Mare, gelding or stallion?

Out of choice, which would you pick and why?? (State why by post)

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PonyFeet10

PonyFeet10

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Which one and why?

Say if you were looking to buy another, is there a specific gender you would look for?

I ask as my two mares seem to prefer horse company rather than human. They can be really sweet at times but would be happier out in the field together rather than stood with me!

On the other hand my colt/stallion loves people, craves attention all the time, plays with me and is also very intelligent (which he knows and shows!!). If I go out to his field to check water trough etc, on my way out I have to keep the gate right up against me as he tries to follow me in. Where ever I am he'd prefer to be there.

I have never owned a gelding but have worked with them, looked after, ridden and had one sharing my horses field at one stage. They don't seem as intelligent as the colt/stallion and are rather laid back in a nice gentle way without stropping like my mares occasionally do.

I know there are exceptions, but what would you look for if you bought another (if you were in the situation where you could keep a colt/stallion)?
 
I have to say that I have had some really bright, intelligent geldings, and some totally thick stallions.

I have a stallion, I have no use for geldings (excluding Charley who is a pet) and only buy mares for myself now, and even then only specific bloodlines and colours.

Youngsters... I buy to sell. I am not fussed about the gender, as long as they look pretty (people really do prefer a pretty pony) and have all the bits in the right place. Most of the youngsters I take are papered QH's or Paints, sometimes I'll buy unpapered babies if they come along at the right time.
 
My first horse was a gelding and I love him but when I got my mare as a companion I decided that I would always have mares. I just find mare's, although sometimes quirky, very intelligent and quick. I agree that when you get a good mare they really do give you that bit extra. Next year I am hoping to get a weanling and a yearling filly- more ladies :D my lucky gelding will think it's xmas come early. The odd thing is that I much prefer dogs to bitches but mares to geldings or stallions, must be a species thing.
 
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Mares :) Once you get on the good side of one (which can take some time), they really do give you that little bit extra. Most of the geldings I have ridden are not very intelligent, although I would buy one if I found one I liked. My only experiences of handling a stallion have been on a stud during coverings so can't comment much on them!
 
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i've had mares, geldings, colts and stallions. the best 'relationship' i've had has been with the geldings. for some reason i just cannot connect with a mare.

my OH says it's because there's only room for one mare and i'm that mare!
 
I have a gelding and a mare. I am definitely a gelding person. I find them, and of course I am taking an average as each are indiviual, more reliable than mares (not mares fault that she has seasons but still). However, I have really bonded with this particular mare and would have her over my gelding. If that makes sense. I only have her because she was a bargain. I would never normally look at mares in honesty. I tend to just write them off. I've worked with both but until my filly have always preferred the boys.

I have nothing against stallions at all but as I don't have the facilities to keep one they are out of the question for me. Lots of presence there though so I certainly see the appeal
 
Tough one.

Gelding if you want something reliable that you know you will always be placed with out competing.
Mares if you want to win lots but be prepared for lots of times coming nowhere :p

I've always had geldings, then I rode a mare for her owners and now I own a mare. She is very mareish, she is feisty and opinionated but I wouldn't want to change her for the world!
Once they put their trust in you they have that extra "edge" and "sparkle".
 
Thanks for all of your replies, I've really enjoyed reading them and having a giggle at the post by nosenseofdirection :D

I did think that geldings would be the first choice so I have been quite shocked about how many have chosen mares.

However my next horse I think I'd prefer to get a gelding as I've not owned one before. Also because I can't have another stallion with my present one due to lack of space and both of my mares seemed to come to me rather than me to them so I couldn't change that! :)
 
I would go stallion, mare, gelding. Simply for the satisfaction you get from working with them. Geldings may be easier but if you get that bond, a stallion or a mare will try harder for you :)
 
PonyFeet10 said:
I ask as my two mares seem to prefer horse company rather than human. They can be really sweet at times but would be happier out in the field together rather than stood with me!
Click to expand...

This is one of the reasons I prefer geldings - a gelding makes a better friend.

All the mares I have had have been exactly as you describe above and all were complete tarts!
 
Ive loaned/shared/looked after for a long time 5 geldings and a 2/3 mares. Which is strange because i seem to bond much more strongly with the mares. I find geldings a bit 'meh' as if they're not bothered about you. Yes mares can be moody, but i have found them to be much more affectionate. Maybe i have just been lucky though. I love my geldings, but i don't often feel they love me. When a mare likes you though, you know about it :)

Have also been around a few colts and they are cheeky little monkeys. Tonnes of personality so can see the attraction, but i dunno, we just don't click.

ETA: most of these horses were at least half arab. Just 2 geldings which weren't. So that could be a big factor. The ones i bonded most with were a full arab mare, an arab x lipi mare and an anglo arab gelding. Then my share who is full arab. We have our nice moments and i love him to pieces, but he's not outwardly affectionate and never looks particularly glad to see me. Two of the geldings (one a late cut) who had no arab blood were the least affectionate (WB + Cob). So maybe its arabs who are affectionate?
 
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Mares. I get on well with the girls, and they really do dig deep for you if you connect with them. When you have a good mare, you have a great mare. Geldings, don't seem so exciting (without sounding offensive to all you gelding owners) and Stallions are like mares, but harder to keep generally.
 
I loooove mares! I wouldn't dream of owning anything else!
I actually think their moodiness is fun- a sort of challenge I guess :D
When you've won their heart, you've got it for good, and at least with my girl, they are totally loyal once you've proved yourself to them.

(And old mares are my absolute favorite- old moody mares) hehe
 
I own 5 mares, a filly, a gelding and a colt (who will also be a gelding soon) so the girls outweigh the boys somewhat :) I have only ever bought one gelding, the colt I bred, yes I would have loved a filly but I will never sell the colt. I definitely prefer mares, they always seem to be much more interesting characters :)
 
I have 2 mares and a gelding. My gelding is propbably the nicest horse out of the three. He is willing to work, pretty, kind, gentle, likes spending time with you etc. However I chose mare as I think for competitions etc. they have a bit more about them.
 
if i had to choose it would be a gelding.
They are generally more level and you know what to expect.
I had a mare that would be so loving, then would literally bite your head off.
Having a stallion would be difficult, so sexualy charged!

However, if i found the perfect horse i wouldnt be put off but its gender,they are all individuals.

My 6 year old geling was a stallion untill 3 so he still thinks he is a stallion (playing and bousterous, not worried about mares luckily) and isnt a "normal" laid back gelding!!
 
Oh god, that's a tuff choice, if you held a knife at my throat and made me choose, I just go with what came into my head first to be honest because I really believe it's just down the individual horse, not the gender.

Oh go on then, I'll say mare ...the tables have turned!
 
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