More on Stallions and Connection

Right, we were talking about stallions and that they can be difficult to handle, especially if they feel you don’t respect them or you try to lower their position. Instead of fighting with a stallion to gain control after the bond and respect have been established it is best to put them to a task that brings connection like the Uberstreichen exercises or ask for something you know would bring back his focus, which in turn will bring connection. Sometimes all that is necessary is to take him to the place he felt connected with you because territory has a great affect on the attitudes of horses.

For instance if a stallion sees a horse that causes him to get out of control I will take him back to the exact spot or area I was riding or working with him where he was last calm and connected with me. I make a choice once I am in the area that creates control and I might choose whether to ask him to stand and gain relaxation or to circle in a relaxed manner. I must be flexible and work towards connection and not be emotional and/or forceful if it creates more disturbances in the stallion. Stallions are better left in the hands of people who are skilled in stallion management. Stallions learn fast but not as fast as mares.

You must be able to think ahead and keep an eye on what is taking place around you that could divert a stallion’s focus, which can change his attitude in a flash. Oddly enough, stallions are easy to train once you have developed the skill in how to manage them. Many times stallions appear to be born trained - it is their attention to detail that gives them the ability to learn. They also like having a job to do. The focus in handling stallions should be on building the care-taking instincts. It is important for a stallion to judge that your interest with them lies in wanting to “win” his respect and trust because of your interest to bond rather than dominate.

The Waterhole Rituals™ help to work on setting boundaries with a stallion and showing him that you respect his boundaries and then allowing him to dissolve your boundaries when he is polite. It is important that he develops the friendship with you on his terms when it fits in with your terms. Some stallions are so hormonal that they are happier in life being gelded. Many times racehorses run faster as geldings than they did as stallions.

Stallions do not shy at things as much as mares and geldings and if they do it is generally a way to dominate the rider or horses that they are trying to impress. Many times young stallions need to grow into their confidence or need to have boldness diminished a bit by teaching manners and developing coping skills by a person who understands how to do this without creating more trauma for the horse. From practicing the Waterhole Rituals™ you will develop your skill automatically to handle stallions, mares, and geldings.

I have noticed that people are focused on understanding an individual’s personality rather than being focused on understanding the nature of horses in general. A horse will share with you everyday “who” he is. He cannot hide who he is. If you know the nature of horses, it develops your ability to handle any horse’s personality in any situation. You will know how to handle any spontaneous situations that might occur to keep the partnership and
performance at its best.

Carolyn Resnick
Horsemanship from the Ground Up