It’s almost that time of year again!  As the fall and winter near, there will be mares and stallions being placed under lights as they are prepared for the next breeding season. This is also that time of the year when mare owners are desperately searching for that special stallion. 

Stallion owners know that the only way to a successful breeding program is to get their stallions out on the market.  There are various ways that you can do this and become a successful stallion owner.  The most successful stallions are those that have proved themselves in the show ring or on the track.  The fact of the matter is, however, that most stallions these days have very similar bloodlines.  In order to be successful with those stallions, you will have to prove to mare owners that he is worthy over the other stallions that have similar bloodlines to his.  These successful stallions will also be more worthy of a higher stud fee.

There are several ways that you can promote your stallion.  The most popular is a print ad in the major journals of your breed.  Every year the American Quarter Horse Association produces a stallion issue.  The stallion issue features hundreds of stallions that are being stood for stud.  The cost of advertising is by no means cheap as you will have to have a photographer take professional pictures, you will need an advertiser develop your print ad and then you will have to pay advertising fees to the magazine of your choice. The great thing about print advertising is that the mare owners tend to hold on to these magazines for years to come.  So even if your stallion isn’t a good match for a mare they are breeding right now, they might come back to you the next year for a different mare. 

Another great way of advertising your stallion is at stallion alleys.  Many large horse shows will set these up and stallion owners can stall their stallions and promote them there.  Many of them will print posters and flyers of their stallions.  They may also hand out business cards with their stallion and there contact information. (Hint: If you are a mare owner, this is a great way to find stallions).  Stallions are right there for viewing and many owners will decorate their stalls and have them looking their absolute best.

If you do not have the supplies and equipment to breed mares at your home, you may consider sending your stallion to a “stallion station.”  These are breeding facilities that will stand your stallion for you and handle all of the business.  They will ship semen and breed mares.  They may even help you promote your stallion as well.  These are great for stallion owners that also do a lot of showing and don’t have the time or the facilities to stand their stallion at their own barn.

The Internet has also become a huge outlet for finding stallions.  The American Paint Horse Journal reports that 4 out of 5 horse owners are on the Internet.  This includes mare owners and other hobby breeders.  They are online looking for great stallions that will add to the gene pool of their farm.

Promoting your stallion is an essential part to standing a stallion.  The mare owners only know about you if you put your stallion out there, show him and advertise him.