FINAL EXAM: Stallion Behavior

Question 1

Types of bands

Answer 1

Harem band: main family
Bachelor band: males not attached to harem
Transitional: less often, young M&F

Question 2

What do natural setting herds include?

Answer 2

multiple harem and some bachelor

Question 3

Harem band

Answer 3

1 stallion
Mature mares
Young offspring
Assistant harem stallion
Membership stable year round

Question 4

Harem stallion

Answer 4

Protection from other stallions
Protection from predators and social challenges
Stallion and mares both protect young

Question 5

Bachelor band

Answer 5

Younger stallions that left natal band
-scarce resources or forced out
-usually join b/w 8 months and 3 years
Some older stallions
-never obtained or lost harem
Follow harem bands
-"sneak breeding" opportunities

Question 6

Harem mare

Answer 6

• leader
• direct overall location of band
• stallion stays at rear

Question 7

Assistant harem stallion

Answer 7

Maintenance

some breeding “rights”

Question 8

Stallion and mare interaction

Answer 8

interact with mare the whole cycle to determine reproductive status
-olfactory; visual (most arousing), auditory cues

Question 9

What happens if mare is receptive?

Answer 9

Move into “saw horse stance”
mount and ejaculate between 10-20 seconds later
Can happen many times in a day
Will breed same mare multiple times a day

Question 10

Managed stallions

Answer 10

• usually highly managed to reduce risk of injury
• removed from harem setting
• usually only permitted brief pre-copulatory interactions
• situations where they’re allowed to breed: semen collection; natural service (pasture & hand)

Question 11

Move from performance to breeding career

Answer 11

-have been in intense exercise
-must keep in good physical condition
-adapt fairly well to different breeding systems
learn routine quickly; respond to stimuli; some like routine, some get bored

Question 12

Housing and exercise

Answer 12

-all stallions in 1 barn
works for most, can form hierarchy, some are too timid
-turnout in paddocks
-exercise programs determined on individual stallion
-main goal: prevent injuries

Question 13

Managed Stallion Handling

Answer 13

Need to be able to be controlled before entering shed
Normal excited behavior:
-prancing, vocalization, pawing
Non acceptable behavior: 
-rearing, striking, kicking

Question 14

Seasonality in stallions

Answer 14

Reproductive characteristics of stallions are responsive to photoperiods
-increase day length = increase testicular seize, weight, sperm production
Can use artificial lighting program

Question 15

Inadequate sexual interest

Answer 15

• slow starting novice stallions

- experienced stallions (heavy breeding, bad handler, breeding accident, physical discomfort)

Question 16

How to increase libido

Answer 16

increase stimulus mare
-natural estrus
-allowed to move without restrictions
quiet, spacious breeding area
Urine in natural estrus
-increase exposure to mares, decrease to other stallions

Question 17

Good handling = what?

Answer 17

Good handling, stallions can be transitioned between breeding and performance career