It is apparent to me that far too many people choose to breed to stallions for all the wrong reasons. I believe this has contributed to the decline of many breeds. In the Iberian breeds far too many people have been concerned with the longest mane, the largest horse, etc. Here are some far more important things to consider when looking at a stallion with the idea to breed your mare.
- Does the stallion you are looking at exhibit the inbred intelligence and athletic abilities to do what you want the offspring to possess?
- Does he have a great disposition, not in his stall with his ears pinned or hiding in a corner, no striking or kicking, etc? Does he pass his good disposition to his offspring?
- If you are looking down the road for a beautiful Baroque type high school horse, can the stallion himself perform to this level in a calm and quiet manner, not from fear, tricks or being hit with a stick in his stall to make him piaffe, but from a correct classical progression? Ok, if the answer is yes that is good.
- If the stallion has sired any foals ask how the dispositions of the foals are from the owners. If possible view the offspring in person. You need the disposition, mind and athletic ability to be seen in his offspring as much as possible.
- Consider who can ride the stallion. Is it only the trainer or a very aggressive rider using a lot of leg, hands, whips and spurs? If only the trainer can ride the horse for fear of it hurting someone, do you want your foal like that? Are you good enough to ride him if he turns out like that and even if you are why would you want to?
An example of our breeding philosophy is Lacerate, a 16 hand palomino stallion bred by the President of the Lusitano Association of Portugal and at the time he was imported was the only palomino horse still in Portugal that was awarded points in the stud book. . Here is a horse that I trained that can do all of the high school maneuvers in a calm manner and also that I can put every type of rider that comes to the school on with no fear he will hurt them or won’t perform at what ever level they choose.
The stallions at Baroque Equitation were chosen both for superior bloodlines and the ability in the genes to execute the high school maneuvers. The proof is our horses can be ridden by students, from beginners to advance levels. They don’t strike at the doors, pin their ears when you go to see them in the stall. They are proud but gentle as lambs. |
