MANAGEMENT OF THE STALLION 
21 
teasing space and after the stallion’s sexual desire has been aroused he 
could usually be made to cover the former mare. 
When the mare is ready for the male, Sanders 46 recommends that the 
stallion be led up to about ten or fifteen feet on the left side of the mare 
with his head about opposite the mare’s head. As soon as the stallion is 
ready, he is then led to the mare but he must be kept from lifting his 
fore-feet up from afar and instead the mount should be allowed on the 
side of the mare. Rushing the stallion to the mare is objected to. 
Sanders mentions that the greatest danger from kicks is on dismounting 
so he advises the groom holding the mare’s bit to pull it by a sudden 
jerk with his left hand towards him during the time that the stallion is 
coming off. 
For uncontrollable, headstrong stallions a special bridle is advocated. 
Relative to procuring the most effective type and the manner of using it, 
Sanders 46 writes: “The one that I have found most effectual is made 
by taking an ordinary ‘snaffle’ bit, with rings of moderate size, and with 
the head piece made in the usual way; get a blacksmith to attach a well- 
polished, round iron bar to the right-hand ring, by means of a small 
link connecting the bar and the ring; to the other end of the bar 
attach the usual sliding rein used on stallion bridles. Put 
the bridle on the horse in the usual way, and then, with the right hand 
on the bar and the left on the bridle-ring next to you, press the bar back 
and the ring forward until the bar will pass through the ring in the left 
hand. This bar should be made just as long as it can be to admit of its 
being passed into the other ring in this manner, and the bit and rings 
should be so adapted to the size of the mouth and underjaw that, when 
a little pressure is brought to bear upon the rein attached to the end of 
the lever formed by this iron bar, the rings of the bit will be brought 
within an inch of touching each other. The leverage given by this ap¬ 
pliance, when well fitted, will enable any one to hold the most unruly 
and headstrong horse in check . . . When the bar is not needed the 
rein to which it is (attached may be passed over the head and down 
through the ring on the near side, instead of under the jaw.” 
Johnstone 5 desires a special breeding plant which he prefers should be 
a shed with a firm surface. It should be away from public sight and 
dwellings. On one side of this the teasing stall is to be constructed, 
with the wall of the shed or fence on the offside. The stall should be 
about the width of the standing stall ini the stable, and for the poles set 
two pieces about eight feet apart parallel to the wall. To these posts, 
3 feet and 8 inches from the ground should be bolted a six-inch pole of 
tough wood, whose bark should be removed and the corners and edges 
smoothed. It is further advocated that a small enclosure be provided 
nearby for the foal. So a small but strong pen is to be constructed 
right in front of the teasing stall. Having led the mare into the stall 
the stallion is gotten from the barn and directed at right angles to the 
mare. It is not desired that the stallion be allowed to rear or fuss when 
approaching the mare nor is it good that the stallion teases the mare 
for an undue length of time. 
To insure safety on the part of the stallion, Johnstone 5 wants the mare 
hobbled even though she is an individual of good disposition. Some pre¬ 
cautions should be borne in mind; the hobbles should be fairly tight. 
And in leading the stallion to the mare the groom should bring him by 
the mare’s side and not by the rear. Also, the stallion should not be 
brought within kicking range of the mare. 
According to Johnstone, 5 it is best to break the stallion so that he 
may be led and controlled only with a cotton rope halter. 
To break a stallion for the stud service, Carlson 6 advises that he should 
right from the first mare be trained to serve in the proper manner. A 
quiet mare is necessary and, besides, two men on each side of her. The 
