Are gelding owners more laid back than mare owners?

[Holly Hocks]

Just a thought which came to me on the yard today. I have a mare and a gelding. They are split into separate fields. The boys have one big field, and the mares have another. The mares also have a starve patch.

Anyway, the boys have been out 24/7 since April. Everyone is laid back, the horses are happy and in good condition - no fighting, arguing - nothing. All the owners get on and generally just let their horses be horses.

The mare owners on the other hand are different. Not in a bad way - just different. They are always disputing who should be in the starve patch (which is about the size of a 20x40 school) and occasionally I see three horses in there at any one time - not eating because there is absolutely nothing to eat and they all stand looking miserable - only one has a history of lami. They say that there is too much grass in the main field (it's about three acres at the most - and there are 5 mares), but not enough in the starve patch. They bring their horses in when it rains, and turn out in a rug unless it's over 70 degrees. I really can't understand it. I like my horses to be out 24/7 at this time of year which I've always done and fortunately there is another mare owner who is of a similar mindset. It's not a whinge as it doesn't affect me as such - just an observation.

So do you think gelding owners are more easygoing than mare owners, or is that just my observation?

 

[Cassiethecob]

As the only mare owner (except for THE owner) at my livery yard I would say yes! The good news is they take absolutely no notice of me! xx

 

[NicoleS_007]

Nope its actually the opposite way around at our yard.

 

[Kat]

The first horse out 24/7 on our yard was one of the mares........

Often the only one with a rug on (not including sweet itch rugs) is a gelding.

Don't see how you can generalize, surely it depends more on the type of horses, the work they are in and the experience/views of the owners.

 

[Kenzo]

No, I say its just the people on your yard lol, never noticed any difference, I have both and they don't make me feel any different and they both get the same treatment, interesting question though, wonder what other peoples experinences are.

 

[Trish C]

We only have one mare on our yard (out of 11 horses - one other is a yearling filly) and yes, her owner isn't as laid back as the rest of us. But part of that is a nationality thing as well... I won't say where she's from but I think it does contribute a lot to her personality.

Don't get me wrong, she's absolutely lovely - I love riding out/schooling with her, and do so several times a week. But she's definitely not as chilled as the rest of us - she worries more.

It could also be said that the rest of us are sometimes a bit too laid back

 

[Ranyhyn]

I have recently got a mare....

I've gone absolutely bannanas about her!! lol I bring her in if it rains, she's out in a sheet unless it's a hot day (when she'll go into a fly sheet) and I mother her rotten and I don't care ner ner!!

But I do not make myself a nuisiance to others, so I'd hope no-one would pass bad judgement on me just cause I'm soft with my horse.

I just love her!

 

[unbalanced]

Haha this is very funny. I am a mare owner and yes everything has to be just so for my pony. Obviously I am the ONLY person who knows how to look after her just so, she has to go in the starvation field (well, she really does, history of laminitis) although I didn't bother with rugs even in December when it was minus ten so there you go. And she has to be shiny at all times. Even before I turn her out to roll in the mud.

 

[tallyho!]

Not in my experience so far Holly Hocks, maybe just at your yard That is quite funny though...

I think it depends what kind of yard you're on - I think you adapt to suit and also if you have got a new one. Always makes you less chilled out.

You said the geldings were chilled out. Enfys and I started a discussion about whether geldings were the more horrid of the sexes - she said they were which I didn't agree with so I'm glad you said yours weren't