Maybe he is just overwhelmed and putting him out with just a couple of mares at a time til he is comfortable will ease his stress level. It sounds like he just has too much on his mind to get the hang of things.
Maybe just turn him out with a couple and leave him there to live with them, and once a week, add one more? If he is not given enough time to find his comfort zone with them, he is going to be nervous, and the dog or whatever is going to distract him and he is having trouble keeping his mind on things.
Once he is used to it all, he will still be distracted by barking dogs, etc.. and by nature, he should be 'watchful' of his girls, but he will know what he is there to do.
My studs live out with the girls round the clock during breeding season.
Maybe just turn him out with a couple and leave him there to live with them, and once a week, add one more? If he is not given enough time to find his comfort zone with them, he is going to be nervous, and the dog or whatever is going to distract him and he is having trouble keeping his mind on things.
Once he is used to it all, he will still be distracted by barking dogs, etc.. and by nature, he should be 'watchful' of his girls, but he will know what he is there to do.
My studs live out with the girls round the clock during breeding season.