Posted 2010-01-07 7:16 AM (#114978 - in reply to #112429) Subject: RE: Mare or Gelding... and why?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
I always thought mares had more heart; until I owned the gelding I have now. He truly takes care of me and my kids on the trail. He isn't perfect, but perfect for what I do. I have always preferred geldings for my kids to ride. They seem to be more forgiving and don't seem to be as testy when asked to do a task. We purchased a mare about 9 months ago with the intentions of eventually breeding her. My daughter wanted to try her with her 4-H drill team. It has been an extreme challenge for her to earn that mare's respect. They are now working as a team better, but it took months and lots of work on her part. Mares tend to make you earn respect. Geldings seem more forgiving and easier going. Mare or gelding; it depends on the horse. I still prefer geldings and with traveling a lot the geldings do seem easier to deal with.
Posted 2010-02-21 12:25 AM (#116841 - in reply to #112429) Subject: RE: Mare or Gelding... and why?
Member
Posts: 17
Location: KY
I have three TWH mares....all very docile. In fact, my 10 year old daughter is using my older one for 4-H drill team this year and the mare is 4. Used her for regular 4-H showmanship and horsemanship last year as a 3 year old and qualified for state. I'd say it depends on the mare. I'm just not a gelding person, as I like a horse to serve more than one purpose, potential broodmare and riding horse.
Posted 2010-02-21 8:33 AM (#116844 - in reply to #112429) Subject: RE: Mare or Gelding... and why?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
And I'm somewhere between the two of you. Have had both, first two mares I owned made me swear I'd never have another. Rode "the guys" for many, many years. Have two mares now that are both sweethearts. So...yes, it depends on the horse.
Posted 2010-08-20 11:50 AM (#123851 - in reply to #114978) Subject: RE: Mare or Gelding... and why?
Member
Posts: 5
I've got 4 mares. 2 TWH, 2 Paso Fino's. All of them are high strung, especially when in heat. My paso's are so Hot they are very hard to ride when in heat. They can't focus, and their extremely high strung. I would advise a Gelding, especially if it is for your daughter. You can never go wrong with a gelding. If you want to breed the mare, then it will take a long time to develop trust between rider and horse. It took me well over a year to gain my Paso mare's trust. I'm the only one who can ride her. I also struggled with mare of gelding but choose a mare because I wanted to breed my TWH mare to our TWH stallion. She had 2 beautiful babies.
Posted 2010-10-16 2:33 PM (#125843 - in reply to #112429) Subject: RE: Mare or Gelding... and why?
Member
Posts: 30
I like to ride the herd leader. My last two favorites were a mare and the other was a gelding. Both very much alpha animals and both (after a few years) took care of me on the trail and on the ground, like I was there own. (Much appreciated. ) I feel safer on a dominant horse of either gender because I think they are the best problem solvers and take their herd duties very seriously.
Posted 2010-10-17 6:52 PM (#125897 - in reply to #125843) Subject: RE: Mare or Gelding... and why?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
I agree, JR... the herd leader can be depended on in unusual circumstances... Now. I must brag on our two five year old foxtrotter mares... this past week, we rode them all over Buffalo National River trails. We found new challenges on trails we hadn't ridden over the past fifteen years. Both mares had huge hearts, and level heads. *and this is comin from two ole quarter horse people. We love both breeds for different purposes. Ride what your'e comfort level is with...
Posted 2010-10-17 7:23 PM (#125902 - in reply to #112429) Subject: RE: Mare or Gelding... and why?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
I am partial to mares because I am female.....But to say one is better than the other....I have owned both...A good horse is a good horse, period. Time of training, type of training, and yes demeanor plays a part. But in general, a good horse is a good horse.
Mare or Gelding... and why?
