Geldings v mares....

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Makes no difference as long as you can ride. A totally rubbish rider has a slightly better chance at coping with a gelding, they tend to take a bit more sh1t than mares IMO.
 
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Makes no difference as long as you can ride. A totally rubbish rider has a slightly better chance at coping with a gelding, they tend to take a bit more sh1t than mares IMO.

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Thanks KVS that comment has said it all for me
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Many many thanks for all your input everyone, it has been really interesting listening to what you have had to say.

What comes out from a lot of the posts is that mares are more intelligent and think more than geldings
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However I actually find that quite a scarey thought - I enjoy my riding but I am not a natural rider, so I think a gelding would tend to be more my style as it would put up with me better
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I am very glad I asked the question though, it has been really interesting, and at least I can now make a decision based on feedback and comments from a number of people rather than my own rather vague ideas
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Ive owned 3 mares, 4 colts and 6 geldings. I dont have a particular preference but given the horses at my current yard, I am very happy that I own a gelding. I think there are some rather extreme mares at the yard, but nonetheless they make me grateful for my simple straightforward gelding.
 
i've had a mare and currently have a gelding. would have either again but the mare was a chestnut and she lived up to the stereotype never buy a chestnut mare. but i would have a mare again.

couldnt disagree more about mares having stronger personalites. my boy has more character than is good for him sometimes lol and i have met mares that i just think theres nothing about this horse.
 
I've had geldings and mares. Owned/loaned 3 geldings and one mare, and have been riding a mare for the last several months.

Overall, I think my preference is for geldings. I like a sensitive horse, but my favourite horse [which might sway my judgement] was a gelding. He was very very sensitive and intelligent, but he would also try his heart out for me but didn't have the obnoxious, argumentative streak that I've seen in mares. I've found with geldings that they have plenty of spirit and character, but I just get on a bit better with them. In my experience they are a bit more straightforward, where mares are more like women - they can be wonderful or a total pain in the arse!

Neither of the mares I've had/ridden a lot are very mareish or difficult mares by any means, but both have a bit more of a stubborn streak than geldings I've had. With the mare I ride at the moment, Daisy, she's actually very obliging but she can be very argumentative about things, and though sometimes she will put 120% in to get me out of trouble if I bury her in a fence, by contrast if shes not feeling it she can be very quick to say "nah sod off."

The saying "tell a gelding, ask a mare" is very apt IMO, and for myself geldings just suit me a bit better. I wouldn't rule out a mare for my next horse - and I think if you get a good mare and you really bond then they will go to the ends of the earth for you.
 
I have always loved mares; always! I always try to buy mares, however when you have to buy as many horses as I do, this is not always possible so I have a fair few geldings here now, and I have to say I have certainly come round to liking them. They are very different from mares and I don't believe you ever really get the closeness that you do with a mare, however they are pretty nice creatures nevertheless. I think I still have more females than geldings. My geldings are very easy going in comparison to my mares and are far easier to deal with etc etc; however there is something that I absolutely adore about my mares.
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I swore 20 years ago after having a 'mare of a mare that I would never have another. Since then I have had 3 horses on loan, 1st mare, then a gelding then another mare. They were all nutters but the gelding was the worst and damn near killed me.

8 years ago I set out to buy a gelding and ended up with Rosie! So very obviously a mare and then 4 years ago my OH got a mare too.

They have their moments but I don't think that's because they're mares, it's because they're TB's!!!!

IMO mares are a pleasure to own.
 
I don't care either way. I agree with what others have said, mares generally have more character and once you win them over, they are your friend for life. I would say it has taken a good year to "win over" my mare, but she trusts me more and more each day. I would never say no to a horse because of its sex, though atm I am a mare person, because I have only ever had one horse who is a mare!!
 
Our first horse was a gelding, who was a very nice gent. Since then we have had mares, nine in all over the years, 3 currently, would not have a gelding again. The mares will look after you more, yes they think and can be a challenge, but if you belong to them then they will take care of you.
 
I thought the same thing when I came to buying my first horse. I thought mares will be even more unpredictable especially when in season.

But then I viewed my lovely coloured and she was really nice to ride, great temperament. Got her home and was worrying bout what shes like in season but all she does is lift her tail, get a little sensitive in the back which is understandable but it doesnt make her grumpy. The gelding opposite likes to sniff her and she allows it for a few mins then kicks his door to tell him to back off hehe. Such a tease.

Another bonus is you dont have to clean a sheath!
 
We have three geldings and three mares (although one of them is a is 3 month old filly).
Boys can be stubborn, rude and bolshy but get over things quickly.
Girls can be moody, take a long time to trust and forgive you but loyal.
just like my son and daughters really!
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I have one of each though I never intended to have a mare! Geldings for me by choice. My YO always reminds me that mares, like stallions, are entire. My gelding is honest, easy, straightforward. A gent and he puts up with cuddles and pink gear lol! My mare is more stand-offish though when she does get a burst of affection it is real and deep. She likes to do everything on her terms though and that can make life very difficult. When she can't get her own way and is MADE to do things the look on her face would curdle milk. Fellow liveries say she is just like her owner - that's a scary thought!!!
 
Having owned a mare, and loaned (and seen) a gelding, I would never, ever go for a gelding. Mares have personality, where for the most part geldings don't seem to. I love having the yucky side, it shows personality, which a lot of geldings have lost. Good luck, I wouldn't do anything other than a mare.
 
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Having owned a mare, and loaned (and seen) a gelding, I would never, ever go for a gelding. Mares have personality, where for the most part geldings don't seem to. I love having the yucky side, it shows personality, which a lot of geldings have lost. Good luck, I wouldn't do anything other than a mare.

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I couldn't disagree more. Geldings tend to be more consistent and less moody, but that doesn't mean they lack personality.

My gelding has bags of it. He is also intelligent (too smart sometimes) and will try his socks off for me. I've had 3 geldings and 1 mare and the boys were definately the ones that were fun to be with.

I think which we prefer comes down more to our own personailities. I'm a very logical, practical person and I know it would frustrate me to have to deal with a moody mare so I would avoid having one.
 
I have owned 4 chestnut mares! If i liked the description of the horse, i would go and see mare or gelding, i have had some majorly shity geldings, it is all a myth, go and try some you may be suprised!
 
DONT GET A MARE !!!!

(i love my mare really)

i went out looking for a gelding, and came home with a chestnut mare - and she is a stroppy one at that.
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she can be nice (she doesnt bite or kick just moody and a tart)
however i do have to say my mare has more spirit and character than alot of the geldings i know (not all, trying to be PC here)

If i was buying again i'd try quite hard to get a gelding i think. Mares are pain in the bum.
 
Had both, always said wouldn't had mares but first two horses we bought were mares and were brilliant. Currently own one mare and one gelding, mare is very easy to deal with, gelding is a proper drama queen! Think if you get a mare on your side she is a friend for life.
 
It'd be a girlie all the way for me. We have been lucky enough to own our older girl for nearly 19 years and she is an absolute star - BSJA, BHS eventing, whipped in, hunted for 13 seasons and is now having an easier life pony clubbing with my 11 year old daughter.

We hadn't owned a gelding in over 20 years and by chance ended up with a boy earlier this year. He's quite sweet and amiable, but not covinced he is a 'forever horse'.

My hubby hunts and rides more than me and I know he is not everstruck on the boy - but he has been privlidged enough to have had super mares over the last 22 years or so! IMO if you have a good mare, she will try anything!
 
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I couldn't disagree more. Geldings tend to be more consistent and less moody, but that doesn't mean they lack personality.



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Quite. Two of the geldings I had had much more personality than my mare - one was a really cheeky little sod and the other as I said above, was very sensitive but had a real heart of gold along with a sense of humour!

I think you can get both mares and geldings with or without much personality - but a lack of stroppiness doesn't mean a horse lacks personality.
 
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IMO if you have a good mare, she will try anything!

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As will my gelding. I think its more true to say if you have a good horse they will try anything!
 
Another chestnut mare fan here
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The only time I've had problems with mares is if theres a randy gelding out in the next field. And I would never keep my mare at a yard with a stallion. But if you can keep them seperate you don't normally have problems.
 
Originally I have only had mares, and did so for year. Then two geldings for nearly four years and now have one of each.

What you have to remember is that a mare is an entire - requires a little more respect and thought than a gelding. Rember the saying, you tell a gelding, ask a mare and discuss with a stallion - ask them nicely and they will go to the end for you.

I can totally understand why some people won't have them. All but one of my mares have been fine but the one I had that was very hormonal was to say the least difficult at times, but you work round it.

That said, I personally find a mare more loving, and has that extra spark and something that the gelding does not. You also have to build up a relationship - if a mare is not on your side, forget it.

Farra and I have had the discussion about one lead mare in the family, and luckily she agrees with me that it ain't her.
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I don't think you are comparing like for like; mares are entire, so closer to stallions in their intelligence and reactions.
I have always got on ok with geldings, mares and stallions, but you must treat entires with a little more respect if they are to work for you.
My three horses just now are all mares - I don't find them hormonal, or moody, and have no problems with them. In the past my older mare has been out with stallions, next to stallions, and worked in the school with stallions, and she is no problem at all.
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Rember the saying, you tell a gelding, ask a mare and discuss with a stallion - ask them nicely and they will go to the end for you.

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A friend of mine rides stallions, geldings and mares and she has revised that saying:

Tell a gelding
Ask a stallion
Negotiate with a mare

But she loves mares so isnt criticising.

I have a fantastic mare, full of personality and gives her all...the only place we hit a difficult spot is when she doesnt understand what I want and rather than reinforce I usually find a different way to explain it. Once understood there is absolutely no argument.

Remember...you can often get a fab mare cheaper.
 
I found mares harder to ride when i was younger/less patient/learning to ride, so i prefered geldings then.
but now we only have mares or stallions on the yard (makes more sense than a gelding). i find mares have more to give you, which in a competition environment is a must. And being able to ride tricky mares has got me rides on the more marish horses about. so I'm definatley a mare person!
 
I have a gelding who is SUCH a mare
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I havent got a preference for either any more tbh, but if there were two I liked equally, I would prefer a gelding. Generally they are easier to sell if nothing else!!!
 
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My mare is more stand-offish though when she does get a burst of affection it is real and deep. She likes to do everything on her terms though and that can make life very difficult. When she can't get her own way and is MADE to do things the look on her face would curdle milk. Fellow liveries say she is just like her owner - that's a scary thought!!!


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you have just described my mare down to the ground! (err have had the owner comment too on occasion!!
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Whilst I would never rule out a gelding and regularly ride and deal with geldings, I always seem to be drawn to mares and have only ever owned mares. I sometimes wish that my dominant little baggage would be a bit more consistent, particularly in the competition arena, like some of my friends' giant soft geldings, but on the whole I love the constant challenge of her and the way she is COMPLETELY transparent about how she feels about everything, good and bad!!
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