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Post by rosemaryhannah on Dec 19, 2012 20:55:58 GMT 1
Individual geldings have the personality to rise as it were above their natural disability - I have three here. However, in general, always a mare.
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Post by shan on Dec 19, 2012 21:24:53 GMT 1
I was always a gelding fan. My first horse, a gelding, was brilliant! He'd had virtually nothing done with him when I took him on aged 2/3, but his personality was cheeky, solid and playful, I loved him to bits & we learned alot together. My girl now...well when I took her on loan almost 2 years ago, she was feisty, disrespectful and had a look about her that sort of said "who the hell are you to be dealing with me?" once or twice she threw both back feet my way just for asking her to have a headcollar on; alot of times I thought she hated me & we'd never bond, but I fell for her and as I started to understand her & persevered, she soon got to like me I bought her as I knew I couldn't just be a 'stand-in mum'. She is still fesity, stubborn, has mental days and tests me out just to make sure I'm still up to the job, but she respects me (mostly!) and still always lets me know when she's not happy about something, but in a controlled way. I adore her, I adored my gelding - when I get another I won't really mind what sex they are, though it'd be 60/40 toward a boy.
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Post by lizpurlo on Dec 19, 2012 21:30:48 GMT 1
I only ever have geldings, as I always buy weanling or yearling colts and have them cut - I love buying from sales and the colts are at the greatest risk of going for meat, so there is an element of rescuing there - plus I can never ever breed anything, which is a huge plus!
Having said that, three of the most memorable horses in my life were mares - not mine, but borrowed.
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companymagic
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Horses are for life not just for riding....
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Post by companymagic on Dec 19, 2012 21:58:36 GMT 1
Today I would swap both for a Rocking horse ;D
I can honestly say I would have either and I do think it's move the breed, education, age etc than the sex.
I have a little gelding but he was cut late and he has tons of sparkle, presence and attitude. My mare is lovely and cuddly and sweet, most of the time. I have to say mainly only to me though.. I do fine my mare more loyal than my gelding... But I don't think I would ever choose a horse on it's sex alone, both have lot's to offer I think you just need to find the right horse for you.
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Azrael
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Post by Azrael on Dec 19, 2012 22:18:08 GMT 1
I don't deliberately go for mares but the horses I seem to get on best with have all been mares with a bit of character, I seem to especially have a thing for tempremental grey mares or have also really liked some welsh and CB mares.
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Post by Anne_Oxfordshire on Dec 20, 2012 10:16:32 GMT 1
I'm definitely a mare person too. I can't quite put into words why that is, but it's along the lines of what everyone else has said about geldings being a bit too steady and almost verging on dim, and not having that character and sparkle that mares do, and also feeling like I can't bond with a gelding. It's interesting because other people have said they find mares more stubborn if they don't want to do something, whereas I have found the reverse to be true. I have always been able to pursuade my mares to do anything for me, but geldings I find will just point blank refuse and there's nothing you can do about it. What's also interesting is that I would choose a bitch every time over a dog too. Do other peoples preferences extend to other animals such as dogs too?
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Post by BJMM on Dec 20, 2012 10:47:14 GMT 1
I have had geldings since I was a small child (long long ago ;D ) Blaze was the first mare I ever had, now I have three girlies and I'm definitely converted. Jasmine has challenging behaviour issues but Blaze and Marygold are both treasures. I like a feisty mare!
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bicky
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If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got!
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Post by bicky on Dec 20, 2012 11:16:10 GMT 1
I have one of each. My mare is loyal, brave, clever and we just click. I know her very well and although she's not always easy I love her. My gelding (2 yr old) is well.....how can I put it.....erm.....slow! ;D Bless him I think he's on dial up and not broadband! Things take a while to register! ;D
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Post by dalesfan on Dec 20, 2012 11:19:38 GMT 1
Until Norman came to me, I'd always had mares and felt that I connected with them more. Norm was such a lovely boy that he's opened my mind to having a gelding in the future, so I can't say that I have a preference really.
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Post by Dragonmaster on Dec 20, 2012 11:24:22 GMT 1
I have 2 of each, but before I owned my own many of the horses I rode were mares, so I developed a preference for mares. I agree with all of the above comments. Mares do not 'need' you and but you can develop a mutual bond. Mares are more independent minded. Mares (i think ) are cleverer.
I have a theory, and it applies to dogs too, as I've had a male & a bitch together when I has 2 dogs. Bitch was speyed. Female animals are hard-wired to protect their young so are more aware of their surroundings, assess more, need the human less, and will behave as they see fit. Males, especially neutered ones, never loose their juvenile dependence on their mother figure. (could say that about men, too )
Be interested to read what male riders thing to this question. Maybe we females bond better with female animals because deep down we have the same feelings.
By the way, a few days ago was the Festival of Epona, the great Celtic goddess of protection that was represented by the lead mare of the herd. Those Celts knew what was what.
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arki
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Post by arki on Dec 20, 2012 11:25:51 GMT 1
I think it depends on you as a person - I am very emotional for want of a better word - geldings seem to cope with me better than mares. I have never had a mare I bonded with and so I have a field of colts (due to be gelded in January) and a field of geldings. I also agree that the colts tend to have a worse fate - this is why I went for colts with the dartmoor hill ponies I got this year.
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megnum
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Post by megnum on Dec 20, 2012 11:54:32 GMT 1
I don't really have a preference, my geldings are very cheeky and loving and protective like little boys but my mares are possibly kinder? if that's the right way to describe it. I also love stallions as I think they have a real charm about them (often) some are just pains in the bum. But yes I think each horse is different...
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Post by lazhorses on Dec 20, 2012 15:34:34 GMT 1
In general I prefer geldings as they seem to be less moody than mares but on saying that I have just bought an ex polo pony mare and she is turning out to be a sweety since she has been on magnesium. (She was grumpy, moody and a nervous wreck before she was on it so it seems to have made her a bit more level headed )
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Post by highlanderpony2002 on Dec 20, 2012 16:35:21 GMT 1
I love mares I really dont like geldings much as I dont seem to connect with them mind you the only gelding I have now is the naughtiest and horridest poony on earth but I love him no one else would put up with him but I do love him to bits. Trouble is what to do with him if I ever cant keep him
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Post by clara81 on Dec 20, 2012 16:47:07 GMT 1
Mares!! Every time. I've tried my best to get on with my geldings but I've always ended up selling them, they do my head in. Geldings always seem too quick to start barging and using their weight rather than their brain if they don't "get" something. Or that could just be mine lol! I like stallions but it's too much hassle keeping them.
I always go for bitches over dogs too. I do like my nephew though! ;D
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