Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I was just at the vet clinic the other day having my
stallion's semen collected for an AI breeding. As we
were there, the vet got a call such as this. He
recommended waiting for the same reason Lif
mentions... it takes them awhile to reach full semen
potential.

I'd add another reason. It takes a strong back and
legs for a stallion to do his job. A 2YO, no matter
how big he is, still is a baby development wise. He
has a lot of growing to do. His muscles, ligaments,
tendons and bones still are immature. You could risk
permanent injury asking a boy to do a man's job.

That said, I haven't yet had a colt that I've wanted
to keep a stud. They get gelded in their first year
becuase, immature or not, pasture accidents do happen!

chris

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> > Now, I'd like to ask another question.  In your
> collective opinion, what 
> > is the best age to breed a colt / stallion?  I lean
> towards 6 years old, 
> > but I know that the breeding yards like to get
> those boys busy from as 
> > young as 2.  Any thoughts?
> If someone is paying for a breeding to a two year
> old, I hope there's a 
> live foal guarantee, because not all two year olds
> have viable sperm.  I 
> wouldn't breed a stud till he was older.  Maybe a
> limited breeding - one 
> mare, maybe two - at four.  But I've been Arabians
> (Crabbet/Polish), and 
> they seem to get their full hormonal package later
> than other breeds.  I 
> certainly wouldn't breed a stud very much till I
> knew what he could 
> actually do.  Beauty is only skin deep, after all!
>
> That said, I do leave my colts over a year or 18
> months with an experienced 
> older mare or two that I wouldn't mind getting a
> foal or foals out 
> of.  Living with mares teaches a stud good manners
> right from day one.  My 
> 6 year old stallion lives with a 31 year old mare. 
> He wouldn't dream of 
> saying boo to her unless she invited him to.  She
> never does!  He's learned!
>
> ________________________________
>     Lif Strand      fasterhorses.com
>             Quemado NM USA
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> If you treat an Arab like a Thoroughbred, it will
> behave like a Quarter
> horse. 
> ~  Libby Llop
>
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> http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
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"A good horse makes short miles," George Eliot

Chris and Star

BayRab Acres
http://pages.prodigy.net/paus
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There is something really special about getting to ride all day, and all
night on your horse. I know that a lot of people like to get finished, and
get it over with. Yes, it is a lot of work. But, realize that each ride,
especially a 100 is a really special gift and savor it for all it is worth. 
~  Karen Chaton

ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/

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