Gelding preferred but would consider a mare

[windand rain]

Sure, I'm aware of that. Just not something I want for myself which is why I keep geldings.

I have had almost exclusively mares of all shapes and sizes for 40 years and never had a days difference whether they were in season or not. They have all been calm, gentle willing and would get you out od a fix if needed. Just shows how its the exception that proves the rule in your case

 

[Inda]

I only ever wanted mares. I've tried so hard to bond with geldings but I just find them a bit dull, they seems to have less opinions and more willing to go with the flow. I feel I'm being unreasonable, I don't know why I can't get along with geldings.

Saying that I thought I was buying a colt when I got my filly. I said I wanted the one with the blaze, having been kneed in the backside every time I paid attention to the other yearling. Breeder thought that was the boy, I was so happy it turned out to be the filly. The fabulous colt, now gelding, is still looking for a home if anyone would like a rising 3 unstarted dun PRE.

 

[DabDab]

I have had almost exclusively mares of all shapes and sizes for 40 years and never had a days difference whether they were in season or not. They have all been calm, gentle willing and would get you out od a fix if needed. Just shows how its the exception that proves the rule in your case

In a funny kind of way I also find it kind of sad when people (i don't mean you, just following on the train of thought) go to great lengths to say that their mares are absolutely not hormonal in any way, as if they can only be considered a good horse if they're completely non 'mareish'. I have a mare who can be affected by her hormones and is also quite sensitive, but I love her for the fact that she has a vulnerable quality to her personality and completely wears her heart on her sleeve, it's one of the things that makes her so special to me.

Sometimes reading threads about mares I do feel like she should be kept as a dirty secret - a horse who dares to have emotions and an opinion.

 

[Tiddlypom]

When I come across folk IRL who declare that they can't be doing with mares and so will only have geldings, and me observing how they ride and handle their geldings, it figures .

 

[milliepops]

I have a mare who can be affected by her hormones and is also quite sensitive, but I love her for the fact that she has a vulnerable quality to her personality and completely wears her heart on her sleeve, it's one of the things that makes her so special to me.

this is how I feel about mine <3
at times it's quite raw, how she is who she is, can't quite put it into words. Primitive and instinctive. especially because she is native and has the pony brain, survival is running through her veins. And yet she accomodates me and tries her little heart out , to do stuff that makes no sense at all to her. Aren't they just amazing.

I have always liked mares, but this one that is the most marish... i feel the closest to her out of all of them.

 

[windand rain]

In a funny kind of way I also find it kind of sad when people (i don't mean you, just following on the train of thought) go to great lengths to say that their mares are absolutely not hormonal in any way, as if they can only be considered a good horse if they're completely non 'mareish'. I have a mare who can be affected by her hormones and is also quite sensitive, but I love her for the fact that she has a vulnerable quality to her personality and completely wears her heart on her sleeve, it's one of the things that makes her so special to me.

Sometimes reading threads about mares I do feel like she should be kept as a dirty secret - a horse who dares to have emotions and an opinion.

I actually agree with you my mares have always been very special, they have huge personality and have had the entire sensitivity. They are not raging homonal monsters which is what I was trying to say but are true to their people, they are full of personality, will think quickly and get you out of a fix ,and will always be one step ahead if you dont keep up. This is why I prefer mares, They are not samey or lacking in any way it is their being entire, hormones and all that make them so individual, They are more sensitive and more aware of your mood and feelings than I have ever found a gelding to be.
Geldings I have owned have been quirky without being sensitive, or boring as they were so dim or a challenge because they were stubborn and couldnt really think for themselves and realise there actions were counter productive. As I said above the two horses I have met that would kill you as soon as look at you were both geldings.
It was the image of mares being raging dragons every three weeks that annoyed me as I have never seen that in all the times I have owned them. The diva princess was probably more of that type but she was easy and kind, the only homonal thing she did was squirt at the gelding over the fence making her legs dirty. I used to get annoyed when people put bad training and bad manners down to being a mare, it isnt it is bad training and bad manners and would equally be applied to thuggish geldings too. Lack of performance is rarely due to being in season but more to do with how the rider/owner reacts to it
Now I am not bothered if they cannot see it "there is none so blind as those that will not see"