Q. I have a stallion that "saucers" (exhibits glans penis enlargement) prior to mounting. We have to back him up several times before he can mount and penetrate the mare. Any suggestions?

Larry, via e-mail

A. Saucering is a description of enlargement of the glans penis (the tip) during copulation. This enlargement of the glans penis is thought to aid in dilation of the cranial vagina and cervix for deposition of semen directly into the uterus.

Enlargement of the glans penis typically occurs after the stallion has intromitted, or the penis has entered the vagina. Some stallions require less sexual stimulation than others to achieve glans penis enlargement. Occasionally stallions will achieve this prior to intromission, occasionally accompanied by emission (involuntary discharge of semen) and/or ejaculation