Facebook is not the same as a website. It is the perfect place for mare owners to meet but it is not the place to expect them to go looking for breeding information. The advantage of a website is that it collects all your’s stallion’s data in a tidy little place for prospective breeders to find. As a mare owner, I simply am not interested in trying to keep track down all this info or go to a million links you’ve sent me to look for it (tough love guys, tough love). These are at least the basics I believe belong on a stallion’s site. 

1 – GOOD CONFORMATION PHOTOS

A  side conformation photo is an absolute must-have! I’m always surprised how often I can’t find conformation photos on a stallion’s website. I do like to see photos of the front and back as well but at least a side shot should be on your homepage. 

2 – REGISTRIES, APPROVALS, AND SCORES

This is pretty straightforward for stock breeds but warmblood stallions also need to make sure to list what registries they are approved for. As a mare owner, I also think it’s ESSENTIAL for you to list your stallion’s scores. This absolutely plays a role in 

3 – A RIDING VIDEO AND FREE VIDEO 

Remember when you had to request a stallion video by mail?? Thank goodness we don’t have to wait weeks to see how a stallion moves anymore!!! I think it’s important to see video of your stallion in their chosen arena but I also like to see the horse lose in all three gaits (and free jumping if the stallion is a warmblood).

4 – PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

If you don’t list your horse’s performance records, we’re all going to assume he doesn’t have one… The homepage is the perfect place to list the highlight’s in your horse’s career. I would have a link to another page if you want to list his full performance history. 

5 – FOAL CROP

This one isn’t missing from too many sites but I do think it is important to show a variety of foals at a variety of ages. I love when I can see foals from inspection up to adulthood. The only additional suggestion I would make is to show the dam when possible so mare owners can see how how the stallion crosses. 

6 – BREEDING FEES AND SEASON AVAILABILITIES

I had chosen what I thought was the perfect Connemara stallion or my thoroughbred mare when suddenly on their Facebook page they said that the last collection date was less than 2 weeks away (super early in the season). This was a planned season-end date for the stud but they had not listed it anywhere that I had seen. I ended up needing to look for another option. Please make sure that you have a list of ALL the fees associated with your particular breeding situation and any requirements for mare owners.