Is this your next career move?
A stallion handler is responsible for the care, handling, and management of stallions. This can include tasks such as feeding and watering, grooming, exercise, and veterinary care. Additionally, stallion handlers may be responsible for breeding and managing the breeding schedule for the stallions in their care.
Stallion handlers must have a strong understanding of equine behavior and must be able to handle and manage stallions safely and effectively. They must be physically fit and able to handle the demands of the job, which can include lifting heavy equipment, working in all weather conditions, and being on their feet for extended periods of time.
In addition to physical requirements, stallion handlers must also have good communication skills and be able to work well with other people, including owners, trainers, and veterinarians. They must also be knowledgeable about the industry and stay current on new developments and best practices in stallion care and management.
Overall, the job of a stallion handler is demanding but rewarding for those who have a passion for horses and the equine industry. It requires a combination of physical ability, technical knowledge, and interpersonal skills to be successful in this role.
What does a stallion handler do?
A stallion handler first studies the stallions carefully. They must understand the actions and reactions of each stallion in every situation and really get to know them.
Instead of allowing the stallion to do what they want, the stallion handler first guides and teaches them how to walk calmly on the lead, be friendly when being groomed and fed and not rush and hurt the mares or handler during mating. They are also responsible for ensuring the stallion is healthy and fit.
The top stallion handler always tries to gain the horse’s faith, attention and trust. They do not believe in physically dominating the stallion as this is a very cruel way to manage your beloved horse.
Abilities you need to handle the stallions:
Stallion handling requires a few exceptional abilities that incorporate good skills in studying stallion’s psychology, behaviours, and confidence to handle stallions.
Stallion handlers are people who have professional knowledge of handling horses.
Ways to manage breeding stallions
There are three ways followed by stallion handlers to manage the breeding. Those are natural, confinement/isolation management, or artificial insemination collection.
In the case of the natural way, this permits a stallion to run in a field with a crowd of mares, in a natural herd setting, the mares then become pregnant. The main disadvantages of the natural process are that the stallion or mares can get injured or hurt during the process. Another drawback is that the stallions may fight with each other and break the fences or maybe they mate with the wrong mare.
In the case of isolation management, most of these problems are solved. This process is done in a little yard or corrals with a solid fence. The mare is held in the yard and the stallion is brought and led to mount and bred with her. This however can cause some psychological changes with stallions. They develop some aggressive behaviours and an unstable mindset. For optimal health, you need to give them balanced nutrition and sufficient exercise.
Many times the managers allow these stallions for a daily turnout time in the field or many stallions are also ridden and competed with. Being out and about allows the stallion to smell, hear and see other animals. All these activities are done for their mental stability.
The third way of Artificial Insemination collection is the process of introducing semen (fresh, chilled, or frozen) into the Mare’s reproductive tract without natural mating. Artificial insemination offers loads of benefits that are not available via live cover, however, this is more expensive and can cause isolation so just like isolation management there needs to be a big balance in nutrition and exercise for the stallion for their mental care.
What breeding options does your stud do? We would love to hear some more pro’s and con’s and how you overcome them.
If you’re looking for a step up from another stud position, check out any Stallion handler positions we currently have or talk to Equine Staff about a Stallion Handler position.
