Competition horse: Gelding vs mare

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LowenKi

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My Grandma and I were out watching some super dressage the other day and there wasn't a mare in sight. Grandma is very keen on the sport and only just learning about what to look for, and asked me why the 'top riders' always seem to have geldings and not mares?

I honestly wasn't sure. Suggested that hormones played a part, and perhaps that if a good mare was really that good she might be off having foals instead of competing... but I was guessing really!

What are your thoughts? Do gelding simply do better at being competition horses than mares? At what level of competition does this start to show up?

Interested in your thoughts!
 
Hormones is definitely part of it. Prejudice because of the hormones another. ALso some get diverted into breeding.

There are definitely fewer top level mares. But there are quite few!
 
Yeah I agree I think its to do with hormones, for instance you ask a mare a question and she may not agree which can cost a lot of marks in top level dressage where as with a gelding you ask it a question and it "usually" agrees... I would say that stallions are in the middle really as they usually agree but on some days they may act like a mare regarding questions being asked... However there are always exceptions and there are some top level mares who do very well :)
 
i prefer mares, and the golden rule is that if you get a good mare at a high level, she will be exceptional... in any sphere. But, day to day, geldings are more reliable.
Also of course, because a mare can have an alternative career, there's always that option if she gets a slight injury, whereas with a gelding there's more of a vested interest in getting him right if at all possible, and back out competing again. This might explain a bit of the skew in numbers at high level.
i think mares are slightly more generous if they are absolutely on side, they are less likely to be cheeky when the chips are absolutely down (e.g. less likely to run out at a skinny, say, if you leave the door open). They may take longer to get onside, because, like stallions, you have the whole horse, but once they're there, they're fantastic.
 
On the continent, the best mares in terms of breeding and 'potential' will frequently kept as breeding stock. That's not so much the trend in England where there is just a strong bias towards geldings. I guess because they tend to fit into a competition yard routine more easily- they have fewer off days and are more consistant in general.

I love mares and believe that there's much more skill and challenge in riding them but the rewards are far greater
 
kerilli said:
i prefer mares, and the golden rule is that if you get a good mare at a high level, she will be exceptional... in any sphere. But, day to day, geldings are more reliable.
Also of course, because a mare can have an alternative career, there's always that option if she gets a slight injury, whereas with a gelding there's more of a vested interest in getting him right if at all possible, and back out competing again. This might explain a bit of the skew in numbers at high level.
i think mares are slightly more generous if they are absolutely on side, they are less likely to be cheeky when the chips are absolutely down (e.g. less likely to run out at a skinny, say, if you leave the door open). They may take longer to get onside, because, like stallions, you have the whole horse, but once they're there, they're fantastic.
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Have to agree with this. I prefer mares. I think the bond you have with them goes deeper than a gelding. When i bought my girl, i wouldn't even entertain viewing a gelding.....there are times where i've regretted that decision (like - the WHOLE first year :D) but now, I'm glad i stuck to it! :D
 
My next one will be a gelding (colt if young enough lol) as it seems like mares and me just dont gel well.

When my last mare was in season she would do fantastic dirty stops at the simplest things that she wouldnt even look at when not in season and was a dirty cow in the stable with her teeth at times.

Geldings all the way at least they are bleeding consistant ;)
 
Interesting comments guys! Kerilli it's lovely to hear your thoughts on mares. I did used to agree that a really good mare was harder to find, but would ultimately be better than a gelding. I've had two exceptional mares in the past who have genuinely cared about me, tried so hard for me, and genuinely been a partnership with me - whereas I couldn't say that about any of the geldings I've had. I don't think any of my boys could really have cared less!
 
I have a mare, and she is consistant - never shows when in season: always up for the job and never known her to be moody. There are exceptions to every 'rule'. Love mine, and it wouldn't bother me whether I looked for a gelding or mare for my next horse.
Also agree with kerilli.
 
I think it's also due to the hormones / off having foalies aspect.

I simply had to have a mare after my geldings major inconsistency, couldn't stand the thought of another like him! Gotta say, it's really nice to have something with brains around ;):o
 
You know I have owned two fabulous mares, who were lovely to handle and ride and whom I thoroughly enjoyed owning, my Dad also had a lovely mare. Then I bought two disastrous mares and finally have a gelding, first one for 20 years ! it has to be said, he is/was very straightforward, from day 1.
 
I have known some lovely mares but they are generally more sensitive which means they are more tricky to deal with in some way.

They are less suited to a lack of stability and routine so usually more settled in a quiet private yard or a pro yard, the pros are more able to get the best out of them but often lack time or inclination to do so.

The ideal scenario for many mares would be to live with someone like kerilli, who can offer a quiet professional approach in a small yard but has the time to go at the horses pace without the pressure of owners expecting results. It is probably why they work well for you and you like them:)
 
Stormy123456 said:
I have a mare, and she is consistant - never shows when in season: always up for the job and never known her to be moody. There are exceptions to every 'rule'. Love mine, and it wouldn't bother me whether I looked for a gelding or mare for my next horse.
Also agree with kerilli.
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Agree. Mares every time. Get a good one and bond with it and it will give you its heart and soul and will come back to ask if you want some more and will give it glady.
 
Stormy123456 said:
I have a mare, and she is consistant - never shows when in season: always up for the job and never known her to be moody. There are exceptions to every 'rule'. Love mine, and it wouldn't bother me whether I looked for a gelding or mare for my next horse.
Also agree with kerilli.
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SNAP :)

I've had 3 mares in a row now....All been true stars.....never grumpy, sorry, sore or "off"... Latest one has is now 6 and in the last 2 years had not really put a foot wrong! The whole yard love her as she is so sweet and at over 17hh she has had on oldie on top that is too scared to do anything than walk and a young kid. Totally looked after them and then will perform for an experienced rider as she did when I took her Eventing for the 1st time 2 weeks ago....Double clear....... Totally honest... Love her love her love her :)
 
I have had a "bad" mare and swore I would never have another.

I now have a "good" mare and love her to pieces, it just depends on the individual horse.
 
There are 2 mares on the yard that seem really relaxed and not too stroppy, even when in season.
But the other mares on the yard are just needy and fussy and really stroppy. The mare next to my stable is awful, i just keep away from her. And there are 2 welsh mares that will take a chunk out of anyone or thing and will happily aim a kick too if you aren't careful
 
Mares DO ask more questions. But they will give you a lot more if they're on side. I have a mare, she's not hormonal but she is harder work to get going correctly, and heaven help you if you ask her to work both ends of the day!
 
i think mares can be harder work - they ask more questions and demand more of a rider - ie less forgiving.
but i do think that once you have their respect and loyalty they will work that extra bit for you

in terms of comps i agree its probably the breeding aspect - and also the consistancy - although with all the suppliments that can be given i think this is less of an issue than it used to be
(saying that my mare is at her best if she can eat raspberrys - fruit and canes - so its back to natural remedies for us - it also means she self regulates what she needs - i dont have any hormonal bother from her)
 
I've always heard mares will always try that bit more harder, that bit more braver and consistent then geldings...

Whether that's true or not I don't know!

As for me, I've had a mare and gelding... Prefer geldings but I wouldn't over look a mare.
 
I must admit, I've never owned a mare because generally I get on better with (and just end up with) geldings. The few mares I've ridden and really liked though, have been rather phenomenal. Little farm-bred appy pony springs to mind. Hot and tricky, and liked to run out..but once you had her on side, MY GOD could that pony jump.

Spose geldings are more consistent..or maybe top riders just gel better with geldings :P
 
kerilli said:
i prefer mares, and the golden rule is that if you get a good mare at a high level, she will be exceptional... in any sphere. But, day to day, geldings are more reliable.
Also of course, because a mare can have an alternative career, there's always that option if she gets a slight injury, whereas with a gelding there's more of a vested interest in getting him right if at all possible, and back out competing again. This might explain a bit of the skew in numbers at high level.
i think mares are slightly more generous if they are absolutely on side, they are less likely to be cheeky when the chips are absolutely down (e.g. less likely to run out at a skinny, say, if you leave the door open). They may take longer to get onside, because, like stallions, you have the whole horse, but once they're there, they're fantastic.
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I'm with kerilli on this one :). Im very lucky that I have never had very noticeable changes in my mares behaviour but every so often we do have a session in which she works against me rather than with me, being a typical woman and determined she's right! However she's exceptionally bold and honest :), and I can trust her to do her utmost to help us out if we have a squiffy moment!, where as my geldings are absolute wusses!
 
I'm definitely a gelding person. I've owned and ridden plenty of mares, but just generally get on a bit better with geldings - I think they suit my type of riding and temperament better.

That said I wouldn't rule out a mare, as I do think a good one can be exceptional - but first choice would be a gelding.
 
be positive said:
I have known some lovely mares but they are generally more sensitive which means they are more tricky to deal with in some way.

They are less suited to a lack of stability and routine so usually more settled in a quiet private yard or a pro yard, the pros are more able to get the best out of them but often lack time or inclination to do so.

The ideal scenario for many mares would be to live with someone like kerilli, who can offer a quiet professional approach in a small yard but has the time to go at the horses pace without the pressure of owners expecting results. It is probably why they work well for you and you like them:)
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aww, thankyou. yes, i was once lamenting the fact that I hadn't sent my top mare to a top Pro who would have been able to magic a real dressage test out of her... and my trainer said 'she probably wouldn't have lasted 5 mins in a Pro yard, they wouldn't have put up with her.' my low-key way of revolving the yard around her, worked for her. lots of things had to be done HER way, or not at all... stable doorways had to be a certain way, having the whole lorry to herself (yes, really!), that sort of thing.
btw she NEVER showed when she was in season, not in the slightest, and was totally consistent in her little quirks too... they were nothing to do with being marish, just her.
Daisy is very opinionated but not mareish either, and I've had to do a lot of things her way... but it's finally reaping rewards I hope.
You can't have an ego around mares, that's for sure! i much prefer mares, don't have a gelding on the place at the moment.
 
Totally agree with kerrelli.

My mare is the sweetest little thing. Yes, she has taken time but I don't think that's because she is a mare, I think it's her breed with a mix of my own abilities (or lack of them :( )

For reasons kerrelli has explained, I will only consider entires.

Plus as I'm into my spanish ponies I would have had to look quite hard to find a gelding. Generally speaking the Spanish don't geld.
 
I've had mares and geldings and definitely get on better with geldings.

'Breed from the best and ride the rest!' may be why so many top level horses are geldings.

Although in dressage a lot of top horses are stallions so they don't discriminate against 'whole' horses but still seem to be less mares?
 
kerilli said:
i prefer mares, and the golden rule is that if you get a good mare at a high level, she will be exceptional... in any sphere. But, day to day, geldings are more reliable.
Also of course, because a mare can have an alternative career, there's always that option if she gets a slight injury, whereas with a gelding there's more of a vested interest in getting him right if at all possible, and back out competing again. This might explain a bit of the skew in numbers at high level.
i think mares are slightly more generous if they are absolutely on side, they are less likely to be cheeky when the chips are absolutely down (e.g. less likely to run out at a skinny, say, if you leave the door open). They may take longer to get onside, because, like stallions, you have the whole horse, but once they're there, they're fantastic.
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I agree totally. Maybe I have just been lucky and had very good mares who are never hormonal. The added bonus is if they are injured they have a alternative career.
 
There are actually a fair few mares at top level dressage: Woodlander Dornroschen and Farouche and Half Moon Delphi, all ridden by Michael Eilberg, Pasoa ridden by Nikki Crisp, Nadonna ridden by Gareth Hughes; and abroad, Sunrise and Imke Bartels, Girasol and Nadine Capellmann, Sister de Jeu and Edward Gal, Nadine and HP Minderhound....etc.

I do think a good mare is an amazing thing, but they have to be treated as individuals and are quicker to say "no eff you" than a gelding would be, but if you get them on your side they stay there! :D
 
Kerelli, your mares sound like real characters, I bet there's never a dull day on your yard!.

I love my mares, I have an elderly mare and her young daughter, and I am definately 'owned' by them, but in a nice way!.

They are quite demanding ladies when they want to be, and they get quite jealous if I turn my back on one to fuss the other. They are like chalk and cheese to look at, but their temperaments are very similar and they can be incredibly diva like when they want to be.

I love their quirks, it makes life a little more interesting and challenging and adds some much needed humour into the day to day going ons.

I really wouldnt swop them for the world.
 
ha, i cherish the dull days, that's when i know i've got everything right and all the inmates are happy... ;) ;)
someone told me that polo players really rate mares, that most of the real top ponies are mares, the Pony of the Match winners etc. no idea if it's true as I don't follow polo.
I agree with Halfstep, there are quite a few mares at top level dressage... ditto top showjumping mares, always have been some, going back to Dollar Girl (fabulous but quirky, who will ever forget those water ditches, argh!!!) etc etc.
I also think that because mares are braver (when they finally get their brave pants on, which is a different matter...) they will often 'take a joke' a lot better than a lot of geldings will. A horse being brave when ridden by a top Pro who is reliably accurate is one thing... a horse STAYING brave when ridden by an amateur who makes mistakes at big things, is quite another imho... that is a truly brave and generous horse.
 
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