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Stallion Group ManagementBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 8, 2010
Turning stallions out in pairs or groups can be moderately risk-free and allows the horses to develop social relationships, according to researchers in Switzerland.
In a study using five stallions, the horses were housed in adjacent stalls for a week during which each stallion was turned out separately to become familiar with the pasture area. When all the stallions were turned out together there was an initial period during which the horses squealed, reared, and kicked out, but there was no specific violence reported. After this period the stallions established a dominance order, grazed peacefully together, and showed social behavior such as mutual grooming.
The study was conducted after the conclusion of breeding season, and there were no mares or other horses visible from the pasture where the stallions were turned out.
