Question: We have recently increased the number of stallions we keep on our property from one to three. We have individual runs for them right now, but I’m considering removing the barrier fences and allowing them to be in together after we stop breeding this year. Do you have any recommendations for going ahead with this? Thanks.

 Answer: The most important aspect of keeping multiple stallions together is to give them plenty of space. It would also be good to introduce your stallions to one another prior to turning them out together by keeping them stabled in adjoining stalls or another method that works for your farm. I would have at least an acre per stallion, and would prefer nothing smaller than a 5 acre plot to keep three stallions together.  Your stallions will most likely have some aggressive interactions, and will need space to separate after hierarchy and play interaction. Also, make sure your fence is sturdy. You may want to consider adding an additional fence between the stallion pasture and the other pastures in your farm, creating an empty “row”. This will help prevent over the fence interactions, particularly with unbred mares soliciting the stallions. While the group will probably behave much as a young band of bachelor stallions (regardless of age), I would still expect one stallion to act as the fenceline harem stallion. He may keep the others off “his” fence, and may be the primary one to create stud piles.

Be sure to provide adequate feed and water with enough space between areas to minimize conflict. Providing water and hay at multiple spots in the field rather than just in one area may help with this. Horses will naturally compete for limited resources, such as water, grain, and hay, especially if the pasture is not of the best quality.