Page 20 midwest horse digest April 09
The Need
to
Breed
by Craig Cameron
As all-around riding mounts, geldings make
the best choice because they're consistent day
in and day out. That's one reason why many
ranches prefer them. You'll find that even in a
mixed herd of geldings and mares, squabbling
will take place. The eons-old herd social struc-
ture takes over and there usually will be one
dominant gelding and one dominant mare.
Although geldings are usually more depend-
able, some do act like stallions their whole
lives.
The desire to propagate is great in urges and dominant tendencies. The sweet
all species, and you can't ignore that fact when horse you own and love can turn into a totally
Remember,
it comes to horses. Often, when hormones different animal when nature calls. Never turn
though,
take over and horses feel the need to breed, your back on any stallion. One of the most
when it
their personalities change and that can make important things to teach a stallion lion is when
comes to
them less reliable as riding partners. They can to breed and when not to breed.
perform-
be different one day to the next. It's another When a mare cycles, generally
ance, you
one of those facts about equine nature that every 21 days, her personality might change,
also get a
won't change, so you'll have to learn to deal just like the stallion's, from day to day. Some
little more
with it. mares never seem bothered by hormonal
"life" or
The breeding instinct in a stallion is changes, but enough are that it warrants your
energy
very strong. Never underestimate his powerful investigation and understanding.
with stal-
lions and
mares.
Witness
the high
number of
stallions and mares that populate the futu-
rity finals of high-caliber performance events
such as cutting, reining and working cow
horse. Also, note that the vast majority of ama-
teur and non-professional riders are mounted
on geldings.
A related note on breeding: When
you breed a mare to a stallion, you should look
for the best traits of each - mentally as well as
physically. Although the foal gets 50 percent
from each parent, he lives the first 6 months of
his life with his dam. He'll pick up a lot of the
mare's personality characteristics. If the mare
is bossy or has a poor disposition toward peo-
ple or other horses, many times the foal will
pick up on that. He'll imitate the mare, even
learn to assume her place in the pecking order.
You can see this at the watering hole. The
dominant mare always drinks first and her foal
will bat his ears at any intruders until she's
done drinking. The foal thinks that's the natural
way of things. Him first, other horses second.
Try to select broodmares who have good dis-
positions, good minds, who relate to people
and other horses in a good way.
Good Luck & Ride Smart
Craig Cameron
Get Craig’s book and DVD’s at
www.CraigCameron.com
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