Cathy,


I am a firm believer that training starts as soon as the little guy hits the ground. At first I just treat them like any other foal. They need to learn the basics of manners and respect. Within that first 2 years he better show he has a wonderful personality, and be very easy going otherwise snip snip. I don't believe all stallions are ready to go to the breeding shed at 2 years. They may be physically mature but some are not mentally mature. Until he is mentally mature they have no business in the breeding shed. They need to have a good start under saddle on them and have another job before they are intorduce to breeding. I currently don't have a stallion of my own, but work with a number of them on a regular basis. All of the stallions I handle have what I call work clothes. Special halters, leads, chain that is strickly for breeding only and are only put on when it is time. I think it is also important that they learn to tease a mare properly and are gentle when teasing. No biting, striking, kicking etc. All the stallions I handle are used mostly AI only very few do live cover, so it is important that they stand quietly and don't kick when they are cleaned prior to collection. They need to walk/prance to the dummy nicely and mount properly. They have to dimount nicely or if told to. Right now I am working with a beautiful Friesian stallion who the owners had a hard time with during the 2006 season. This season he is walking out of his stall calmly, teasing nicely, and mounting/dismounting the dummy nicely. It is also important that the stallion repects his handler, this guy respects me more than he respects his owners.