V 
MANAGEMENT OF THE STALLION 
1. Selection 
In choosing the stallion to head the stud Gay 4 indicates that he should 
possess the proper type and conformation, and should be sound as well 
as being strongest in such points in which the mares he is to be mated 
with are defective. Masculinity is desired and of this Gay mentions 
that the stallion must have “development of forehand, hardness of 
feature, and boldness of demeanor ” which he points out as indicative 
of the “impressive sire.” In referring to the same point, Johnstone 8 
considers it the most important to bear in mind when right conformation 
and soundness go with it. Thus he alludes to a “high-headed, bold, 
noble, masculine presence” as a criterion of promising prepotency. He 
makes the statement that he has never known one to be a breeder with 
the head and neck of a mare. Another athority, Carlson, 6 writes that 
“no horse has ever proved himself a great sire, if not a stallion of most 
pronounced masculinity.” He characterizes masculinity by “the crest, 
the massive jaw, the voice, the hard and fixed expression of the eye, 
the muscular development of the jaw, neck and shoulder, and by his 
action and every movement.” Carlson 6 goes on to say that stallions of 
inferior masculinity produce many colts of low vitality although mated 
with vigorous mares. Pierrot, 7 in speaking for the breeders of the 
Perche, France, asserts that a good deal of character and reproductive 
ability are sought in the stallion as shown by the head, neck, and eye. A 
stallion with “well-crested, swan-curved neck, a clean throatlatch, a well- 
poised head with small, fine ears—an intelligent head above all, with a 
large prominent eye, full of brilliance and fire” is desired. Great empha¬ 
sis is given to the eye, of which Pierrot remarks that he has never seen 
a reproductive stallion whose eyes are of the common type. According to 
Gelder, 8 the front outlook of a stallion should go with “a good crest, bold 
masculine appearance, bright, full hazel eye, a broad, full forehead and a 
strong, wide, well-muscled jaw.” 
The stallion as a different animal, possessing characteristics essential 
for a reproductive male, is described by Blum 9 whose account on the 
subject is quoted in toto, to-wit: 
“The sex character of the stallion is one of his conspicuous features. 
His head is somewhat stronger and larger than that of the mare, and 
his neck much heavier and thicker, with some strength of arch. When 
the stallion is in superior physical vigor and spirits, he tends to carry 
head and neck high, and shows the self-assertion and dominant quality 
of the masculine sex. He should show marked strength of character in 
his head, for it expresses much, whether bold and toplofty, or meek and 
droopy. Some stallions have heads of an effeminate appearance, or 
resemble the gelding in sexless character. Such heads should be dis¬ 
criminated against by both judge and breeder. One could not expect the 
best breeding results from a feminine appearing sire. The neck should 
show some length, rather than be short and steer-like, and be well laid 
with powerful, long muscles. A strong development of hair at the fore¬ 
top and top of the neck, is also a feature of the stallion, the hair tending 
to be coarse rather than fine. The stallion should manifest in his head 
and especially eyes, something of his character, not easy to define, yet 
expressing personality, temperament, disposition, and sexual dominance. 
The sex character of the stallion is also shown in his powerful develop¬ 
ment of bone and muscle, and in his sexual organs. Even when of the 
