A HERDSMAN'S HANDBOOK FOR THE MODERN HOMESTEADER

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If you have a youngster that you think might like to ride, then, be sure to provide an opportunity for him to gain the proper experience without any parental or peer-group pressure. Competitive coercion frequently forces children (and adults) into areas of endeavor that are not truly satisfying and this should be avoided at any cost.

When you've decided that you really do want a horse, your next step is to picture—in your mind's-eye—the "'ideal" animal. You'll want to consider several factors before you make your final decision. Some of the points will not apply to every situation, but we do need to look at each one in some depth.

Several years ago I was acquainted with a retired cowboy who had spent many years on the rodeo circuit. His knowledge of horses and people was phenomenal. One bit of wisdom that I gleaned from our many conversations is especially worthy of being passed on to you. "Stallions are only good for breedin' mares... mares are only good for havin' foals, and the only good workin-horse is a geldin."

I didn't agree with that old cowboy at the time, since it was then popular to own and ride stallions. Today, however after having owned a stallion for several years—I know he was right. The prestige of riding a spirited stallion in no way compensates for the many problems associated with its day-to-day care and management.

Stallions, just like other large domestic male animals, should never be trusted. They're too quick to take advantage of any sign of weakness, even on the part of an experienced handler. Women, especially, should be cautious around them, since stallions are very sensitive to the changes in body chemistry experienced by women in the various stages of the menstrual cycle.

When allowed to run with a band of mares, stallions are relatively, inattentive to their trainer and tend to resist any type of schooling. (I suppose they're too worried about their harem to really pay attention!) If they're penned away from other horses, they become unruly and often dangerously aggressive. Even seemingly gentle stallions turn cantankerous and unpredictable as they grow older.

Many folks claim that stallions have more stamina and endurance than mares or geldings, but an examination of the results of the longer trail rides seems to dispute this idea. Under conditions of maximum performance, the stallions are usually the first to give up, then the mares. The well conditioned geldings outstrip them all . . . not only in stamina and strength; but also in terms of the willingness to compete

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