[drivingpairs] Driving stallions

Hey,

    I drive a TB stallion, single, tandem, pair and 4.  He is an
exceptional animal so my experience may not help anyone else on the
issue of pairs.  Monty is an Advance level CDE horse, does pleasure
shows, the 4 of July Parade and gives lessons at the beginner drivers
clinic.  He also was an Event horse and fox hunted.  He has NEVER
behaved rudely in public.  He also breeds during the show season.  (Like
daily during the Southern Pines CDE 2 years ago!)
       I believe he can do this because of two issues.  First and
foremost, he has a personality that understands and obeys the rules.
He's never challenges authority and rules.  Kinda like the "good" kid.
He just likes to behave.  The second reason I believe, is because he was
pasture bred for years and has ALWAYS lived with other horses and that
includes stallion herds in the non breeding seasons.  He's socialized.
He's lived out his entire life, knows how to interact with other horses
and has "horse" manners.
    So when we put him in a pair with one of his pasture mates
(geldings) he was perfect.  Then this year we tried him with his
"wife."  She is a mare he has bred in the past.  He was perfect.  Sure
he tried to mention to her that he's the man but a simple (and typical)
correction with the whip or voice made him perfect.  Of course they are
not a really good pair because they don't match and he does all the work
trying to show off!  Now please understand I did this with a
professional trainer!  And this horse is very broke driving and riding
and knows the difference between work and play.
    So my suggestion is, yes, you might be able to drive them together
but you need to consider the stallions first.  I would also encourage
anyone to make sure you socialize a stallion first.  Horses have ways
that they "talk" and they all need to know the language.  Some stallions
are so isolated that they never learn and become bullies or babies as a
result.  These stallions are not suitable pairs because they don't react
like "horses" and the pair may not "like" them.

Good luck, it is worth a try because stallions can be a lot of fun!

Marcie Quist

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