Life of a black Arabian Stallion

In most studs, the period between February and June has one item on the agenda: Breeding 

With the modern advancement of fertility technology, young mares can be inseminated with fine stallions from around the world. The benefits are obvious for the horse owner. The precious horses don’t need to be transported, there’s nor risk in that the mare kicks the stallion, and most famous stallions can sire hundreds of foals during his lifetime. Because of embryo transfer, even a mare can be the mother of several foals during the season, whilst still competing in the sport on a high level. There is no need just to use the local stallion, but you can choose a stallion from anywhere in the world. 

It is simple and efficient for the humans, but is it that good for the stallion and the mare involved? Would they look at the procedure with the same positive outlook as we do? Most likely not. 

The stallions who work as donors are deprived of any form of natural contact with the mare, and many of them never even get to live with other horses, but spend their life isolated in a box or a small paddock. The mare also needs physical contact, and she has no way of knowing what is happening when she is inseminated, let alone if she is due for embryo transfer, which has been compared to an abortion/miscarriage. Humans who experience a miscarriage often experience trauma and sadness of losing a child. Horses are sentient beings with senses and feelings just like we have. Some studs have stopped the practice of embryo transfer, as they saw the negative impact it had on their mares. 

Stallions rarely get to live a natural life as the herd member they have been for thousands of years. Most are stabled in single boxes with no possibility of physical contact with other horses. This is perhaps to avoid fights or injury from other horses, but it comes at a cost for the welfare of the stallion.

At Aaleyah Black Arabians, our black stallion Aj Rafiq comes from Ajman stud in the United Arab Emirates. His sire was the legendary Vervaldee and his dam was Lumiar Rosalita a grey mare. He was bred for his conformation, and his good looks, and the black colour was just an added bonus. He is one of the few lucky stallions, to be able to live the life he was meant to live. He came to us when he was six months old, and he grew up with older mares who taught him how to behave towards the ladies. Now 8 years later, he has sired many beautiful foals. He is not only the biological sire, but he has also played a role in the upbringing of the foals. We often see that the foals often turn to their dad to play and to receive security and comfort. 

It is an amazing sight to experience a black Arabian stallion together with his mares and foals are galloping across the field with the head high and the tail lifted in the classical Arabian way.