Would you buy a mare for dressage?

[lcormack]

As the heading says, really, or would a mare put you off?

 

[SirenaXVI]

Yes definately

All mine are mares

 

[Pixxie]

not at all, i dont think it makes a difference at all, i know many mares that do a fantastic dressage test

x

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Why do you ask the question about dressage in particular?

 

[lcormack]

I have found a mare I like to buy but I am surprised by the number of people that say to me that they would not compete a mare. I have had mares before and have never found them to be a problem, maybe a bit more sensitive and you can't bully them but I am just curious if other people were put off by competing a mare.

 

[Donkeymad]

I wouldn't say no to a mare for any discipline

 

[Minnies_Mum]

I've never found much difference between mares I've owned/ridden and geldings (although I am only competing at low level dressage).

I had one mare on loan who once decided she didn't like Prelim 10 and stood up in the arena (!) but on the whole she was a much easier ride than my TB gelding. My sister's dressage horse is a mare and was easy as pie when I used to ride her a lot.

You get good and bad examples of both, as far as I can tell.

 

[Ezme]

I think theres just a slightly higher chance of a personality clash with a mare so there are more people who have had issues with them about whereas I don't think anyone would say they don't get on with geldings as a rule

 

[Tinkle]

I have heard it said that 'get a good gelding and you get a good horse, get a good mare and you get a great horse'. Probably came from a mare lover so not sure how true it is but still. I like my mare and would have another but she has been a bit of a pain at times. I don't think she would have been reliable as a competition horse but then that's probably just her. It wouldn't put me off buying another mare though.

x

 

[measles]

All my best ones have been mares, so without a doubt!

 

[LadyRascasse]

i do dressage with my mare, my gelding used to be amazing but i'm beginning t come round to the fact my mare is gonna be better, she is already holding herself nicely

 

[Divasmum]

My best ever horse was a mare. Go for it.

 

[peanut]

You've obviously never seen Blue Hors Matine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw

 

[mygeorge]

mares and stallions are both entires and need to be ridden with a bit more tact. Geldings are eunuchs and can be less sensitive though breeding and upbringing play a part in temprament. I always have mares for everything and wouldn't consider anything else. They will dig very deep for you when you've got them on your side. Have fun.

 

[black_horse]

i have a dressage mare and she is fantastic! yes she can be hormonal, and sometimes you just have to walk away and leave it for a day, but when you enter that arena and they really switch on for you, they have a sparkle and an x factor no gelding could even come close to you! they have such presense and charisma, and if you strike a good bond with your mare, they help you through thick and thin

i love my mare!

 

[Kate260881]

I have always thought that on a good day a gelding of similar talent will not beat a mare. They just have that extra oomph!

Having said that, that is on a good day.... you've got to be prepared to go through the bad days too

 

[Kenzo]

No, mares only come with three legs, geldings come with a full set of four.

I think mares and geldings are both equally as talanted, although I'm a gelding person myself.

 

[amandaco2]

yes.3 of em.

 

[black_horse]

[ QUOTE ]
I have always thought that on a good day a gelding of similar talent will not beat a mare. They just have that extra oomph!

Having said that, that is on a good day.... you've got to be prepared to go through the bad days too

[/ QUOTE ]

haha so true!

 

[miller]

Balleseyr Royale (sp) ????

I know alot of pro's that prefer stallions to mares but personally if the horse did the job it wouldn't bother me!