Christoph Bauer has been part of the Tebbel team since autumn 2019. He manages the stallion station, the foals and young stallions, and advises breeders on all matters.
Questions for the breeding expert – today’s topic is the big question of all: which stallion?
• You are confronted with breeders’ questions daily. The question of all questions is…
C. Bauer : That is, of course, the question: Which stallion is right for my mare? I already know many breeders and their mares from my many years of professional experience, which makes advising them much easier now. Then I need to know the pedigree, the size, predisposition, temperament, and conformation – and all of that as honestly as possible.
• ‘As honest as possible’ – what exactly do you mean by that?
CB : The breeders are naturally convinced of their mares’ qualities, and that’s absolutely essential. But they also need to tell me about the weaknesses as well as the strengths. Some breeders find this a bit difficult at first, but it’s incredibly important so that I can advise them as best as possible. There’s never a guarantee, but I can offer advice based on many years of experience and to the best of my knowledge.
• You usually advise: Choose this specific stallion. Or do you offer a selection?
CB : Both approaches are common. With some mares, experience tells you immediately which stallion is the perfect match. But with others, several stallions are possible. Ultimately, of course, the breeder has to make the decision. I always encourage breeders to get a feel for the stallions themselves – at stallion shows or in competition, or they are welcome to visit our stallion station and see the stallions for themselves.
In the next part, we’ll talk to Christoph Bauer about: What does he do when a mating doesn’t turn out as planned? What role do breeders’ emotions still play today? And what can breeders look forward to most in 2021?
