Islam forbids the gelding of horses. In countries such as Spain and Portugal, it is considered beneath the dignity of a true equestrian to ride anything other than a noble stallion (with exceptions being made for outstanding mares). (The Bedouin tribes of Arabia, however, preferred mares for their raiding warfare, while among the Mongols of Chingis Khan gelding was widely practised.) In Tsarist Russia stallions were far more common than geldings, even among cavalry horses. The ancient Greeks rode stallions bareback into battle. In many parts of the world, stallions are still far commoner than geldings, and it is now commonplace for entires to take part in a variety of equestrian disciplines. So why do we, in Britain, still have such a prejudice against the keeping and riding of entires?

I think it is largely a question of culture. For several hundred years, the main equestrian occupations of the British were racing and hunting, and although entires did of course race, stallions were relatively uncommon on the hunting field. Cavalry officers and generals did sometimes ride stallions (the Duke of Wellington's Copenhagen being one example), but for those who could afford to ride for leisure, mares and geldings were the rule. This was mainly due to a lingering perception that stallions are aggressive and difficult to manage.

A well-mannered stallion: Nivalis is so gentle that he will take a mint from your mouth without ever grazing you with his teeth

This may be so in some cases, but it doesn't have to be. Properly brought up and managed stallions, provided one gives them the respect they deserve, can present very little more difficulty than mares or geldings. This can apply to serving stallions as well as those who have never been used for breeding. While it's true that the former can tend to become distracted more easily than the latter, managing them just means being extra vigilant and aware of how they might react to the presence of mares or geldings, or - especially - other entires.

You do of course need to be conscious of any stallion's heightened awareness and reactiveness, and the fact that he is potentially more aggressive than a gelding would be. This means anticipating his reactions in a variety of situations, and knowing how to deal with possible problems before they arise. It involves a few elementary precautions, such as making sure you have control over your stallion when leading him out or riding him; ensuring that he can't escape and run amok among other horses, as well as not putting yourself in a situation where you could get hurt. You will also need to devote more time to him than you might to another horse; most stallions thrive on a one-to-one basis, and entires of some breeds - especially Arabians - can become extremely attached to their human riders and handlers.

Many stallions thrive on human relationships: Nivalis with a young friend

Certainly, there are any number of stallions about who seem to confirm all the usual prejudices about entires. There are all too many who seem to lack even the most basic manners, who bite and strike out, rear, and threaten their handlers in a number of ways. All of this is unnecessary, as well as unacceptable. I'm not saying that all stallions are potential angels; every horse is very much an individual, just as humans are. However, such dangerous behaviour is almost always the result of inappropriate management; too many stallions are kept confined for long periods, deprived of all social contact with their own kind, and denied the kind of mental stimulus which would make even the most boisterous and potentially difficult character much more tractable. I know of numerous examples of difficult, not to say dangerous, stallions, whose behaviour and general temper have been transformed by firm yet sympathetic handling on the part of owners and trainers who have understood the words of a wise old horseman: 'With stallions, you have to get them on your side. Then they'll do anything for you.'

Yet so many stallions have their lives blighted by their owners' inability to realise that horses are geared to co-operation, not confrontation. These owners have bought the story which says you must 'dominate' a stallion, in order to 'show him who's boss'. That's a false concept, which needs an article to itself. For now all I will say is that yes, you must establish respect, but that this has nothing to do with domination, or showing anyone 'who's boss'. It has instead to do with mutual understanding, and establishing a partnership, in which one party holds the controlling interest, but the other still has a voice. This means being firm but fair; never arbitrary, yet consistent without rigidity; flexible without being lax, and taking the trouble to listen to your horse. Stallions repay this courtesy with interest!

Mental stimulation helps to make a stallion more tractable: Nivalis enjoys performing simple tricks N.B. it's not generally a good idea to use a bale of straw for this kind of thing: you really need a more stable base

So what are the benefits of keeping a horse entire? Well, as I said above, every horse is very much an individual, and a great deal depends on the breed in question; but in general you will have a horse who is potentially much more sensitive and responsive than a gelding or a mare might be. He will have more presence, and may well have enhanced athletic ability, due at least in part to the action of his hormones. If you establish mutual respect, and gain his acceptance as a friend and partner, he will be more trainable, and more obedient, than the average gelding.

Indeed, I know one farrier who would infinitely prefer to work with well-mannered stallions, because he says that once they know what is expected of them, they are much easier to handle than most mares or geldings. Many circus trainers prefer to use stallions, not only because of their extra presence, but also because of this 'trainability' factor. For the same reason, they are used in academic institutions such as the Spanish Riding School, and by some stunt riders and trainers, such as Gerard Naprous.

Continues........

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