Stallion Management

Andrew Perryman
General Manager
Goldin Farms
www.goldinfarms.com.au
Background
• Raised on family owned thoroughbred rearing property near Mount Gambier.
• Diploma in Horse Husbandry and Management, University of Adelaide
(Roseworthy Campus)
• Yearling groom Mill Park Stud
• Stud Hand and Area Manager at Coolmore Australia
• Assistant Yearling Manager (150 yearlings)
• Managed Resident Foaling for 3 years (200 mares)
• Serving Barn Coordinator & Stallion Groom (16 stallions)
incl. Danehill, Galileo, & Encosta De Lago
• Stallion Groom @ Ashford Stud (Coolmore America, Kentucky) -16 stallions
• Stud Hand – Juddmonte Farm USA (Kentucky)
• Stud Hand – Coolmore Ireland (Fethard)
• Assistant Stud Manager – Gooree Park Stud, Mudgee
• Stud Manager – Ingham's Woodlands Cootamundra
Four stallions (Domesday, Quest for Fame, & Strategic) and 120 yearlings p.a
• Stud Manager – Darley Woodlands, Hunter Valley
Eight stallions (Lonhro, Octagonal, Exceed and Excel, Commands) and 200 yearlings
• General Manager – Goldin Farms, Lindsay Park, Angaston
Akeed Mofeed and 60 yearlings p.a
• SATBA Committee Member (SA Thoroughbred Breeders Inc)
Discussion Topics
1. Health
2. Handling/Grooming
3. Feeding
4. Reproduction
What topics would you like to
discuss/learn?
Stallion
 Stallion Health
Caring for your most valuable Bloodstock Asset
Monitoring
• Know your stallions behaviour, is he being himself?
• Finer details– injuries, swellings, lumps or bumps
• Feed & Water intake
• Manure output
• Annual Veterinary Health Check
Temperature
• Establish a normal temperature range for your stallion
• Check regularly during the week
• A high temperature can effect sperm production and fertility
down the track
Body Condition
• Visually assess the stallion regularly to maintain a standard body condition
• Weigh regularly, if required, your eye may be enough
Vaccinations
• Tetanus/Strangles & or other requirements for international travel
Hoof care
• Try to remove shoes - Aids in hoof health and is kinder on the mares at covering time
• Regular trimming to keep good shape and condition for client inspections
• Good walking surfaces, minimal stone chipping/bruises
Fencing/Yarding
• Safety ‘Buffer zone’, paddock position where there’s no physical contact with other
horses
• Safe higher fences
• Paddock the stallion in an area where he wont be stirred up by other horses moving
or running around
• Small paddock of 1-3 acres (don’t need much area grazing/running if being stabled)
• Rugs in the paddock (depends on the stallion)
Mental Health
• Importance of routine (feed & handling times)
• Other company (companion)
• Teaser or other stallions location is important (not to upset the stallion)
• Develop vices (attacking the handler, self-mutilator, box walker or wind sucker)

Stallion Seasonal Covering Numbers

• Most Stallions can comfortably cover 100 mares per season September to December
• 3 mares/day to maximise long term fertility and longevity
• Libido, demand, ethics & finances will ultimately determine
covering numbers
Insurance
• Requirements depend on Business structure/Risk strategy
• First Season Fertility

Many other areas for Consideration.

Handling/Grooming
Unpredictable animals
• Don’t take any chances with stallions
• Whenever handling/grooming, always catch the stallion with a head collar and lead or
bit/chain, dependent on the horse
• No treats – can forms bad habits when not available, but expecting a treat
Handling in the covering shed
• Chain shank, Bit, Bridle, extreme cases muzzle may be required
• Well trained handlers and support staff are all important for safety and ultimately
good covers & fertility
Exercise
• Hand walking
• Lunging
• Covering regularly – good exercise
• Riding for fitness is not as popular, but still done (Risk Management?)
Grooming
• Soft brushes for tails (avoid combs as they pull and thin the tail hairs)
• Wash mane and tails regularly
• Body wash not as often to keep oils in the coat (use minimal shampoo)
Feeding
FIT NOT FAT! …Stallions are prone to being overweight
• Visual Inspection, monitor condition
• Quality feed rations are so important
• Mindful of feet issues/laminitis – too cresty/heavy topped
• Constant Protein (15% protein)
• Quality water access
‘Rising plane of nutrition’ Something we hear a lot about
• Increase Energy level with workload – breeding season & sperm production
Premixed Feeds
• Convenience and consistent (make any feed changes slowly)
• Scientifically balanced - fibre, energy, protein, moisture and roughage
Hay
• Good Quality Meadow hay – monitor protein
• Or Lucerne hay with high calcium level
may be difficult to find low protein hay
• Mineral /Salt licks
• Supplements & Oils (personal choice)
Reproduction
Covering Season
• Increase daylight hours (artificial lights) and warmth (rug/heat lamps) leading into
breeding season (replicate Spring)
• Swab Stallion Urethra, Fossa & Sheath prior & during season (mare load dependant)
• Schedule/Frequency/Timing
• Stallion libido and size of book dictates covering frequency
• Minimum 5 hour gap between coverings, try and do AM & PM (biggest gap possible)
• No correlation between covering session (AM, Noon or PM cover) and fertility or pregnancy
rates.
Covering Techniques Safety the Priority…
Hand Cover in safe area (Control & Protect Stallion Asset)
Covering Shed
 Adequately trained handlers and enough help
• Tease & Jump mares immediately prior to covering (receptive to
stallion) Try to get the mare to urinate prior to cover (empty bladder)
• Back maiden mares with teaser to reduce risk of unpredictable
behaviour while covering with the stallion
 Mare holder positions mare in a balanced stance/position, second person
may be required to assist with balance (one jump cover should be the
aim)
 Keep foals in a safe area away from the stallion, but close enough where
the mare is able to see her foal, remains calm
 One person holds the mares, another person holds the tail and guides the
penis
 Check the stallions ejaculation pulse each cover
• Good covering shed experiences are so important – bad experiences can
effect the stallions future performance
• Reinforcing semen in troublesome mares or stallions is now allowed by
the Australian Stud Book
• Techniques for slow breeders (mix it up)
• Hand cover outside or in a different environment
• Introduce a tease mares to the covering shed, multiple if required
 Paint/Clydesdales or Grey mares
 Natural paddock cover – Higher risk of injury to Stallion, mares &
foals
Covering Shed
Artificial Insemination/Embryo Transfer (not an option for
Thoroughbred’s)

Equipment
• Mound in shed/non slip mats – For taller mares and
or short stallions
• Twitch
• Neck cape/shield
• Roll for maiden mare/well endowed stallion
• Hind boots (padded) – remove mares hind shoes
• Front leg strap (USA)
• Side line hobbles
Equipment
Neck Shield Covering Boots

Protective Rollers
Important checks - Mare Walk in protocols
• Identification - Scan for microchip or check ID papers
• Registration with the Australian Stud Book
• Breeding Service contract
• Prepare mares before cover with Vulva wash, tail wrapping,
check for Pox (red spots) & Casslick/Staples
• Vaccinations & Clitoral/Uterine Swab requirements
Work Health and Safety
• Trained staff to handle mare/stallion
• Only those required should be in the covering shed
• Covering shed design (minimise corners)
• Non slip dust & free flooring (bark chip, shredded rubber or
mats)
• Padded walls in the covering shed (budget restrictions)
• PPE for staff (training & good awareness most important)
• Helmets
• Vests Akeed Mofeed on his
way to the covering
• Safe footwear shed.
Testing, Swabbing & Management
• Prior to the season swab stallion Sheath, Urethral & Fossa
(check for sexually transferable diseases)
• Wash stallion penis prior to season, smegma balls accumulate (soapy warm water)
• Clitoral & Uterine swab of mares – protect against Pseudomonas and Klebsiella
• Dismount sample into cup, test sperm quality under microscope
• Busy stallion – use the same vet for mares (mares compared and prioritised)
• Accurate covering records to be kept for Australian Stud Book and Office
Management

Transport Swab
Hygiene
Vet Crush
• Clean facilities post cover (crush & covering barn)
• Disinfect/wash equipment (twitches must be dipped/disinfected)
• Avoid nose to nose contact with the stallion (strangles & viruses)
• Handlers should wear disposable gloves
• Disposable tail bandages used
• Use separate covering shed and or foal pen for visiting horses
• Wash stallion post cover with warm water hose, common USA
(? maintain Natural Flora)
• Closed mare herd (not covering outside mares) reduces risks of
introducing disease and safety hazards of dealing with unknown
horses
 Andrew Perryman
General Manager
Goldin Farms
www.goldinfarms.com.au