Stallion behavior

I am printing this out to use as reference. Thanks a lot for all of the helpful information!

I will keep you all updated on how this breeding/showing season goes!

Like Kristy said, a chain doesn't always have to be cruel. It is meant to be a tool. I always had a chain on my stallion no matter how well he was behaving. That good behavior can change in an instant and can quickly become dangerous. It's something you always have to expect from any stallion. It's true that they should be able to easily be controlled with just a regular halter - and many are but IMO its better to be safe than sorry. Plus the chain gave my stallion something to play with (he was in the mouthy stage) and helped relax him. Some people use a bit instead of a chain. The point is that there's extra control there when you need it. Its sort of like carrying a whip when you ride. Doesn't mean you're going to beat the crap out of the horse, right? Its simply a tool and should be thought of like that.

I don't know, I have a totally different take on this. First of all, I don't think anyone should own a stallion unless/until he/she has experience handling stallions. Whether that is in school, through a mentor or even better by working or volunteering at a breeding facility to gain experience. They are just asking to get hurt.

Second, I never have, nor never will use a chain on any of my stallions. It is not necessary. Why? because my stallions are very well trained. They were trained as babies to respect me and to listen to my demands. If I have to use a chain on a horse they are too agressive and they will be cut. (gelded) I can lead my stallion through a group of mares and he is not allowed to "talk" to them unless he has my say so. If he starts to, I will tell him "Sierra, hush!" give a gentle pop of the halter and he will be quiet. He is only allowed to breed a mare when I say so. I am not mean. He is not beaten or anything like that, he just knows that I am the leadmare and what I say goes. (a stallion in the wild will not breed a mare without her permission or the leadmares permission. Some leadmares will not allow another mare to be bred until they are bred and settled.)

I will not buy an adult stallion. I don't know his training, nor his life experiences. I like to get stallion prospects as weanlings and raise them up myself. You take a risk that way, If they don't grow up how you like, then they must be gelded and you move on. But, I would rather do that and to know what I am getting. That way I am assured quality.

Sounds like you have the option of an ideal situation - not everyone has that option. Though I do agree that before owning a stallion a person should try to get some kind of experience. The more the better.

That sounds ideal, but also quite unrealistic from my experiences. Just my honest opinion.

I am not understanding what is unrealistic? Raising stallions from babies? Or having a well mannered stallion?

I believe it's unrealistic to say that every stallion I encounter and wish to own will be a baby. Many horses will have had previous handling and experience. It would be ideal to get the stallion before any unwanted training, but this of course, isn't always possible. I also think it's impossible to say that no horse requires a chain. I emphasize that the chain is in neutral, but it's like having an emergency brake on a car. You have brakes but the E brake is there for separate occasions. I do agree that some stallions act gelded and need little extra attention. But I've also seen several show stallions that were frequently bred, handled daily and by a good handler, but had excessive energy when bred and not easy to control. Dominating a 1200 pound aggressive stallion can be over whelming, especially when being bred. I believe that each horse is different, requires different necessities, but believe a chain is a good back up if ever needed when handling a stud. I also am extremely picky about buying, and choose a horse I'd be happy with keeping for the rest of my life. Often, the ones I find aren't the youngest but we fit well together.

That is exactly my point. If the stallion is aggressive, then he should be cut.

While it is unrealistic to think that every stallion you encounter
is a baby, (or have known as a baby.) (that is why I recommend training with someone experienced before owning a stallion.) I don't think that it is unrealistic to think that every stallion you own you have raised since a baby. If you want a stallion, you do your research, buy a stud colt, raise him and promote him.

This is how you better the breed. By only breeding as quality as you can to the highest quality you can.

I don't think you understood my point. The stallion I choose and feel extremely compatible with may not necessarily be young. This can't be guaranteed for the fact that I look at all ages to find the one I particularly like. I can find a horse that holds all of the standards I look for, but may be of a different age.
The stallions that are aggressive are top AQHA show horses, they do not deserve to be cut because they require a chain and extra attention. They are large producers with a large amount of show experience and winnings. It'd be like cutting a World Champion Stud because he was aggressive from time to time. It's not worth it. These aren't may horses, I don't have say in the way they run their business, but I do agree with their tactics and would never geld one of their stallions.

I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree then.

IMO if you are aggressive you deserve to be cut. It just IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I don't care if you are "worth" $100 or $1,000,000. MY life is worth more than that to me. If you (or anyone else) wants to work with these guys fine. They (the stallions)can thank their lucky stars they didn't come to my ranch first.