chestnut mares..?

I fractured my neck on a chestnut Anglo Arab mare about 15 years ago and swore I'd never touch one again (she was a stereotype chestnut mare - mare-ish, spooky, bucked, danced about - horrible!). When an old friend offered me one his ex-point-to-pointers for my daughter to compete, she sounded great....until I asked the colour....chestnut! "No, sorry, Harry, I don't want a chestnut mare!" "But she's not like that!". We tried her....yes, she danced around, but my daughter loved her, so, not wishing to look a freebie gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, we took her and have never looked back! She dances around and I honestly would never take her on a "proper" hack - can't sit the transition from trot to canter, almost over her shoulder! - but she's totally predictable, never stops when jumping and is frighteningly fast cross-country. Quieter to hunt than hack (???), my daughter reckons she's the safest horse to ride because she's so predictable! Now in foal to Primitive Proposal, the best possible foal would be a chestnut filly (worst case scenario is a bay colt, which it will probably be!). Want to send her to Weld where a chestnut baby would be almost 100% certain! We just LOVE orange horses!!! When buying, my daughter actually LOOKS for chestnut mares!!!
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Blossom was a chestnut mare, She was pretty sharp but the best 11.2 competition pony you could ever have wanted.

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I would never prejudice agiast a chestnut mare. I dont like mares, but if I was getting one chestnut is only a colour.
 
My first horse was a chestnut mare and she was the sweetest of horses. Could be a bit nappy but would not hurt a fly. My current horse is a grey mare who can be a right witch and would happily have a chunk out of you if she got the chance. Love her to bits but she has a much worse temperment (sp) than the chestnut did.
 
I've had 5 chestnut mares and they've all been fab. Wonderful temperaments, sometimes fizzy and dizzy but definately not mad.

Having had mares and geldings of every other colour, I'd say the chestnut girls have generally been more sensitive than most of the others, but once you gain their trust they'll do anything for you.

I've just bought a bay mare, but sure there's a hint of red in her somewhere!
 
I got the "Oh god you bought a chestnut as your first horse and a chestnut mare at that!" She can be stroppy at times but just needs putting in her place firmly but fairly. She is still young and part of her attitude comes from her lack of understanding, which we're gradually working on. All I will say is that she shows you what she is thinking but not having mares before this could be a mare thing rather than a chestnut thing. It wouldn't stop me buying another mare and I would probably actively look for a chestnut the next time.
 
I have to be honest, after riding a few (one of whom I would class as dangerous) and having one on trial (who had to go back because she kicked me black and blue and bolted with me) I wouldn't have another. Sorry!
 
Ah - chestnut mares! Love 'em.

Here is Katie (on the right - the pic is a bit dark)- she's a super liver chestnut Irish sport horse - ex-eventer and hunter - now having lovely babies!
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And here's Widget (Wickmore Rosie O'Grady RID by King Elvis) - now in foal to Kensons Aragorn.
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And Bronte ( Drumbar Pride RID by Flagmount Diamond) who is doing service as husband's 2nd hunter this year but will then be having babies.)

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And chestnut filly - Indigo Liza
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And the littlest chestnut I own - Indigo Macha Princess - who has just been weaned. She's purebred Irish Draught and absolutely gorgeous!

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Yes, just like to add, subsequent to my chesnut mare post, that, regardless of colour, we'd choose a mare any day over a gelding! (Saying that, we bought a chestnut colt 14 months ago - now a beautiful chestnut gelding of 15hh - but at least he is...CHESTNUT...!!)
 
I used to have an exracehorse,chestnut mare who was very untypical.She did have her quirks in respect that she hated rain and would play up when ridden in it,but in every other way she was really laid back and lovely.Unfortunately due to a sacroilliac injury she couldn't be jumped which is why I sold her on.
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I'll let my username answer half the question!

I have two mares at the moment, a 3yo TB bay, and a 6yo WB/ISH chestnut. I just love them both to bits, the chestnut can have opinions about life but they make her personable and fun and a BRILLIANT competitor. She has real Edge, but at the same time is unflappable and works with you, not against you. My last horse was a dark bay gelding who was a nappy b*****d so I no longer hold ANY sway with stereotypes.

Funny thing is, I just know that with a different type of owner my chestnut would not get on nearly so well. When I heard she was for sale, the person telling me about her said "she wouldn't be any use for a numpty" and she was right. If I had missed a trick in the early days I think this could have turned into a very different relationship!
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Mines just normal!! not crazy or anything - infact very sensible for a 5yo!! [image]http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r91/6103claire/DSCN1241.jpg?t=1196632782[/image]
 
Daisy, easy peasy lemon squeezy horse, has evented to Novice, never had an off day, only flaw is she hates having her girth tightened and always threatens you with flat ears
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I love chestnut mares, when i'm looking for a horse i always look at the chestnut mares first. I have never met a bad one yet...my sister had an absolute nutter of a chestnut gelding though lol.

I think it's just an old wives tale TBH.
 
We currently own 2 chestnut mares. They are both stubborn and a bit quirky but will also try so hard for you. They tend to be more one person horses (if you know what I mean)
We have also noticed their skin does tend to be a bit more sensitive than other mares we've known.
 
Never owned a chestnut mare but would do.
Ride one at uni and I love her to bits, she is beautiful and just great to ride, a bit wizzy at times but lovely natured.
 
I've got one! She was my first horse, love her to pieces....
She had her moments as a youngster (I've had her 11 years now, and she is 17 this year) but I think that might be more of a result of her upbringing than anything. She is never ever stroppy when handled, is in fact the least aggressive horse I've ever met towards people/other horses. She can occasionally have a bit of a strop when ridden but they are very rare these days. Sadly due to her arthritis she doesn't compete any more but I now have a lovely sharer for her who is not the most exerienced of rider and T looks after her brilliantly, they do lots of hacking and sponsored rides, and the odd lesson.
Below at the Waddesdon Sponsored Ride this year
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Chilling by the lorry
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Watching me and J jump
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Cantering up a field

Hope sharer doesn't mind being in photos!!
 
A good horse is never a bad colour.
The perfect horse hasn't been born yet.
All horses have their own little quirks and it is easy to say with a chestnut mare that the reason is because it's a chestnut mare.
In eventing there still seems to be some prejudice against mares (including some of the top riders) but slowly things are begining to change.
My mare has a bit of attitude but I wouldn't have her any other way.
 
I have one and she's a real sweetie - much better than my bay! TBH I've always had problems with black geldings... I think chestnut mares have the same repuation as red headed women - not necessarily deserved but there are enough out there to fuel the myth!
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Yes, 2 out of the 5 of mine have had sensitive skin.

Usually mud fever type lumps on their body though not their legs, and Rosie had terrible Urticaria (hives) once.
 
my mare (in my sig) is a strop bag but i'm sure is more a mare thing as a hell of a lot of mares i know are stroppy !!

she is funny though with her tantrums, bad moods and 'faces' at me when i know she wouldnt dare do anything to hurt me.

wouldnt have her any other way i prefer a horse with a bit of a character
 
I adore chestnut mares. Never had a bad one. Had 6. Here's a few:

Rosie - current girlie:

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Gem is the middle one in this pice:

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B:
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New Forester:
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New Forester 2 - Liver chestnut/brown:

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