chestnut mares

[BroadfordQueen]

My dad is very anti-chestnut mares. My mum also isn't too keen. But now that we are looking, we are turning down a LOT of nice looking horses, just because they are chestnut mares!
So, I would really appriciate it if those of you who own/have owned a chestnut mare would share your views- was yours the typical stamp?
We have had a chestnut gelding, and plenty of mares, just haven't combined the two

And there are a few that I really like the look of. I know it depends on the individual horse, but dad wont even let me phone up about it even though it sounds perfect

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

Aparently they have more sensitive skin than other horses(might not be true) and i have met quite a few that fit in the moody, chesnut mare category but i definately wouldn't say they are all like that.

 

[Super_Kat]

I've had a couple of chestnut mares and have known hundreds and none of them were a problem. At the end of the day your parents are being rediculous, any horse no matter what colour or sex it is can be a pain in the arse...

 

[MillionDollar]

All the chestnut mares I've known are fab, it's just a myth.

There's one here who can jump the moon and has a lovely temp. And don't forget Hattikins mare!

 

[kerilli]

i've had 2, both homebred, both nice easy horses to do. the first was out of a bay mare and by a bay stallion, and i always used to tell people she had a "bay brain", she was the sweetest, easiest, most straightforward horse i have ever known, bar none. she never put a foot wrong and always tried her hardest. i never knew when she was in season, either, she wasn't hormonal at all.
i've had far worse bay geldings than chestnut mares, fwiw! i would not be put off at all.
saying "all chestnut mares are difficult" is like saying "all blondes are dumb" imho. absolutely indefensible and patently untrue!

 

[helenhorse]

besides their colour(whihc has nothing to do with it), every horse has its own personality, yes my chestnut mare is a bit grumpy when doing the girth up but i can assure you its nothing to do with her colour, we bought ehr from a racing yard so that should explain everything. HOWEVER, in the stable she is the most loving horse i have ever handled, shes very effectionate and loves cuddles and is a dream to school and ride...so my answer is, if they sound perfect then just give them a chance, every horse is different and you cant really make a jugdmnet untill you have actually seen the horse. But always be prepared for the worst, as if it sounds perfect, there just might be a few catches!!

 

[YorksG]

I have chesnut Appy mare who is a wonderful creature and while spooky is not a stereotypical chesnut mare.

 

[Hedgewitch13]

Mine's not moody just a bit spooky and flighty but then she is an NH bred TB. She doesn't even change mood when in season, for which I am very grateful! She can be a sensitive soul, I can't pull her mane I have to razor it but to be fair I wouldn't want my hair pulled out at the roots either! I would say her skin sensitivity is down to be a TB rather than a chestnut mare

 

[Flame_]

My two chestnut mares are pretty highly strung but lovely if you don't ride them. If use do ride them, they are a pain in the backside.

 

[mon]

My chestnut mare is marvelous, sleeps with hen and chicks in stable, comes to see you when walking in field, (polos), so laid back 99.9% of the time wouldn't swap her for anything, I would be put off more of greys because of sarcoids.

 

[Libbyn1982]

I had a liver chestnut mare and never had a mareish moment with her at all it was just like having a gelding. I think it is just a myth as well and anyway in my experience the difficult horses usually have incredible talent as well.

 

[Puppy]

I've known and loved many chestnut mares

The most stroppy, neurotic, high maintenance horses I've owned were bay geldings

And yes, that includes having owned stallions!!

 

[bennsboy]

The best horse I have ever had was a chestnut mare, would give anything to have her back.

 

[Angua2]

hum, lets put it this way my bay gelding is more difficult to handle than my chestnut mare, and both are ex-racehorses

Both little_ flea and I have found that she is the most genuine, amenable and willing little mare. We do have some issues when she is in season but these are abnormal anyway and she is under vet care for these

Everyone that has ever met my mare does comment on the fact that she is such a lovely natured horse.

At the end of the day each horse is an individual regardless of colour

 

[showjump]

Im fairly new to being a chestnut mare owner!!lol! But my new mare is the sweetest mare ive ever owned. (so far!!)

 

[scotsmare]

I have one who is an utter horror but she's only 12hh

On the upside she's an excellent jumper and thinks nothing of popping 3ft from a trot

 

[BigBird146]

I had a liver chestnut mare for 17 years and she was an angel, I loved her to bits. Never moody or mareish, just got on with her job (jumping) and really looked after me.

 

[malibu211211]

I had a chestnut mare on loan 4 years ago, she was a grumpy old bag but lovely in her own funny way

I loved her to bits, she was fab!
I do love chestnuts anyway but being a chestnut mare would not put me off

 

[piaffe]

It is just a myth.

I have a chestnut mare who is 3 and she is far easier to deal with than my chestnut gelding.

The chestnut mare thing is just utter rubbish in my opinion.

 

[teabiscuit]

My chestnut mare was wonderful and totally looked after me when I was a teenager.

She loved a gallop and was fiesty but never ever naughty.

Would never let colour put me off buying a horse

 

[sarah23]

I have a bay mare which is more a pain in the back side than my chestnut mare.

If the horse is right for you what difference does it make what colour it is.

 

[MarinaBay]

I think it is a myth, althoug I am sure my bay mare is one is disguise!

 

[fatpiggy]

My dream horse was a bay gelding, probably a native, no more than 16hh, no greys (melanoma) or chestnuts, no Arab blood. What did I end up with? Yep, you guessed it - 15.1 (got that right anyway!) chestnut mare, part Welsh D, and probably some extra Arab in there!!!!!!!! Yes, she is highly sensitive, both physically and mentally in that she reacts badly to fly bites, feels the cold so makes a scene at bathtime unless its really hot, is a very dominant mare so I could never hack out with anyone as she wouldn't tolerate anything at all close to her, or God forbid, in front (that includes cyclists) is sharp, intelligent, always has the last word and doesn't appreciate being told off. But, on the other hand she just loves to have her belly, udder and hindlegs stroked and tickled and would no more kick than I would fly to the moon. The trouble is, I always have to remember that other mares aren't quite so amenable to having someone walk by behind them and kiss the white spot she has on her bum! I don't think it really matters what colour a horse is, but not everyone can get on with a mare. You have to be extra patient and diplomatic, and know when to not push a point. Now I find geldings boring, predictable and not very smart.

 

[HollyP]

My mare is a IDxTB chestnut, she is a fantastic horse very safe even when being 'silly' I was warned against them but I'm a total convert if I ever get another horse I'll look for a chestnut mare!

 

[Ziggy_]

Mine fits the stereotype perfectly. But I like her that way.

 

[Salcey]

I currently own 2 chestnut mares, they are no different from any other mare - typically stubborn but a friend for life once on your side.

 

[ickelshadow]

chestnut mares are by far the best in my opinion

i knew mine for 15 years (owned 6) and whilst she could be cheeky in a damed cute way, she was never hormonal or stroppy, and was the sweetest natured mare you could ever imagine. she was at a riding school for 8.5 years before i bought her and taught all sorts. truly capable and an amazing temperament

 

[kit279]

A good horse is never a bad colour....

 

[The Original Kao]

i have yet to meet a bad chestnut mare.
some of the best horses i've ridden have been chestnut mares.
met a few horrid bay mares tho, and 1 palamino 1 that i was pleased to see leave the yard

 

[Toyboyroxhissox]

i have a chesnut mare.
Yes, she can be moody or nippy,
but no more than any other ordinary horse.
i definitely wouldnt let the colour put you off!
And anyway, chesnuts can/do look fab!