The Stallion: A Breeding Guide for Owners and Handlers [Hardcover]

Jim McCall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1995

Here is an exceptional reference that details how to conduct a successful breeding operation -- even on a small scale. Dr. McCall puts in perspective everything from disciplining and handling a stallion to the economics and legalities of breeding. Included are sections on the legal and technical aspects of breeding.

Editorial Reviews

Review

When I received this book, I opened it initially intending just to glance through the book. About eight chapters later, I was still at my desk reading.

Whether you are involved in the breeding business or not, The Stallion is definitely worth adding to your equine library. In keeping with McCall's style, the book is highly entertaining. Yet although it is enjoyable to read, it is no less complex or detailed in content and provides endless insights into the behavior and psychology of the breeding stallion.

McCall's thirty years of experience in the horse business, combined with his enjoyable writing style and detailed exploration of the subject matter make this book an excellent reference and all-around good read! --Show Trail Magazine

The Stallion is an authoritative, sensitive and witty guide to standing, managing and handling stallions. The material in this book cover every aspect of what it takes to run a successful stallion breeding operation.

If you are thinking about buying a stallion, read this book first. If you own a stallion, carry a copy of this book around you. If you are a student of horse behavior, grab a copy and explore the author's lifetime of experience with stallions.

As any of the author's 5000 former college students will you, Dr. McCall believes in teaching through the art of story telling. This entertaining and informative book is vintage Jim McCall --Jimani Publishing

If your goal is to manage stallions, this book will help you benefit from the experience and insight of one of the most competent stallion manager and physiologists I know. I was a student of Jim's many years ago and credit him with showing me more horsemanship and horse management principles than any other single individual that I have known.

Jim McCall blends experience with reflection in a way that many other writers do not. He captures the kindness and courtesy of others through stories told in a detailed and mannerly way and which are not only enjoyable but also educational.

Dr. McCall is the product of a lifetime spent working and learning from horses. In addition he is a natural teacher. He has the innate ability to stimulate thought from facts that have been presented in such a way that students are able to formulate their own conclusion.

Jim McCall's observations and experiences became a part of everyone he touched. The publication of this book is a testament to him and his ability to make horses work for him. Oftentimes I have met with situations and found myself asking "What would Jim McCall had done?" Jim's lessons give strength, encouragment and conviction. --Steve Johnson, Margaux Stud, Midway, Kentucky --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Dr. Jim McCall began his career with stallions almost 40 years ago while obtaining a Ph D. In Equine Reproduction at Texas A and M. Since that time he has stood over 300 stallions - with representative of almost every recognized breed in the world. This experience coupled with his 30 years of teaching as a college professor has been captured in this book.

As any of his 5000 former students will tell you, Dr. McCall believes in teaching through the art of story telling - and his books are an extension of that philosophy. They are entertaining as well as informative.

Dr. McCall is the author of two other books, Horses Behavin Badly and Influencing Horse Behavior, and is the author of the syndicated column, The Pool of Knowledge.

Retired from teaching Dr. McCall lives in Arkansas with his wife, Lynda where they write and breed and train cutting horses. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 1 edition (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876059876
• ISBN-13: 978-0876059876
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,719,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A breeding guide? It's more like a beating guide!, January 25, 2001

By 

"lugia2010" (St Albans, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stallion: A Breeding Guide for Owners and Handlers (Hardcover)

At first glance, this book seemed like an even-handed, objective look at the stallion's role in horse breeding. What it turned out to be was more of a successive list of reasons to never go near a stallion!

The book's opening remarks are that you should never trust a stallion. Whilst I can appreciate the author's own point of view on this matter, I have to disagree with it. The most basic foundation for a good, working relationship with any horse is trust, and it needs to be two-way. Shortly after this, a paragraph heading is "When it comes to discipline a stallion, knock the hell out of him". If I saw anyone doing this to a stallion, or any horse for that matter, I'd would probably knock the hell out of THEM! Again, I understand the author's point and he is right, inasmuch as it is often necessary to deal firmly with a stallion if they step out of line, but there are very few offences I can think of that would warrant a beating.

Beyond the first chapter, the book enters into more details about the breeding routines of the stallion, appropriate techniques for artificial insemination, sample collection and teasing. The author also cites economic data referring to the drawing up of stud contracts, and the financial implications of owning a stallion, all of which was accurate and concise. This part of the book was extremely well written, and was structured in a more objective manner than the introductory chapter was.

Overall, if I ignore the first chapter, this book is extremely interesting. The author is clear and to the point in each example used, and the diagrams and drawing are all accurately represented. However, I cannot get past the overtone set by the introduction, and I sincerely believe that there are better ways to live and work with a stallion than the author has portrayed in this book. Experienced owners and breeders will find the book informative, and beginners will also find the book very useful. A recommended read, but caution is advised should you attempt to replicate the authors' somewhat brutal approach to handling your stallion.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touch of realism, March 17, 2005

By 

Rachel - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stallion : A Breeding Guide for Owners and Handlers (Paperback)

It is indeed true that this author doesn't talk about how to raise a mannerly stallion. The book doesn't make any promise of that. The stated purpose of the book is to educate people who own or deal with mature stallions at stud, and are thus beyond the early, formative years.

It is also true that he mentions instances when he dealt with dangerous stallions. In one of those instances, it took force to get the stallion to mind his manners. It would not be fair to mention this without saying that this horses's sire was the extremely aggressive Native Dancer. A dangerous horse, as the book details, but also a very valuable Thrououghbred and almost priceless at stud as a sire of racers. Therefore, certain behaviors were overlooked, then corrected at great risk. The process reads like a great battle. Not all stallions need this sort of correction, but the necessity existed under the circumstances. In nature, a mare would discipline a rude stallion, but many modern hand-breeding techniques rob her of the ability to do so. The handler must protect her and reprimand a stallion who tries to take advantage of her. In terms of harshness, a mare is capable of inflicting great harm with a kick, and she would not be looked upon as cruel. The author does not believe that stallions should be abused. He believes that handling should be firm and decisive, but for the sake of obedience and safety rather than cruelty. Even a hot-blooded horse can be controlled if proper horsemanship is employed.

The author's anecdotes are interesting, amusing, and relevant. The chapters included recommendations on teasing, horse selection, adequate facilities, artificial insemination, and breeding contracts. There is a wealth of information in these pages for the prospective stallion owner or handler. I would highly recommend it for those purposes.

The first portion of the book deals with handling stallions. In this section, the author offers sound advice, as well as sobering situations that he has faced. I wholeheartedly approve of it, because people ought not enter into stallion ownership or handling without knowing what can go wrong. As beautiful and vital as these animals are, romanticizing about them without accepting their potential for danger is an extremely unwise thing to do. If it discourages some people from being involved with these horses, then maybe it is for the best.

The sobering realities in this book are tempered with a lot humor and good information for people who have a sincere interest in working with stallions. I highly recommend it.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great guide for those considering a stallion, April 21, 2000

By 

Rosemary A. Gordon "Appeals1" (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Stallion: A Breeding Guide for Owners and Handlers (Hardcover)

Dr. McCall explains in a clear easy reading style everything you need to know if you are considering buying or keeping a stallion. He covers stallion behavior and how to deal with it, breeding, physiology, and the economics of standing a stallion. He draws on his 30 year experience managing stallions to illustrate the points he makes in the book. An excellent book that provides good insight into dealing with stallions.