Mounted search and rescue

[pennbo@bbv.net]

I have edited Una's post below- to emphasize the parts I feel are really
really important! <G> A well behaved stallion is just a well behaved
horse- period. However with that said, our unit does not allow them.
Unfortunately there are too many badly behaved stallions out there that
have earned their gender a bad rap and many folks can't get beyond that.
That's the first reason. The second is that sometimes we must leave our
horses altogether in a group, unattended, or semi-attended. I feel it
would be asking a lot of a stallion to ignore a mare in season if he is
tied right up next to her. It's just easier, and safer, to have no
stallions. And yes, everytime I have seen a problem with a stallion it
has been the mare or the mare's rider's fault. Still, since most
geldings and mares get along all right that makes it a non-issue. Also
insurance can be a huge problem for groups that allow stallions. This is
unfortunate I know. There are a lot of very nice stallions out there.

Chris Pennington


Una Smith wrote:

> Okay...
>  My personal take is
> that any such policy is not on target:  the policy should be
> that the horse must be well mannered in company with any other
> horses.  No matter what.
>
> The most common problem with stallions, I am told, is not the
> stallion at all, but rather mares who react to his presence.
>  Nasty mare
> behavior equals rider error.
>