Competing the Young Stallion

[ACountingRider]

It appears I will be spending more time on this side of COTH, as I just was entrusted with a new ride, a young pony stallion. This is not my first stallion in training, or young horse, but this will be my first time having a stallion longer term to compete. (My previous interaction only involved starting one for 90 days.) But I have a deal of experience starting young horses and bringing them along to competitions. As well as the nature of taking them to collect, from my family’s small program.

He will be collecting, though has not yet, but we have a nearby vet who will train them to a phantom. He has been started under -saddle, and so far appears to have a great temperment, and was settled in my barn with other horses. He knickered a few times as a mare walked by his stall, but he was overall fairly quiet and a good boy.

We will be eventing, which will bring its own set of risks. Starting my young horses, I’m adamant about good ground manners, and he’ll be getting out and about schooling this spring and summer.

Other than this, does anyone have any suggestions or tips?

[fordtraktor]

I used to work in a jumper barn with lots of stallions. My best advice is to be aware of the stalling situation – let the show know you have a stallion so you can get an end stall/one surrounded by geldings, make sure your neighbors know he’s a stallion so they don’t hang out beside him chatting with a mare, etc. Also be aware of positioning him on the trailer.

We just handled them kindly but no nonsense and always kept work and “play” separate. They knew when coming off the trailer if they were getting collected (vet) or were showing (horse show). Don’t let them talk to mares when they are in work mode/keep their focus on you. Otherwise they are a lot like any other horse.

We did always have a chain on the young ones’ noses when handling them out of the stall at “away” locations so we could get their attention quickly if needed but the occasional older stallion may or may not need it. Also, never let inexperienced staff deal with the stallions until you are sure it is going to go well. A young or ill-behaved stallion getting loose at a show is extra bad news.

Stallions can be a joy and easy to handle but they have to prove this to me first! A good tempered stallion is like any other horse. I used to show a stallion as a junior who was just a lovebug – probably the easiest horse in the barn.

[khall]

It can be a good idea to have his “stallion” halter (one he is collected in) and his “work” halter. Or use the shank differently so he can determine the difference between work and collecting. Using a phantom should help. I always handled the stallions firmly but fair.