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Post by lindad on Jan 26, 2008 18:33:20 GMT -5
Does anyone have a companion animal with their stallion, other than a herd of bred mares? Does it ever work or do the stallions just do what stallions do? This may be a dumb question. Bo plays with my donkey, one on each side of the fence and is very gentle. Cola will stand on a mound of dirt, and then Bolero can groom him, and has never attempted to bite. It was fall and hormones were likely wanning, and of course Cola could just step away if he became rough. I would love for him to have a friend, but don't want to risk anyone getting hurt. It may just be a bad idea, because they may be fine and then one day it could be a different story.
Linda D
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Post by MustangsInNC on Jan 26, 2008 20:37:12 GMT -5
My stallion always stayed in with a gelding. My stallions were raised around other horses though. My first Mustang Salem was gelded as a 4 year old, after I'd had him 2 years. Then I adopted a 5 year old stud, and they stayed together for years. Both of them were in the BLM facility with other studs. If they are used to being around other horses, it usually isn't a big deal for them. The only studs I have seen that have problems are the ones that have lived a life of solitude in a stall and never learned any "horse" manners.
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Post by desperatehorsewife on Jan 26, 2008 21:40:55 GMT -5
Socialization is the key. With the sheep, rams are often put with other rams except for breeding season. Or, they've got buddy wethers ('gelded' sheep) to keep them company. When they're finished with breeding season, they go back with the boys and there's always a bit of a tussle to redetermine who's boss, but they're happier that way than alone.
When we were at the corrals in Nov, all the Beattys and Jackies Butte male horses were still stallions. They would play fight, but they got along.
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Post by skybar on Jan 26, 2008 21:45:49 GMT -5
Linda,
The situation you have sounds like it seems to be working.I wouldn't mess with it.
I have 3 studs here. My senior one, is by himself except when weaning time rolls around, and then he gets the babies, and if I have my own mares bred he stays with them as well. I would love to have a year round companion for him, but being I have no geldings of my own, this works best for him.
My 7 yo, was always with a group of horses until he fractured his elbow and leg as a 2 yo. He was relegated to stall rest for a year and was slowly worked back into a pasture setting a after that time, and stayed with his half-brother for a year and half until the half-brother was sold, now he has my old broodmare who can no longer catch over the fence from him, and he enjoys that well enough.
My 4 yo stud has always been with other horses. First his father, the senior stallion and then various geldings that board here with me. He currently has one gelding with him in the field and they are pastured next to his father. The 4 yo still baby talks to dad. He is a bit of a sissy.
I have found over the years that if a stallion can have a companion, that is best. I hate when I go into show and/or breeding barns, and they have their studs cooped up in 10x12 stalls and not able to see the light of day. It's very sad. Horses are herd animals whether they be a stud, mare or gelding.
As a side note: Some people have had good luck with pasturing goats and/or mules with their stallions.
Hope this helps.
Kara
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Post by desperatehorsewife on Jan 28, 2008 16:35:21 GMT -5
 Thought I'd share my companion animals  Not so much for the horse, but the ram was a bit upset as I wouldn't let him in with the ewe (she's bred and he chases her, the bad boy!) Now he tries to head but Jet, but he's figured out pretty quick that she's the boss. |
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Post by lindad on Jan 28, 2008 21:49:05 GMT -5
Thanks to all of you for your input! I have just acquired a13hh sorrel mule that is very docile and hope that they can be pasture pals. He is absolutely kid safe and has been driven as a team as well, so there are a number of jobs for him to do. I'm trying to get ready for the day that I can no longer ride.
My daughter's neighbor has a stallion that is kept with a gelding and the stallion torments the gelding all day. That is unforgivable, but the owner is as crazy as they come. I want all my animals safe and happy. Glad to know that there are success stories and that this is worth a try.
Linda D
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Not so much for the horse, but the ram was a bit upset as I wouldn't let him in with the ewe (she's bred and he chases her, the bad boy!) Now he tries to head but Jet, but he's figured out pretty quick that she's the boss.