I've tried a gelding but can't say I'll rush the idea of it again.

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Laced Reins

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My 5yo ridden horse defines ridiculous. Everything’s from a rug to a too sudden a movement is a perfect enough threat to scare the living day lights out of him and cause great upset.
As soon as I think 'Yep, I think we're going through a sane enough phase to try hacking again', I've been chucked off and we're back to lunging and trying to get on and stay on.

My 2yo on the other hand, will let you do anything and everything to her.

After only ever owning mares, it's safe to say my gelding confirms everything I didn't want him to be. A typical man! Scared of his own shadow but too stubborn and narrow minded to get over his precious existence.

The only skills I've learn is how to catch uncatchable ponies and how to land as safely as possible when you know you're going to fall off!
 
Whereas I've had both and don't think you can stereotype. The geldings have been the more straightforward though on the whole, but def no pattern. Entirely down to the indiv nag and their temperament, not gender :D
 
Having had 2 geldings, then 2 mares and now a gelding (I'm old ;)); I believe it's nothing to do with their sex, but more down to individual temperament.

That said, I am loving my boy - no hormones!
 
I can't cope with mares, and have never successfully ridden or cared for one. I can make the most placid, well behaved mare turn into a angry, bad tempered nightmare. It's a skill...
 
3 geldings, all super kind and never inclined to buck people off or generally behave in an unreasonable manner. Can't be bothered with mares, myself - we have personality clashes :cool:
 
All the mares we've had have been mardy, stroppy & didn't like the slightest bit of love & attention, whereas the boys have been dead easy & very loving. Give me a gelding any day :D
 
No I do agree you can’t stereotype. But it does make me feel a feminist!

All other horses I’ve ridden in the past beyond my own, I always find myself preferring mares. Just odd I guess.
 
I've had 4 mares, 2 geldings and 1 colt that'll soon be a gelding.. I have to say, i only liked 1 of the mares (my current horse - Gem) but loved every single one of the geldings! 2 of which i still have :).. I actually think some of it comes down to the rider/owner.. i am a gelding person (or though Gem is a mare, i love her cos she acts like a gelding.. not to complicated). MIL is a mare person.. we all have our own likes/dislikes :) sometimes you get a bit of a throw in the mix - like i have with Gem .. but yes it's what suits you:)

Did you have your chap from a baby? You mentioned about your 2 y/o - sometimes it helps having them super young so you can bring them on like you want them to turn out! :-)
 
I had two mares and now a gelding (I didn't want a gelding) my two girls were stroppy, stubborn and complete laws onto themselves my boy on the other hand is the most cheeky, lovable chap and I wouldn't swap him for the world! Like the others have said I don't think you can sterotype think its definitely an individual thing!
 
No, only had the little chap for around 6 months now and his history is debatable due to the breeder sadly passing away and sellers being debatable on whether they were truthful or not.

I also have an 11yo arabian mare with my mum whilst I'm at uni (the 5yo gelding was now for me as a horse for life and 2yo for the both of us as we had a huge need for a welsh cob back in the family). The 11yo mare is also a horse we'd never sell. 4 years and she's been a terror too but all of her issues have been easier to deal with.
 
Ime mares are generally more opinionated, & like doing things their way or the high way. So much as I like geldings, I'll always prefer mares, I like the mareish streak!
 
I always ha geldings, the first horse I bought was a mare and I'm am definitely a mare person now'a'days! I think mares have a bit more about them an want to please a lot more once their on your side! :)
 
I have one of each. My mare is loyal, clever, brave and all the things you admire in a woman. My gelding, who I've not had as long, is what you would call on dial up and not broadband! lol

He's a gentle soul for a big horse but it takes a long time for things to sink in! I'm just not used to that so its a learning curve for us both!
 
I am a mare person. I have tried to be open minded but no, I rarely click with geldings. My current home-bred lad is probably most people's dream horse, but if I am honest he just doesn't cut it compared to his dam, he is a bit of a bargy oaf. Mares seem more with it and sensitive.
 
Having ridden mares for the biggest part of my life, I would say I prefer mares.

Then again, having worked at a racing yard where the mares were real nightMARES, I thought geldings were easier and nicer to be around.

Then along came Big Ears, and on our third day out hunting she's treating it like she's been doing it all her life, no mareish behaviour and generally super laid back. My friend on her gelding has taken him four times and is having a real time getting him to settle! I think their stereotype temperaments have been switched!

(I know it's all about the individual horses, I'm just giving examples!)
 
Nicnac said:
Having had 2 geldings, then 2 mares and now a gelding (I'm old ;)); I believe it's nothing to do with their sex, but more down to individual temperament.

That said, I am loving my boy - no hormones!
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Completely agree. My gelding is trustworthy with your life. You can trust him to get you out of a fix (getting lost, on suddenly boggy ground...etc). I can take him anywhere and know he won't be a a complete idiot (although he does get excited). It's actually my mare who's scared of common things, but with confidence building that's changing. We managed a walk today without her squealing, lol! She's also a silent cycler. I wouldn't know from her temperament when she's in season, that's for sure.

She's also less clever than my gelding (judging by common 'problem solving' scenarios, such as working out that to get to her bucket, she needs to go along the fence and through the gate). So, I'm another that thinks you really can't stereotype by gender.
 
I prefer mares generally; not always the easiest on an occasional basis but once you have built up a relationship with one as your own personally I find them more co-operative. Our mare is super snuggly but as an ex racer maybe she didn't get much attention there
 
We were talking about this the other day!

Being painfully aware that Daughter will one day in the not too distant future be acquiring her 2nd pony, should it be a mare or gelding, or not an issue because we'll get the best pony we can regardless of gender?

Dolly is a TYPICAL chestnut mare!!! Grumpy, opinionated, thinks she knows best (sounds like me!!!) BUT on the other hand, she is loyal (ie she chucks others off more than she chucks Daughter off :p) and clever (knows every trick in the book to get out of worK!!!!) BUT she is not so brave.

She's not very spooky to be honest, she just has a serious flight mechanism! Most things don't bother her and she's a star to hack. But when you find that one thing does bother her, you can usually find her about 3 fields away with daughters legs flying in the air, hanging on for dear life!!!

Strange orange pony!

Part of me longs for a simplier life, with a gelding that won't argue so much, but daughter is a very big mare fan. She says boys are wimps :cool: and boring :rolleyes: (all this is going to change in a few years!) and that they don't have as big a brain as a mare, and she wouldn't bond the same with a gelding!! ;)

So who knows!!!

One thing I do know, I've read the dodgy "bean" threads and there is NO WAY I am getting my hands up in **there**!!!!!

:eek:
 
I like them both the same, though my best horse ever has been a mare (still is). But when looking for a new horse, I go on character first and then ability. So gender has nothing to do with it.
 
I adore mares and always have one as my first riding horse. However,have a gelding too who is very special, loyal and wise in a silent way.

The main difference I've noticed is that the mares are conversationalists, they want to tell you things and want you to be aware that they have a sense of self and can be trusted to be part of decision making.
The boys seem to be happy for a quiet life, tell 'em what you want and as long as they understand, they'll get on with it, as cooperation makes tea time come quicker.
 
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