Mares!

Mid

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Do you prefer owning mares or geldings? Or doesn't it matter to you, as long as the horse is nice? x) Personally, I'd rather go for a gelding, they just seem to be more affectionate, while all the mares I've met have been pretty independant. So... Tell me
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And if you really feel that gender shouldn't matter, you can yell at me
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I know that some mares go a bit crazy when in season. Have you any experience of this?

Sorry about all these bizarre questions
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Mares everytime - they have a mind of their own, and are not afraid to tell you!!!!!!!!!!

The other evening Donkey looked over her stable wall at her pal Murphy - she is in season and he obviously did not say the right thing as she swung round to wallop the stable wall and slung me up against the wall in the process!!!!!!!! And I completly understood how she felt!!!

PS She was mortified when I shouted that she had crushed me!
 
Ive always preferred geldings for the same reasons. However, the first 2 horses I bought after my long horsey break were mares! I love them to bits but can see why people often choose geldings!

It was so nice to get Viento as he's so cuddly and I missed that!
 
i generally get attatched more to mares, but there was a special gelding at my old yard that had a massive personality!! i think as long as they have massive personality it's ok, i juts generally find it in mares.
 
When looking for a horse last year i didnt want a mare, but there was so many more for sale than geldings!
And i eventually bought a mare, love her to bits and so glad i did!
She's not crazy when in season just a little bit of a tart, but knows when she is working she has to do as she is told, and listens to me.
So dont let it put you off.
Infact my mare and my sisters gelding live together and he is not lovable at all, he cant be bothered with being fussed where Lady loves a cuddle and lots of kisses.
 
Honestly- Im not too fussed. I have a 1 in a million mare- grumpy, marsh and the boss of everything posessing a heartbeat at our place, but my god do I love her, dad bought her because she was the right horse for the job, not because she was the right woman for it. Saying that I love my boys too, although they are very posessive of her.
 
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I'd rather go for a gelding, they just seem to be more affectionate

[/ QUOTE ] I don't find that at all. I hate to say it but as much as I love dermot I wish he was more mare like, I'm finding it hard to bond propely with him. I adore the relationship of a mare and its owner/rider there very rewarding, honest and once your close you really are such a team. I know with my mares would do anything for me.
 
Got one of each and my gelding is a lot more loving and cuddly than my mare. He is as soppy as they come whereas she is as stroppy as they come!!! Still love them both to bits though
 
Had always ridden geldings, till I shared and then brought my mare. Don't think I would choose to have a gelding again. O.K, my mare can get quite tarty when in season, but isn't marish to handle/ride. I did find it took longer to really gel with her, but that old saying about when you have a mare on side that they will die for you, almost came true when we were attacked by a large German Shepherd. I personally think mares tend to be more one to one type horses.
 
used to be a gelding person, till i got my new mare, she has so much more personality and isnt horrible, she has wonderful stable manners and is lovely to handle, but you can really connect with her
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I have a passion for my mares - I really enjoy them all and their quirkiness and their characters. They are far more affectionate than the geldings in my opinion.

I adore my stallion; literally adore him! He is the most affectionate of the lot of my horses. He just loves his Mummy
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....that'd be me
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.

And my geldings? Well they are absolute stalwarts! Never have any trouble from them, they all get on well together, never cause bother and are just good all round guys.
 
I have had both genders although I have to say i think mares give that wee bit more when it comes to competitiveness ( is that a word ? lol ) .... My gelding that i had well he was just so silly and dumb at times , sorry minstrel lol but loveable ... if he could talk .. he would be the type of person to say .. " what me ?? *thick and dumb voice* I didnt do it, it wasnt me honest ! :P :P
 
Depends what I'm buying. Because of the stereotyping geldings are easier to sell if I'm buying to sell on then I will buy a gelding. If I'm buying something for myself to compete then it doesn't matter. Mares sometimes try harder, are tidier jumpers and I personally think that a good mare is better than any gelding. On the other hand mares are temperamental and geldings obviously aren't - can be so much simpler to work with, plus if you have one that has 'presence' then it's not necessarily the boring option...
 
Hard choice for me tbh :/ I also think people can either get along with mares or they cant and it depends upon the type of rider / handler they are (just as some people never ever seem to click with stallions where as others find them fabulous).

For me, my geldings have probably been more affectionate over all. Both my chestnut mares were amazing... and one of those was very affectionate, although the other was more independent and aloof. I think both mares and geldings can give you there all depending upon the bond between horse and rider and their personalities.

I think *generally* geldings can be more cooperative, laid back and possibly more suitable for a first time owner, but again, it does depend. I just think its harder to find a mare that's as relaxed as many geldings can be
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That make sense ?
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I have to say though, if i was looking for a new horse, I'd never set out with a strict "i want a mare / gelding" attitude. For me its down to the horse and i happily consider either.
 
Ive got both!!! The mares have always been easier in general although I did have one who was horrid when in season sometimes and very independent at times. My current mares are really lovely, gentle and lovin and sensible with others. The boys are still hooligans at 29+ yrs old. Always having to prove themselves!!! Typical men!!
I have said Id only have mares in future!!
 
When I was younger (ahem), I always preferred geldings, now I have two mares and two geldings and the geldings are great, but the mares are something else. It takes time and patience, but once you have bonded with a mare they will go that extra inch for you. The mare I ride is great - she is independent, thinks she is right most of the time and has to be asked nicely to do things, but when it counts I know she would never let me down. So mares every time for me
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Mares 100% all the way!!
If I saw a perfect gelding I wouldn't pass it up just because it's a gelding but I look for mares!
 
I love my mares, so what if they can be a bit hormonal, so can I!! A mare has a distinct advantage over a gelding, if they suffer an injury which stops them being ridden, & they have good enough confirmation/temperment then at least you can breed from them. In the autumn I am going to own my 1st gelding in 30yrs (Prince wont be cut until then). The last one went to my sister while still a foal & uncut, & Bailey was on loan.
 
I think with mares you have to give and take a bit more than geldings. But if you work with them they are fab. I have had both. My mare at the mo is fab to do in the stable would not bite or kick but she can throw her toys our her pram, just let her do it and then ask again
 
I love my boys, never had a mare, its not that i wouldn't look at one, just one has not come right for me!

Find the boys are very affectionate and need looking after! They are very reliant and trusting, soft and dopey!! I prefer them like that than an independant girlie!

I'm sure Brecks would be the type of boy if it wasn't for his mummy, would go out with his jumpers on back to front and socks on inside out...he definately needs a women to look after him!!!

Sam is a bit of a girl tbh....a bit of a pretty show pony! Loves being pampered and plaited!!
 
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