I own a beautiful grey 10 year old Dutch Warmblood Stallion named Patrick. I imported him from Holland when he was 4 years old. I didn't plan on buying a stallion when I went to Holland, but he was the right price, the right age, and had a great pedigree. He was also very sweet and friendly and stole my heart on our first meeting. The fact that he had very good conformation and beautiful gaits only sealed the deal.
One of the first things I learned about owning a stallion is that they get a lot of attention from other people as well as other horses. Some people are afraid of him and some are in awe of him, but they all admire him. Stallions are by nature the guardians of the herd, so they notice everything new and different. They are usually brave and bold and this can really enhance their performance in the show ring. The rider must develop a solid trusting relationship with a stallion because they are sensitive to every little change and must keep their attention focused in order to perform well.
A well trained breeding stallion knows when it is time for work and when it is time for breeding and while he will notice the mares around him, if he is being worked, he will behave like a gentleman and others will not see any evidence that he is interested.
Owning a breeding stallion means that everything that is done with him must be the best it can possibly be. He is always on display. You always want him clean and presented in the best tack (equipment) possible. You want to put the best riders on him that you can and not show him until you are sure that he is ready to perform at the top of his abilities. This can be difficult sometimes for the amateur rider, but I have taken the position that the fact that an amateur rider can ride and show him, whether or not they do well, is a testimony to his sweet nature - something most people want to see in the offspring he produces. I have put him in the show ring with both professional and amateur riders with good results.
I have had people ask me why I keep him a stallion. Stallions can be dangerous, difficult and in the U.S. most stallions don't earn enough in breedings to pay their keep. My answer: He has never given me reason to geld (castrate) him and he is producing beautiful babies that are going to be wonderful horses for someone else!
One of the first things I learned about owning a stallion is that they get a lot of attention from other people as well as other horses. Some people are afraid of him and some are in awe of him, but they all admire him. Stallions are by nature the guardians of the herd, so they notice everything new and different. They are usually brave and bold and this can really enhance their performance in the show ring. The rider must develop a solid trusting relationship with a stallion because they are sensitive to every little change and must keep their attention focused in order to perform well.
A well trained breeding stallion knows when it is time for work and when it is time for breeding and while he will notice the mares around him, if he is being worked, he will behave like a gentleman and others will not see any evidence that he is interested.
Owning a breeding stallion means that everything that is done with him must be the best it can possibly be. He is always on display. You always want him clean and presented in the best tack (equipment) possible. You want to put the best riders on him that you can and not show him until you are sure that he is ready to perform at the top of his abilities. This can be difficult sometimes for the amateur rider, but I have taken the position that the fact that an amateur rider can ride and show him, whether or not they do well, is a testimony to his sweet nature - something most people want to see in the offspring he produces. I have put him in the show ring with both professional and amateur riders with good results.
I have had people ask me why I keep him a stallion. Stallions can be dangerous, difficult and in the U.S. most stallions don't earn enough in breedings to pay their keep. My answer: He has never given me reason to geld (castrate) him and he is producing beautiful babies that are going to be wonderful horses for someone else!
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