. The first known mention of gelding a male horse is a mention by Aristotle in the year 350 B.C.E.
Interesting Facts About Stallions
- The Thoroughbred stallion, Tapit, currently commands the highest stud fee in the industry, of $300,000.
- The Spanish Riding School, located in Austria, trains some of the worlds most beautiful and famous stallions, the Lipizzaner
- The legendary racing stallion, Galileo, has a stud fee of ‘private’. Rumor has it that his fee is over half a million.
- Dubawi, a racing stallion at stud in the United Kingdom has a stud fee of £250,000 ($353,000)
- Many of the most famous racehorses in history are stallions. This includes Man O’War, Secretariat, Native Dancer, and Frankel.
- The most influential Hanoverian breeding stallion is Abglanz
Conclusion
As you can see, the answer to is a stallion a male or female is straightforward. A stallion is always and only a male horse. A female horse is a mare, or if she is younger than age 3, she is a filly. All horses younger than age 1 are foals. When all horses turn 1, they are yearlings.
Is it difficult to ride a stallion?
While some horses can be difficult to work, others are easy going, and can even enjoy a workout. Stallions are often stereotyped as difficult, dangerous, and requiring special care to control and ride. While this may be true in some situations, most horseback riding is fun and a great way to keep fit.
Stallions have been bred for speed and stamina, so they need plenty of exercise. However, they do respond well to training. It’s important to remember that a horse is an animal, not a person, and that you are responsible for your horse’s actions.
Whats it like owning a stallion?
Owning a stallion isn’t for everybody, but if you are a serious horse lover and enjoy the feeling of being with a wild animal, then owning a stallion may be just for you! However, you need to be aware this is gonna be a hard work as stallions can be very unpredictable and because of that they require good, safe, and solid fencing. Stallions also need to have enough room and a lot of space as they are very territorial. But if you decide to take the challenge and make the dream of owning a stallion come true, then there are some things you need to consider.
Stallion ownership is not an easy job. You will be dealing with a wild and unruly stallion all day long, and if you are not prepared for this, then you won’t get anywhere. Stallions are usually very active animals and if you are not prepared for their behavior, then you may find yourself in trouble. So you need to plan ahead. You have to think about how you want your horse to act, and you need to think about how you can manage your horse’s behavior.
Can you keep two stallions together?
Yes, it is possible, but it is important to carefully plan the introduction of stallions in order to avoid problems down the line. If you have two stallions that are well matched for temperament and performance, they can be introduced in the same way as a pair of horses. However, the risk of fighting increases when introducing two stallions together.
Stallions need to be introduced gradually, not all at once. In this way, the horses will learn to respect each other’s space and their relationship will develop slowly and naturally. Stallions need time to get to know each other. It is important to allow the horses to be alone for periods of time so that they can get to know each other.
Are stallions hard to train?
Stallions are not necessarily being hard to train but they can become quite aggressive when in either mating or fighting mood. Another problem is that at the same time they can get very unpredictable in their behavior towards other horses. They can be very stubborn and defiant and they can also react in an unpredictable way.
Stallions should be trained with a positive attitude and firmness. Horses should never be punished, they must be given a positive experience and taught to understand that they are being rewarded for their correct behavior. This is an important part of training any horse and it is equally important to know when a horse has done something good or bad. Most horses will react better if you reward them with a treat or a pat on the head than by punishing them with a kick or a slap.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.
