Even though a stallion is usually the most economically valuable individual, the majority of management influence is generally placed on the broodmare and increasing her reproductive performance. Consider that stud fees are often a major source of income for a breeding farm. In addition, the mare care accrued while a mare is being bred adds to the profit margin of the ranch managing the stallion. But in today’s tight economic conditions, mare owners often insist their mares spend as little time as possible at the breeding farm, sometimes even taking the mare home as soon as she ovulates. These new constraints put more pressure on the stallion manager to get the optimum reproductive efficiency from his stallion. Consider also the genetic influence of a stallion in his lifetime as seen through numbers of progeny, compared to the number of progeny from a single mare.

To perform at an optimum level of efficiency, a stallion should be carefully managed year round. Basic management begins with a proper feeding program, vaccination program, shoeing schedule and exercise regime. In addition, a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the stallion along with an understanding of potential problem areas is helpful when implementing sound management practices.

In handling and managing stallions, the manager needs to remember that the horse is a higher social animal. In horse breeding his social interaction with other members of his species is restricted to the breeding area. This limitation should be kept in mind as attempts are made to modify a stallion’s behavior.

For more information, see the following publications: