[quote=Cheryl624;4214]Let me throw some things out there that I know you know... but maybe you haven't thought of owning a Stallion with these thoughts in mind.

In the wild the Stallion is the leader, the fighter and the lover. His goal is to maintain and increase the numbers in his harem through breeding and fighting to steal mares from other herds. He will not tolerate other stallions breeding his mares or challenging his position. In this stance he is much like an African Lion! Mares that are unruly get put in their place quickly. In "our world" geldings may be tolerated, but they may also be perceived as competition.

I have to point out that actually, the stallion is not the leader in the wild. There is one "alpha" mare that leads the herd. Anyone that has several mares knows that they jockey for a position in the hierarchy, and defend that position vehemently. An alpha knows where the best pasture, water, and safe places to sleep are and SHE leads the herd. A stallion is there for procreation and protection, and that's about it. In the wild the stallion actually tends to follow the herd and guard the rear. A stallion may "chastise" a submissive mare or foal for falling behind, but a stallion will very rarely challenge a dominant mare because she will let him have it.

Now, I have personally assisted in several breedings. I have held the mare as well as the stallion. The stallion, Travler, isn't a normal stud. He actually waits for a command before he mounts and is VERY gentle. There are stallions that are vicious, just as there are mares that are. There are also stallions that are pussycats. I agree that you should definitely gain some experience before you take the plunge, and you also need to make sure the stud IS of breeding quality, but I'm not dead set against studs as some seem to be. If you do decide that you want to buy one, I would say buy him young(less than a year) and invest in a GOOD trainer. The stud I have handled was kept with several dominant bred mares from 7 months to 1 1/2 yrs and they taught him manners.lol. If you have the capability the mares teach them just how big and bad they aren't!