Are Arabian Stallions Different Than Other Horses?

You bet they are! All stallions are very different from geldings and mares no matter what the breed and Arabian stallions are different from other stallions. The differences between other breeds’ stallions and Arabian stallions are probably not much more than those things that distinguish Arabian horses from other horses. But when the horse is a stallion things can get more complicated.

The number one instinct in all stallions is to breed. They are as simple and as complex as teenage boys. Sex is number one on their mind whether they’re at work or play, standing in their stall or walking on the hot-walker. Even food and water do not outrank breeding on a stallion’s list of things to do. The only way food or water will every take priority over breeding is if that stallion is dangerously malnourished and/or dehydrated.

Since breeding is such an explosive and physical event between two 1000 lb animals, it is dangerous and should never be taken lightly. Because breeding is the priority for stallions, someone who is not accomplished should never handle a stallion, even if breeding is NOT the reason the stallion is being handled. If you aren’t experienced enough to deal with a breeding gone wrong, you shouldn’t be handling a stallion. From an article My Horse Bites , Pat Parelli states that he forbids his instructors to handle stallions until they have completed levels three or four in his program. If you are handling a stallion and you are not qualified to do so, you are not only endangering your life but you are endangering the lives of those around you.

In our part of the country it’s very common for prize rides and donation rides to forbid the use of stallions, just because so many people bring stallions who can not handle them.

While most breeds handle their stallions with chains, you rarely will see an Arabian stallion being lead with anything more than a halter and a regular lead. The horses are smart, sensitive and willing. They are known for wanting to please. They will do anything for you, given the opportunity. But, as I stated in my post about Arabian horses, you can’t bully an Arabian horse and you better be even more careful with an Arabian stallion. Arabian stallions do not tolerate abuse many will fight back.

With that being said, well-trained Arabian stallions are known to be remarkably sensitive and well-behaved animals. The Arabian Horse Association is the only breed that allows junior exhibitors to show stallions in hand and under saddle. (That rule does restrict stallions from being show by children in walkt trot classes where riders are 10 & under.) When I first started in horses about twenty years ago, I remember a remarkable story that was published either in the Arabian Horse Times or the Arabian Horse World.

It was the last night of the US National Championships and they had just finished the finals for the US National Champion Stallion class. All ten of the top ten stallions were still in the ring, snorting and blowing and strutting their stuff. When the announcer invited the crowd into the ring to meet the stallions up close and personal, they went wild. The horses loved it, showing off even more. To make this long story short, people poured down onto the arena floor to see the horses up close. In the crowd was a blind woman, her way to “see” these horses was to run her hands over their entire bodies. As she approached each stallion, the horse got soft and quiet. Standing ever so still while the blind woman ran her hands over his entire body. Only after the blind woman had moved on to the next horse, did the stallion resume its animated display. This scene was repeated as the woman felt her way completely through the line of top ten stallions.