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If you thought breeding donkeys was a CHALLENGE...Try breeding Zebras! Just like Donkeys, Zebra have their own courtship language. And while there are always dangerous risks when it comes to breeding stallions, Zebra handlers have to be especially careful since Zebras can be more aggressive and unpredictable. These are not domesticated animals. They are less trusting than horses, with a higher flight instincts. And they are not afraid to fight when cornered.
Handling a Mature StallionZebras, regardless of gender, should be regularly handled to prevent them going wild. The best stallions out there are consistently handled in the best manner possible. However, when they reach sexual maturity around the age of 5-7, it's not uncommon for them to become aggressive, and not want contact with humans anymore. When Stallions get like this, it's best to geld them. Owners have put them out to pasture alone, which made their behavior worse. When put out to pasture with other animals, Stallions will often chase, attack, and attempt to mount out of frustration. It is very rare that you will find a Zebra stallion with a sweet, trusting, and very un-stallion like personality.
When handling a zebra stallion, we recommend protective gear such as a vest and helmet, and you should never be handling them alone. Like Donkey stallions, Zebra stallions will usually not naturally breed across species, or mount a dummy mount. Like wise, mares will usually not allow a Zebra to mount them. Most Zebras out there are to small to mount mares successfully. Zebras are horses, like Donkeys, can benefit from breed training, however the most successful breeding tactics we have had are with Artificial Insemination. Foaling and Raising Them |
Zebra SpeciesZebras are classified into 3 main species groups, and from there, into a number of sub-species. Many of these species are endangered, however because the way the laws are written, these species are able to change hands - mostly as overflow from accredited breeding programs.
The Grant's Zebra is probably the most common one seen in North America in domestic breeding programs, however other species have been bought and sold for legal big game hunting in America, because they can not be imported from Africa due to their endangered status. Multiple species of Zebra can share the same range, and hybridization does occur. This poses a problem for the Greyv's Zebra, since they are endangered and out populated by the more common Plains Zebra. In North America, Grevy owners have cross bred them to other Zebra species, since there are so few Grevy's to form a breeding pool. Owners of Grevy's should work together along with Zoos to establish a viable gene pool in North America since there are less than 2,000 in the wild. |
When both Zebra mares and stallions reach maturity, they can be difficult to handle. Many breeders out there can not handle their adult stock, and will pull the foal off the mother to bottle raise. The idea behind this is so they can hand raise their offspring, but the reality is they create a confused, and dangerous animal. In the wild, the zebra foal stays with the mother for up to 3 years, removing the foal when they are still nursing only causes the foal social problems. Beware of the businesses out there that do this.
Zebra mothers, like donkeys, are naturally protective of their newborn foals. Imprinting your foals should be case by case with each mare. If you've got a good mare that you know will, by all means see if she will let you. But don't force the encounter, as it could be a deadly one for you. If you have earned their trust, they will seek out your affection and attention, and your new foal will learn this. But even if they are second or 3rd generation foals, remember they are still Zebras at heart. As soon as you are able to handle your foal, approach training them as if you were training a donkey foal.
Zebra mothers, like donkeys, are naturally protective of their newborn foals. Imprinting your foals should be case by case with each mare. If you've got a good mare that you know will, by all means see if she will let you. But don't force the encounter, as it could be a deadly one for you. If you have earned their trust, they will seek out your affection and attention, and your new foal will learn this. But even if they are second or 3rd generation foals, remember they are still Zebras at heart. As soon as you are able to handle your foal, approach training them as if you were training a donkey foal.
Our Herd
Grevy's ZebraThe Grevy's is more similar in personality and looks to the Wild Ass of Africa. They are the largest of all the wild equines, which makes them great crosses for saddle horses. However they are an endangered breed.
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Dogwood's Zazu16.2hh 10yo Stallion
Proven Mountain Trail Producer Combined Driving |
Dogwood's Zulu |
About Our Grevy'sThere are less than 2,000 Grevy's in the wild, and you would think being an endangered species, they would be protected against hunting. However with the right permits and money, you can hunt anything in North America - even animals that are extinct in the wild. This is how Zazu came to us back in Virginia. My grandfather along with some friends were traveling in Texas, and they were told about a exotic animal auction that was selling a bunch of Zebra foals. One man came out carrying Zazu like a dog, he was only a few weeks old, taken from his mother and put on a bottle. There was no question about it, my Grandfather took him straight home. With some old breeder tricks, we were able to get him on a nurse mare. From then on, he thought he was a horse - which was quite rare for Zebras, specially stallions. Two years later Zulu was put up for sale in Texas on an online auction.
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