Dummy training
The stallions are trained to mount a phantom (“dummy”), mostly to avoid injuries to the mares, stallions, or handlers. As the stallions mounts the dummy, the veterinary surgeon has easy access to position the artificial vagina.
In addition, the dummy is adjustable in height and angle, maximizing the stallion’s comfort, especially in the ones that have back pain or lameness.
Training the stallion to mount the phantom can be quick and easy, done in only a few sessions. Sometimes it can be more challenging, and more sessions are needed to train a stallion.
However, an average 2 to 5 sessions suffice for novice stallions.