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For other uses, see Stallion (disambiguation).
A stallion
A stallion

A stallion is a male horse that has not been castrated. The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. Castration (also referred to as Gelding, Neutering, Fixing, orchiectomy, and orchidectomy is any action surgical, chemical

Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to female horses, known as mares, and castrated males, called geldings . Equine conformation refers to the correctness of a horse's bone structure musculature and its body proportions in relation to each other A phenotype is any observable characteristic of an Organism, such as its morphology, Development, biochemical or physiological properties Meyers b12 s0947bjpg|thumb|Heavy or draft horse breeds]] This page is a list of Horse and Pony breeds and also includes terms used to describe types of horses that are not Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body Testosterone is a Steroid hormone from the Androgen group In mammals testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the Ovaries A gelding is a castrated animal &mdash in English the term specifically refers to a castrated male Horse or other Equine such as a Donkey

Temperament varies widely based on genetics, and training, but because of their instincts as herd animals, they may be prone to aggressive behavior, particularly toward other stallions, and thus require careful management by knowledgeable handlers. Genetics (from Ancient Greek grc-Latn genetikos, “genitive” and that from grc-Latn genesis, “origin” a discipline of Biology, is Horse training refers to a wide variety of practices that teach Horses to perform certain behaviors when asked to do so by humans Instinct is the inherent disposition of a living Organism toward a particular Behavior. However, with proper training and management, stallions are effective equine athletes at the highest levels of many disciplines, including horse racing, horse shows, and international Olympic competition. This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. A Horse show is a judged exhibition of Horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France


Contents

Herd behavior

Main article: Horse behavior

Contrary to popular myth, the stallion is not the leader of a herd, but rather serves in a role to defend and protect the herd from predators and other stallions. Horse behavior is best understood from the perspective that Horses are prey animals with a well-developed Fight-or-flight instinct The leadership role is held by a mare, known colloquially as the "lead mare" or "boss mare. " The mare determines the movement of the herd as it travels to obtain food, water, and shelter. She also determines the route the herd takes when fleeing from danger.

When the herd is in motion, the stallion brings up the rear of the herd, keeping straggling herd members in line and serving as a "rear guard" between the herd and a potential source of danger. When the herd is at rest, all herd members share the responsibility of keeping watch for danger. The stallion usually is positioned on the edge of the herd, in order to defend the herd if needed.

In a herd or a group of horses, there is usually only one mature herd stallion. Both sexes of horses are tolerated while young, but once they become sexually mature, the stallion will drive both colts and fillies from the herd. A colt is a young Male Horse, under the age of four However in olden days the word 'colt' referred to any young or infant horse regardless of gender A filly is a young Female Horse too young to be called a mare. Colts may present competition for the stallion, but studies suggest that driving off young horses of both sexes may also be an instinctive behavior that also minimizes the risk of inbreeding within the herd. Instinct is the inherent disposition of a living Organism toward a particular Behavior. Inbreeding is breeding between close Relatives whether plant or animal In some cases, a single younger mature male may be tolerated on the fringes of the herd. One theory is that this young stallion is considered a potential successor, as the younger horse will eventually drive out the older herd stallion.

Fillies usually soon join a different band, and colts or young stallions without mares of their own usually form "bachelor bands" in the wild. A filly is a young Female Horse too young to be called a mare. A colt is a young Male Horse, under the age of four However in olden days the word 'colt' referred to any young or infant horse regardless of gender Living in a group gives these males the social and protective benefits of living in a herd. A bachelor herd may also contain older stallions who have lost their herd in a challenge. [1]

Other stallions may directly challenge a herd stallion, or may simply attempt to "steal" mares and form a new, smaller herd. In either case, if the two stallions meet there rarely is a true fight; more often there will be bluffing behavior and the weaker animal will back off. Even if a fight for dominance occurs, rarely do opponents hurt each other in the wild because the weaker animal has a chance to flee. However, fights between animals in captivity may result in serious injuries; fences and other forms of confinement make it more difficult for the weaker animal to safely escape. In the wild, feral stallions have been known to steal or mate with domesticated mares. A feral organism is one that has escaped from Domestication and returned partly or wholly to its wild state There are a number of hypotheses on many of the key issues regarding the domestication of the horse.

Anatomy

See also: Horse anatomy

The reproductive system is responsible for the sexual behavior and secondary sex characteristics (such as a large crest) of the stallion. The anatomy of the horse comes with a large number of Horse specific terms The external genitalia comprise:

The internal genitalia comprise the accessory sex glands:

These contribute fluid to the semen at ejaculation, but are not strictly necessary for fertility[2]

Management and handling of domesticated stallions

See also: Horse breeding, Horse training, and Horse care
Even well-trained stallions require firm and consistent handling by experienced individuals.
Even well-trained stallions require firm and consistent handling by experienced individuals. Physiological aspects Internal and external fertilization Depending on the Species, spermatozoa can fertilize Ejaculation is the ejecting of Semen from the Penis, and is usually accompanied by Orgasm. Horse breeding refers to reproduction in Horses and particularly the human-directed process of Selective breeding of animals particularly Purebred Horse training refers to a wide variety of practices that teach Horses to perform certain behaviors when asked to do so by humans There are many aspects to horse care. Horses ponies, Mules Donkeys and other domesticated Equidae require attention from

Domesticated stallions are trained and managed in a variety of ways, depending on the region of the world, the philosophy of the owner, and the temperament of the individual stallion. Domestication (from Latin domesticus) refers to the process whereby a Population of Animals In all cases, however, stallions have an inborn tendency to attempt to dominate both other horses and human handlers, and will be affected to some degree by proximity to other horses, especially mares in heat. Oestrus is also the biological genus name of the gadfly. The estrous cycle (also oestrous cycle; derived from Latin They must be asked to behave with respect toward humans at all times or else their natural aggressiveness, particularly a tendency to bite, may pose a danger of serious injury. [3]

For this reason, regardless of management style, stallions must be treated as individuals and should only be handled by people who are experienced with horses and thus recognize and correct inappropriate behavior before it becomes a danger. [4] While some breeds are of a more gentle temperament than others, and individual stallions may be well-behaved enough to even be handled by inexperienced people for short periods of time, common sense must always be used. Even the most gentle stallion has natural instincts that may overcome human training. Instinct is the inherent disposition of a living Organism toward a particular Behavior. As a general rule, children should not handle stallions, particularly in a breeding environment.

Management of breeding stallions usually breaks down into one of two basic types: confinement or "isolation" management, and natural or "harem" management. Sometimes a stallion may periodically be managed in both systems, depending on season of the year. In some parts of the world, young domesticated stallions may be allowed to live separately in a "bachelor herd," out of sight, sound or smell from mares.

Natural management is essentially allowing a stallion to run in a pasture with a herd of mares. Pasture is land with Herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of Ungulate Livestock as part of a Farm or Ranch. The advantage of this type of management is that the stallion is allowed to behave "like a horse" and may exhibit fewer stable vices. Stable vices are bad habits of Equines especially Horses. They usually develop as a result of being confined with insufficient exercise In addition, the mares may "cycle" or achieve estrus more readily. Oestrus is also the biological genus name of the gadfly. The estrous cycle (also oestrous cycle; derived from Latin Proponents of natural management also assert that mares are more likely to "settle" (become pregnant) in a natural herd setting. Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female Some stallion managers keep a stallion with a herd year-round, others will only turn a stallion out with mares during the breeding season. [5]

There are drawbacks to natural management, however. One is that the breeding date, and hence foaling date, of a given mare will be uncertain. Another problem is the risk of injury to the stallion or mare in the process of natural breeding. Some stallions become very anxious or temperamental in a herd setting and may lose considerable weight, sometimes to the point of a health risk. Some may become more aggressive and dangerous to handle. There is also a greater risk that the stallion may escape from a pasture or be stolen. Stallions may break down fences between adjoining fields in order to fight another stallion, or possibly mate with the "wrong" herd of mares, thus putting the pedigree of ensuing foals in question. [6]

The other general method of managing stallions is to confine them individually, separately from other horses, sometimes in a small pen or corral with a tall fence, other times in a stable, or, in certain places, in a small field (or paddock) with a strong fence. A stable is a Building in which Livestock, especially Horses are kept Pasture is land with Herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of Ungulate Livestock as part of a Farm or Ranch. In Agriculture, Fences are used to keep Animals in or out of an area The advantages to confinement include less of a risk of injury to the stallion or to other horses, controlled periods for breeding mares, greater certainty of what mares are bred when, less risk of escape or theft, and ease of access by humans. Some stallions are of such a temperament (or develop vicious behavior due to improper handling) that they must be confined and cannot be kept in a natural setting, either because they behave in a dangerous manner toward mares, or because they are dangerous to humans when loose.

The drawbacks to confinement vary by the actual method used, but lack of exercise can be a serious concern; stallions without sufficient exercise may not only become fat, which may reduce both health and fertility, but also may become aggressive or develop stable vices due to pent-up energy. Stable vices are bad habits of Equines especially Horses. They usually develop as a result of being confined with insufficient exercise If stallions are kept in complete isolation from other animals, they may develop additional behavior problems. Conversely, some stallions within sight or sound of other horses may become aggressive or noisy, calling or challenging other horses. In any case, stallions kept alone require careful balance of nutrition and exercise for optimal health and fertility. Equine nutrition is the feeding of Horses ponies, Mules Donkeys and other equines Correct and balanced Nutrition is a critical

As a general rule, a stallion that has been isolated from the time of weaning or sexual maturity will have a more difficult time adapting to a herd environment than one allowed to live in close proximity to other animals.

Some managers attempt to compromise between the two methods by providing stallions daily turnout by themselves in a field where they can see, smell, and hear other horses. They may be stabled in a barn where there are bars or a grille between stalls where they can look out and see other animals. A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace In some cases, a stallion may be kept with or next to a gelding or a non-horse companion animal such as a goat, gelded donkey, cat, or other creature. A gelding is a castrated animal &mdash in English the term specifically refers to a castrated male Horse or other Equine such as a Donkey The domestic goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat Domesticated from the Wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe The donkey or ass, Equus asinus, is a member of the Equidae or horse family and an odd-toed ungulate. WikipediaManual of Style (spelling, articles should conform to one overall spelling style of English typically the one most linked to the article topic (if it is geographic

Properly trained stallions can live and work in close proximity to mares and to one another. Examples include the Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, where the entire group of stallions live part-time in a bachelor herd as young colts, then are stabled, train, perform, and travel worldwide as adults with few if any management problems. The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner ( Slovene Lipicanec) is a breed of Horse closely associated with the Spanish Riding School The Spanish Riding School ( de: Spanische Hofreitschule, the "Spanish Court Riding-School" of Vienna, Austria, is a traditional riding Vienna ( in Wien; see also other names) is the Capital of Austria, and is also one of the nine States of Austria. Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich A colt is a young Male Horse, under the age of four However in olden days the word 'colt' referred to any young or infant horse regardless of gender However, even stallions who are unfamiliar with each other can work safely in reasonably close proximity if properly trained; the vast majority of Thoroughbred horses on the racetrack are stallions, as are many equine athletes in other forms of competition. The Thoroughbred is a horse breed A race track (or 'racetrack' or 'racing track' is a purpose-built facility for Racing of animals (eg Stallions are often shown together in the same ring at horse shows, particularly in halter classes where their conformation is evaluated. A Horse show is a judged exhibition of Horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide "Halter" is a term used to describe a type of Horse show class where horses are shown "in hand" meaning that they are led not ridden and are judged on their Equine conformation refers to the correctness of a horse's bone structure musculature and its body proportions in relation to each other In horse show performance competition, stallions and mares often compete in the same arena with one another, particularly in Western and English "pleasure"-type classes where horses are worked as a group. Western Pleasure is a western style competition at Horse shows that exhibits the manners and suitability of the Horse for appropriate gait cadence English pleasure is generic term for a number of different English riding classes seen at Horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in Overall, stallions can be trained to keep focused on work and may be brilliant performers if properly handled. [7]

A breeding stallion is more apt to present challenging behavior to a human handler than one who has not bred mares, and stallions may be more difficult to handle in spring and summer, during the breeding season, than during the fall and winter. Horse breeding refers to reproduction in Horses and particularly the human-directed process of Selective breeding of animals particularly Purebred However, some stallions are used for both equestrian uses and for breeding at the same general time of year. For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description Though compromises may need to be made in expectations for both athletic performance and fertility rate, well-trained stallions with good temperaments can be taught that breeding behavior is only allowed in a certain area, or with certain cues, equipment, or with a particular handler. Fertility is the natural capability of giving life As a measure "Fertility Rate" is the number of children born per couple person or population [8][9] However, some stallions lack the temperament to focus on work if also breeding mares in the same general time period, and therefore are taken out of competition either temporarily or permanently to be used for breeding. When permitted by a breed registry, use of artificial insemination is another technique that may reduce behavior problems in stallions. A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in Animal husbandry and the Hobby of Animal fancy, is an official list of AIH redirects here For the indie rock band abbreviated AIH see Architecture in Helsinki Artificial insemination (AI is the process by which

Cultural views of stallions

Attitudes toward stallions vary between different parts of the world. In some parts of the world, the practice of gelding is not widespread and stallions are common. A gelding is a castrated animal &mdash in English the term specifically refers to a castrated male Horse or other Equine such as a Donkey In other places, most males are gelded and only a few stallions are kept as breeding stock. Horse breeders who produce purebred bloodstock often recommend that no more than the top 10 percent of all males be allowed to reproduce, in order to continually improve a given breed of horse. Horse breeding refers to reproduction in Horses and particularly the human-directed process of Selective breeding of animals particularly Purebred Purebreds, also called purebreeds, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of an animal Species, achieved through the process of Selective breeding Meyers b12 s0947bjpg|thumb|Heavy or draft horse breeds]] This page is a list of Horse and Pony breeds and also includes terms used to describe types of horses that are not

People sometimes have inaccurate beliefs about stallions, both positive and negative. Some beliefs are that stallions are always mean and vicious or uncontrollable, other beliefs are that misbehaving stallions should be allowed to misbehave because they are being "natural," "spirited," or "noble. " In some cases, fed by movies and fictional depictions of horses in literature, some people believe that a stallion can bond to a single human individual to the exclusion of all others. However, like many other misconceptions, there is only partial truth to these beliefs. Some, though not all stallions can be vicious or hard to handle, occasionally due to genetics, but usually due to improper training. Others are very well-trained and have excellent manners. Misbehaving stallions may look pretty or be exhibiting instinctive behavior, but it can still become dangerous if not corrected. Some stallions do behave better for some people than others, but that can be true of some mares and geldings as well.

In some parts of Asia and the Middle East, the riding of stallions is widespread, especially among male riders. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. The gelding of stallions is unusual, viewed culturally as either unnecessary or unnatural. In areas where gelding is not widely practiced, stallions are still not needed in numbers as great as mares, and so many will be culled, either sold for horsemeat or simply sold to traders who will take them outside of the area. Horse meat is the culinary name for meat cut from a Horse. It is slightly sweet tender low in fat and high in protein Of those that remain, many will not be used for breeding purposes.

In Europe, Australia, and the Americas, keeping stallions is less common, primarily confined to purebred animals who are usually trained and placed into competition to test their quality as future breeding stock. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America The majority of stallions are gelded at an early age and then trained for use as everyday working or riding animals.

Geldings

Main article: Gelding

If a stallion is not to be used for breeding, gelding the male horse will allow it to live full-time in a herd with other horses, reduce aggressive or disruptive behavior, and allow the horse to be around other animals without being seriously distracted. A gelding is a castrated animal &mdash in English the term specifically refers to a castrated male Horse or other Equine such as a Donkey If a horse is not to be used for breeding, it can be gelded prior to reaching sexual maturity and may behave better if this is done. However, older stallions who are sterile or otherwise no longer used for breeding may also be gelded and will exhibit calmer behavior, even if previously used for breeding. Modern surgical techniques allow castration to be performed on a horse of almost any age with relatively few risks. Castration (also referred to as Gelding, Neutering, Fixing, orchiectomy, and orchidectomy is any action surgical, chemical

Just as some pet owners may have conflicting emotions about neutering a male dog or cat, some stallion owners may be unsure about gelding a stallion. Neutering, from the Latin neuter (of neither sex is the removal of an animal's Reproductive organ, either all of it or a considerably large part The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order WikipediaManual of Style (spelling, articles should conform to one overall spelling style of English typically the one most linked to the article topic (if it is geographic However, in most cases, particularly in modern industrialized cultures, an animal that is not of sufficient quality to be used for breeding will have a happier life without having to be isolated or constantly dealing with the instinctive, hormone-driven behaviors that come with being left intact. Geldings are safer to handle and present fewer management problems. They are also more widely accepted. Many boarding stables will refuse clients with stallions or charge considerably more money to keep them. Some types of equestrian activity, such as events involving children, or clubs that sponsor purely recreational events such as trail riding, may not permit stallions to participate. For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description Trail riding is riding outdoors on natural Trails and roads as opposed to riding in an enclosed area such as a riding arena

Ridglings

Main article: Ridgling

A Ridgling or "Rig" is a stallion which has an undescended testicle. A ridgling or rig is a Male animal with an undescended Testicle. A ridgling or rig is a Male animal with an undescended Testicle. If both testicles are not descended, the horse may appear to be a gelding, but will still behave like a stallion. [10] However, in many cases, ridglings are infertile. Female infertility|Male infertility Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a Man or a Woman to contribute to conception. The condition is most easily corrected by gelding the horse. A more complex and costly surgical procedure can sometimes correct the condition and restore the animal's fertility, though it is only cost-effective for a horse that has very high potential as a breeding stallion.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Gender Issues: Training Stallions" The Horse press release, online edition, June 29, 2007. A gelding is a castrated animal &mdash in English the term specifically refers to a castrated male Horse or other Equine such as a Donkey Horse breeding refers to reproduction in Horses and particularly the human-directed process of Selective breeding of animals particularly Purebred Horse behavior is best understood from the perspective that Horses are prey animals with a well-developed Fight-or-flight instinct Web site accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=9881
  2. ^ "The Stallion: Breeding Soundness Examination & Reproductive Anatomy", University of Wisconsin-Madison. Accessed at [1] on 7th July 2007
  3. ^ "Gender Issues: Training Stallions" The Horse press release, online edition, June 29, 2007. Web site accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=9881
  4. ^ Hatfield, Sandy. "Handle Stallions With Care. " The Horse online edition. Web article accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6343
  5. ^ Strickland, Charlene. "Return to Nature With Pasture Breeding" The Horse online edition, September 13, 2001. Web article accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=159&nID=5&n=Stallion Care and Problems&case=2
  6. ^ McDonnell, Sue. "Keeping Horses in Harems. " The Horse online edition, web site accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6283
  7. ^ Strickland, Charlene. "Males as Athletes," The Horse online edition. Web article accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=772&nID=5&n=Stallion Care and Problems&case=2
  8. ^ Mendell, Chad. "AAEP Convention 2005: Stallion Handling. " The Horse online edition. Web site accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6549
  9. ^ McDonnell, Sue. "Keeping Stallions Focused" The Horse online edition. Web article accessed July 5, 2007 at http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8808
  10. ^ "Horse and Hound magazine" [2]
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