[katana77]

Like others have said, I think it's more about the personality of the horse than the gender. That being said, mares tend to have a personality I prefer more. I also say the same is true with male and female dogs...I prefer a female's personality. I love an animal that you have to gain their respect, even an animal that will test and retest you to see if you're deserving of their respect.

I've found the only gelding I actually enjoyed riding was rather mare like. You had to constantly be on him about paying attention, and if you made a mistake, he made sure you knew about it. My own mare is the same way, and I honestly wouldn't trader her for any other horse in the world. It took three years to get her to finally pay attention and do exactly what she was asked when she was asked, but I'm glad I did. She will give more now than any gelding I've ridden. Because of that bond we have, she's willing to show what she can really do.

[GotaDunQH]

Well, I've owned mares, owned geldings, and owned a stud. I'll take a gelding anyday. IMO, with a gelding (or the ones I've owned), they are pretty much the same from day to day. I always know what I'm going to get when I ride or work one. The mares, well....depending on where they were in the heat cycle...were sweet, but not consistent. If I owned another mare, it would be strictly for breeding purposes. As for studs, same thing as the mares...for breeding purposes. So for me, it's geldings all the way.

Jennifer

[Jennymac]

I think everyone has shared some excellent points and perspectives! So interesting to see what people like and dislike.

Before I got into training and starting and selling so many horses, and kept horses for a loooong time, I loved mares! I liked the challenge and the accomplishment of knowing that we came through a lot together, and triumphed and were finally soul sisters.

Now, having owned and worked so many horses, I don't want to go through as many ups and downs. I may not keep my horse forever either. So therefore, I like a horse that's pleasant out of the starting gate and not a lot of stress.

The challenge of working out difficulties that others could not work out used to really motivate and inspire me. Now, I want a horse that's easy to train and enjoy after work. Different age, different interests I guess. I like the consistency of a good gelding.

There are amazing mares out there it's just a little harder to find, as there are also some fussy geldings, but overall the stereotypes seem more true than not...

Good thing there's someone for every horse, huh

[MagnoliaBar]

I would take a gelding any day of the week over a mare or a stallion. I have owned all three and can say geldings are the easiest to work with. Stallions come in second for me and Mares at the end. I have had some great Stallions that have been just like geldings but the majority are not like geldings. Geldings are the easiest horse to work with by far.

[Olive and Clove]

I love my gelding sooooo much... I also have to mares, One is very naughty and Its ruff and a little scary, But my other mare is a sweet heart, she is a lover, such a good girl... I think if they come up to you look at you, are interested in you, kiss your hand and you feel like they are attentive and aware of you, you can have a great relationship with either sex, it's all about personality...

[Nickers2002]

I have one mare, one gelding, and have worked with my trainer's stud. If I want a nice ride in the ring without too much of a fight...I ride my mare. If I want to have the battle to end all battles and finish nicely...I ride my gelding (but then again my gelding is on Mare Magic...) And if I want to end up frustrated and confused, I ride the stud. Either way I get a small fight usually. Although it does seem to be my gelding that's the worst - go figure. On the other hand, I trust my gelding with my life, the stud as far as I can throw, and my mare as long as I have a cookie, there's no wind, and nothing is around to "eat" her that day

Sara

[RMFarm]

Geldings all the way, they never have mare days when they are in heat, you never have to worry about unwanted foals, you dont have to worry about your fences as much as you would with a stallion trying to get to mares, and about 50% of all stallions can be rude, pushy or bossy.

[SJgirl]

Mares. You can never bet a mare in the ring when she's having a good day! If you get a good one they will fight, as long as you get them on your side they will fight for you and with you... only occasionally against you Saying that, some horses have talent and some horses don't, just because it's a mare doesn't mean it will win an Olympic medal.

[Morganhorse321]

Geldings are generally my favorite to work with, they don't have the testosterone that stallions do and they generally aren't witchy like mares...mares would be my second favorite then stallions. Of course that all depends on the particular horse. I've worked with a couple of stallions that I found to be just as nice if not better than some geldings.

[cowgirl8792]

I prefer Geldings. Stallions can be a very big handful and mares tend to get moody, It depends on the mare tho