A half dead stallion has a certain need (6)

I believe the answer is:

desire

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'a certain need' is the definition.
'desire' can be an answer for 'need' (I have seen 'Strong need ' mean 'desire' so perhaps 'need' could also mean 'desire'). I am unsure of the 'a certain' bit.

'a half dead stallion' is the wordplay.
'a half' suggests halving the letters.
'stallion' becomes 'sire' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'dead' halved is 'de'.
'de'+'sire'='DESIRE'

'has' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for desire that I've seen before include "Longing or wish" , "Hanker after" , "Reside (anag.)" , "Strong need" , "Want, wish for" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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