I Was Told Never Buy a Stallion

From as long as I can remember, I have always loved animals. Well, most of them anyway. But my love for horses has been sort of ingrained in me through my grandfather. He was a well known trainer and showman, predominantly American Saddlebreds and Standardbreds. He put me on my first horse when I was two years old and I think that's where it all started.

Through the years, my dream was always to own my own horse farm, or at the very least, be involved in some way. Either just to own my own horse, become a trainer, show horses and be a breeder. It wasn't until after I had married and had three children that I got my first horse. An 8-month old registered Quarterhorse colt. Because of the kids, I did have him gelded when he was a 2- year old. That was a start, but I did sell him because we were moving and had no place to
keep him.

Years passed by and so did several other horses. Also several other moves, which meant selling my horses again, and again. Ok, my husband hated and was afraid of large animals. He wasn't really keen on dogs either and I had both. Something had to give and it did.

I moved back to Oregon, where I was born and worked very hard to get a place where I could really get serious about my lifelong dream. When I was ready, I started looking for "the" horse. I was actually looking for a mare. That didn't happen. I read an ad in the local paper about a 2-year old Arabian/Pinto colt. Not exactly what I thought I was looking for, but was curious enough to call on the ad and went to see him. To this day, I think there was a guiding hand from
above about this particular horse.

When Oak (Registered name- Ibn Risab) was led out of the stall, we connected in a big way. I'm not kidding. He came right up to me and just laid his head on my shoulder. The owner said he had never done that with anyone before. I was hooked and just had to have him. Stallion or not, this was meant to be and in two days he was mine.

Oak was not just some flea-bitten nag. He was show quality and also would rank as a good breeding stallion in time. But first things first. Training. That started after letting him settle in to his new home. Yes, we had a couple little incidences that you'd expect. First of all, and I think this was from prior handling and he got away with it, he'd rush into his stall. But, excuse me, you aren't running over me! The second time he did that I caught him just right and flipped him over. Really not intentionally, but he wasn't hurt in any way and it did the trick. He never did it again. The second incident was kind of my own fault. I was leaning against his stall watching a new mare I'd bought and out of the corner of my eye caught an open mouth coming at my arm. Knee jerk reaction.......I slugged him in the side of his mouth. To this day he has never tried to bite again.

After working with him for a few months, I started entering him in some local shows, just to see how he would do. One thing I noticed at the show was every other stallion was led around with either a lip chain or the chain over their nose or under their jaw. Oak had a strong halter on and just a lead shank. No chains. He was so gentle and well mannered that all I had to do was say "No", and he would behave. Everyone thought he was a gelding and was shocked to find he was a stallion. I gave myself a virtual pat on the back and was very proud of him. He won his class to. First show and that was just the beginning to a successful
show career.

At three, his training under saddle was started. After a couple weeks, as everything was going very well, I took him out on a BLM road that led up the mountain by my little farm. Naturally he was alert to everything, as it was all new, but remained calm. About half way up one hill he stopped dead in his tracks. I could feel all his muscles start to bunch up, but he didn't move. Didn't even twitch an ear. I took his cue and stayed motionless to. Then off to the right, I heard it. A rustle in the brush. Then saw what it was. A good sized black bear! I thought "Self, I'm either going to get dumped big time, or go for one heck of a ride!" Nope. The bear crossed about 10 feet in front of us and Oak did not budge. The bear went on up the mountain. Oak continued on up the road without further ado.

This story does not end there though. What goes up, must come down. Given the fact that Oak was still very young and just starting his training, I didn't want to push him to hard and go to far. So with that in mind, about 200-300 yards further up the road, I turned him around to head for home. All was going well until we came back to the spot where the bear crossed the road. He froze again! Would NOT budge. I figured he was just scared, so I got off and went around to his
right side, the side the bear went up the mountain, and tried to lead him. No dice. Wouldn't move. I tried at his head. No way. Well, I wasn't sure just what to do and walked around to his left side. When I got dead center on his belly, he walked forward. He was protecting ME!

His show career took off like a shot. He was shown successfully in halter, western classes, trail, English and dressage. The only thing he ever refused was a cart. I didn't push it. It wasn't that important to me.

Both Oak and I are now retired. He's still a champion and has quite a few offspring that are doing very well in the show ring and also as great pleasure horses. Oak is 23 now and enjoying his life in a 3 acre pasture, with neighbors he can talk to. He's earned it.

The moral to this story, which is actually a true one, is that if you are thinking about buying a stallion, don't buy one that you don't connect with and don't buy someone else's problem horse. Actually, that holds true with any horse you buy. Man made problems are the hardest problems to solve. Treat him like a horse, not something to be feared, manhandled or whipped. If you do your homework well and get your horse's respect through kindness, not fear, you should be able to handle your stallion, even during breeding, with a minimum amount of trouble.

Not everyone should handle a stallion though. You have to know what you are doing and what to watch for. Get well educated in your ability to deal with all kinds of horses before considering a stallion. Not everyone will be as fortunate to have a stallion that is like mine, but that took years of handling and training to get him to where I could take him anywhere at any time, even on big trail rides, and know that he will behave like a gentleman.