Mares vs Geldings - Which is Best?

observations of many years and thousands of horses....mares are as good as geldings....be a Horseman! Visit my website at windyhillfarm.net/ Visit Handyhorseman.com for many horsemanship more videos good old fashion Horsemanship gentle horses and ponies for sale at windyhillfarm.net contact us for online Horsemanship consultations [e-mail]

[@equiryder]

There is something that needs to be said about mares. Unlike a gelding, they are intact, and I find that gives them a natural 6th sense about whatever you're doing. They can become more aware and in tune with you, they are smart, yes can be sensitive and moody at times, but a good mare will protect you and really take care of you out there, kinda like reading your mind and surroundings. I remember reading a quote long ago from a cowboy that went sorta like this... I'll take a good mare over a well trained gelding any day, a good mare will lay down her life for ya. As Ted says good horses come in all sizes and can be mares or geldings. A good horse is a good horse period!

[@cheesethekoala8756]

"Peety, well he's a gelding. He was born this way, and well he can't help it. And that's ok..." My heart just melted!! I've never seen a horse owner so accepting of their horse's deformities and stuff, what a bean!!!

[@miroslavzima8856]

Those are quite often. Before I had my own horse, I visited a stable. During 15 years they had two horses with deformities. But shoutout to the owner, he kept them permanently.

[@bradmetcalf7832]

That was a silly statement in the video. There is no such thing a a gelding being born, gelding is a castrating process. If it was born with un descended testicles they are Anorchid.

[@alysonemery5287]

"He's a gelding. He was born that way, he can't help it." Lol, I don't think that's how it works ;)

[@cheesethekoala8756]

Actually, just like in humans, horses can be born infertile for any reason. Maybe this gelding was born with no testicles, you wouldn't know that

[@The-Three-of-Us-and-Gus]

Hahaha! Right! I was like... ummm my horse was born a stallion 😂 still is...

[@paigedemarco7149]

Thank you! I ride a mare and we get along really well. Sometimes she has moody days, but in the end we take care of eachother through the rough spots.

[@sophiatucker04]

I ride a mare and she is calm, yet fast and she’s amazing.

[@jonimusser8369]

I love your videos!!! I own three mares and no geldings. When I first learned to handle horses it was with geldings. In my experience, it has been mares that have taught ME the most about horsemanship and understanding horse natural behavior. I have become a better owner/rider because of the mares that paved my path.

[@jeanclayton7242]

I'm partial to gelding's cause that was my first and only horse. I've been around mares used to ride one alot she was very sweet I love all horse's but my gelding acts terrible sometimes,when I first got him lord he was plain aweful,and after 3 years he still gets in his moods he don't want me asking him to do any work all and all I wouldn't take anything for him I adore him.

[@brittanyritenour4695]

I like Mares the most. I like mares alot and I do not understand why alot of people geldings are always the best. Mares can do just as many if not the samethings geldings can do even sometimes better. I would rather have a grabby horse then a pushy bossy horse. A horse that cares about how you treat them and pay attention to you. I rode a mare who was hot but as long as you tried for her she was forgiving and always tried her best. I love their sensitivity. They are more responsive and are attached to certain types of people more then others. I like their complexity of feelings and emotions. I love trying to understand them and relating to that fact that women are not all that much different. Not all mares are the same. Some mares hardly ever get moody or cranky and act more like geldings then the typical mare. One horse I know is a Saddlebred mare Annie. She is always the same almost always, shes so forgiving and acts more like a gelding then a mare sometimes but she still has that carrying nature. She makes me think a bit of myself, because I hardly ever get crabby even during the time of the month equalivant to being in season. I am least like stereotype girls on that. Mares are wonderful and they are sweet/ kind try to understand you. From a quarter horse, to a mustang, to an arabian, to a thoroughbred, to a thoroughbred cross, to a saddlebred, and so on all mares have grown my fasicination. Only a few geldings i like most.

[@HandyHorsemanOhio]

Thank you for your detailed comment. We always appreciate those who are willing to share their horsemanship experiences with us. Thanks for watching!

[@Vanessanavarrovet]

Thank you for sharing all this !!!!

[@giddyup9852]

Right on! I love your logical sense Ted!

[@1312Madrid]

My filly will outsmart all three of my geldings, she can be difficult because she is so smart and sensitive but she will always try her best. Mares are definitely my favourite :) Btw the moodiest of my horses is one of the geldings, he is such a drama queen!

[@HandyHorsemanOhio]

+1312Sierra Thanks for watching!

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

Mares also can become mama bears when it comes to their people.

[@lindaelisio7312]

Really enjoy your videos

[@yvonneanderson7691]

I have two mares! They are both very different from each other......one is super sweet and very easy to get along with and.....the other is much more challenging. However, BOTH are incredibly talented and successful. The struggles I have with the second mare are mostly a result of me and my management of her....the first is just that much more forgiving. Thank you for the videos! I am truly enjoying them!

[@augustrefuge]

This is a very helpful video and I appreciate your genuine thoughts on this topic! Especially since I am looking to purchase my first horse right now, and so many people have told me "not to get a mare because they get moody and run around with their tales up." The gelding I use to ride was moody. I loved him dearly, but I never knew what kind of mood he was going to be in day to day. That was ok, I worked with it. I think it is just like people, very individual. Moods and hormones are just a fact of life, and we should appreciate and respect animals regardless. It is confirming and nice to hear from an experienced, honest horsemen. Thank you.

[@sarahwales6276]

Another great video thank you!

[@d.williams6325]

Just Found Your Site, Sir.....Like Your Down-To-Earth Style.

[@cherylalbright2086]

Everything you said, is absolutely true. I couldn't agree more!

[@MsGroovalicious]

I sure do like your style. From what I have learned in the short 3 years that I've been into horses is that you really know your business and you care about horses. I'm so grateful to have this channel to go to further my education. Do you have an apprenticeship program or a training program that you offer at your place?

[@TheRayMaynard]

Both of my horses I ride are mares and I prefer them to geldings. Once you have a mare's trust she will give you everything she has. I think they have more heart.

[@Potato-mu7nu]

They definitely have more hormones, geldings become dull without their balls.

[@odin1420]

Thanks for this common-sense explanation. A little bit of understanding goes a long way, understanding why an animal may behave in a certain way, there is always a reason. We see the same thing with dogs we rescue, and socialize.

[@keithtaylor6069]

Good stuff, I ride a mare and she is awesome.

[@ac12201]

I love Mares, I have one now and she is just awesome!!!!

[@isabellastubbs7176]

I prefer geldings just because that is all I have ever had but I would love to try getting a mare for my next horse. But I don't really have a favorite.

[@leealexander3507]

I prefer my stallion. He's very kind and cooperative. I ride him tackless most of the time and is well behaved around other horses.

[@countrygirlstrongheart]

I've enjoyed both and also had issues with both. Had a gelding that would stop to eat grass just because he wanted to stop, and had mare that was moody from time to time. Both good most of the time though.

[@robynsmith6909]

I don't have a preference for a mare or gelding, but I've always worked best with mares because we respect each other's space.

[@misssmarteepants3465]

In my personal experience/opinion I prefer mares. They just seem to be braver than the geldings. Maybe it's hormones or lack of that causes this, but it's just been my experience. On a practical note, should a gelding get injured and not be rideable, well, now you've got a pasture puff. Whereas with a mare, she can still be a broodmare. I know it's probably not a popular opinion, but it's mine. And I do like geldings! I've ridden some outstanding geldings. I just get along better with mares. Great video.

[@HandyHorsemanOhio]

Good insight. I appreciate you sharing with us and thank you for watching!

[@adrianmaynard_4699]

i have a mare and a gelding and they have almost the same personality! Twist (my gelding) is fired up ready to go boy who loves to cuddle. Raya (mare) is super cuddly and friendly but has a bit of an attitude. I love them both equally and dont understand people who say "no mares" and things like that.

[@nicktravelstead515]

What I understood from this video was It doesn’t matter what they are. A horse is a horse. They’re a little different but they think the same, they learn the same and some can turn out better than others. Don’t seek potential from its gender.

[@gabriels4151]

I just personally don't bond with mares which is why I have geldings

[@lukehague8595]

I ride a calm, sassy mare

[@OceanbornAngel]

Seriously, I don't think it matters what the gender of your horse is, gelding or mare. It comes right down to the horse's personality. You'll get some Geldings that act like mares in that they are sweet and gentle or you could get an alpha mare who's aggressive. I recommend both genders, especially if you have great chemistry with whatever horse you choose.

[@darinbarfield8738]

Considering the subject mare vs gelding as I’m looking for a new barrel prospect for my daughter. She had geldings & good results, One of my best trail horses I’ve had was a mare and she was fast & fun to ride, but she was hot & difficult at times & some bad habits that I could not train out of her, just had to work around her quirkiness. But if you wanted to move thru the crowd fast , she would do it & would give 110%. We have looked at some potential Mares for daughter in the past and they were too hot & didn’t have an off switch. Whereas the last gelding we bought her would be on when he’s in the arena & ready to run, But can relax & chill, and take a short nap, once we get him out and back to the trailer. If we could find a mare that wasn’t as hot outside of the arena that would be good. I also have another Mare gaited- Missouri Fox Trotter, She’s not quite as hot as my previous Tennessee Walker but even she gets hot on a trail ride and can act catty.... Just a noticeable difference in the mares & geldings we’ve had. But again one of my favorites of many years was my mare, She passed at age 34 years old, about 3-4 years ago.😢😭😢

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

Not having an off switch seems like a training issue. I have a 26 year old mare that is easily the hottest and the fastest (Regarding every pace not just canter/gallop) of the current horses at our barn. She has a fantastic off switch and is happy to walk around bareback or let a 4 year old do walk trot on her. Not to say mares can't be quirky sure they can but I've rarely found mine to be wrong when she let's me have it

[@davawyatt2234]

Very true! All horses, like people, are unique individuals and have their own personalities. They'll have quirks as well as perks. Yes gender and breed play a part in how the horse behaves and what their best qualities are likely to be, but a good horseman should always try to keep an open mind. We've owned two geldings and they've been very affectionate and curious, acting rather like large colts. Our previous gelding liked to play tricks on his previous owner by stealing the hat off his head and flaunting it while our current gelding likes to "smile" for pictures. He's got a super flexible neck but that also works against us, because sometimes we can turn his neck completely sideways while he's still going forward and he may refuse to turn, but surely these problems just require better training--he's still very young. My mom's mare is an Arabian-Mustang and way too smart for her own good. She checks all the pasture gates daily seeking escape, is real obedient--albeit a trickster looking to get her way--under saddle and eagerly obeys your cues, but she's a hellion rebel on the ground to horses and people alike when you're not riding, gives as good as she gets attitude-wise. She gives it her all during our rides and tries so hard that when my Mom asks for a stop, the mare often backs up in addition when she's not supposed to. She doesn't like little kids and hates strange dogs--threatens the dogs right back. My mare is a Quarter Horse and I try not to be too prejudiced. I can honestly say although she's a rather slow walker, once she's got "trot" and "canter" in her mind, she stops just as quickly as she starts. If we ride the familiar routes, she gets habitual and pushes to get her own way, but she's a reliable and trustworthy angel on unfamiliar trails. One of my favorite things to do with her is trick training--we're currently working on bowing with one leg held forward. I need to find new places to ride so she won't anticipate our route and misbehave. She likes little kids and if she's being bad with me, whether in saddle or on ground, I put a young kid or novice rider in the saddle and lead her--suddenly she's attentive and she'll go literally one step at a time if I ask her to. She's never kicked or bitten anyone but she has bucked on several past occasions and used to rear when we first got her many years ago (training and riding experience has long since fixed that). She sometimes pretends to feint a one-legged kick when in season or when picking out back hooves, but firm no-nonsense handling solves that problem.

[@qessyhildreth2851]

Common sense. I personally have a gelding. He's the sweetest 2 1/2 year old

[@superballs4251]

Honestly, it just matters on what you like more.

[@serenity9926]

yes i just prefer stallions and geldings better but i have nothing against mares i just like stallions and geldings better lol

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

My mare is a mama bear when it comes to protecting people. She stops if a tiny child's foot slides out of the stirrup. If your confidence is low she will be the confident one if she feels it's decent she will allow herself to have her own emotions. Also she let me have a panic attack on her back and all she did was sit and wait. Don't get me wrong. She's sassy and doesn't put up with bad riding or mistreatment but she taught me to have good hands and a good seat. She taught me to have patience and honestly looking at old videos....She was right I can't blame her. But her worst was always one big double barrel buck. Not too bad. Socially she doesn't cause problems with anyone. She'll kick out at a gelding or anyone invading her space but that's fair I would too lol. But she's not gonna cause a problem. She can be trailered in any position and being small she often got the front slot on a slant because it's smaller. She can be turned out with basically anyone because they'll sort the personal space issue. She knows how to pull punches. After all these mares are naturally made to teach manners to foals they can teach their pasture mates too. I don't have a problem with geldings but mares USUALLY suit me better because they take things less personally. I've had this mare for going on 18 years now. Oh and she's the dreaded Arabian mare too.

[@ilovejesusreignsforever585]

I've only ever owned mares 4 of them.

[@desertrose2085]

If you lead a gelding right behind another gelding, and pushed him over, that gelding might kick, too, thinking that gelding was being rude.

[@lesliepark3370]

I love mares. Geldings can be naughty on purpose. Most mares are a reflection of their owners, calm consistent owner, more than likely a calm consistent mare.

[@cathypascale8187]

I've always had geldings and eight years ago I bought a mare. They are VERY different !!! She is super aware of her surroundings, always looking at me to see what is going on, while the gelding goes on eating. What is wonderful is appreciating the differences. Geldings are all about the work but super friendly and fun too. The answer to every horse question is; "It all depends..." (from Rick Gore)

[@loredelore7286]

At last some sense spoken on this subject.

[@marymartin8763]

I had a mare when I was 9 and I’m 19 now and my life goal since I was 10 was to get her back now I did, I just learned that mares have a bad reputation and don’t understand why, my mare has absolutely never done me wrong, I’ve ridden probably hundreds of horses and her personality is just amazing. I don’t even care about riding her I just love to be around her. Mares are women, simply treat them well and they’ll treat you well. If your mare doesn’t like you, you’re probably the problem.

[@user-en7rr2jt1n]

I prefer geldings. They are more dismissive but mares are sassy. Stallions are dumb, so that means geldings are dumb lol. Dumb things are usually sweeter and aim to please you more

[@serenity9926]

i respect ur opinion and i agree ✌️

[@saspinks3001]

You speak collectively in general terms as if you know every horse out there. About the only thing that is absolutely true about every single horse is that they are prey animals.

[@user-en7rr2jt1n]

@@saspinks3001 yes I agree my comment is a joke! It’s stereotypes but more often than not it’s true! I’ve met sassy geldings many and even have a mare that’s the sweeetest horse I’ve ever met

[@saspinks3001]

@@user-en7rr2jt1n Ahhhh, glad you were being sarcastic - makes way more sense! I currently have two geldings whom I love dearly but I sure do miss my mare and I look forward to the next one that becomes part of my life!

[@alaskaismyhome39]

In my opinion, and generally speaking, geldings do best with women, mares do best with men. And yes, some women love their mares, and some men love their geldings, but typically, a rider does well with a horse of the opposite gender. That's just my 2 cents.

[@patriciacampbell32]

Mares from my experience is Marish can be tempremental and coz problems the one my family had two one was 12 yr old when bought who knows wat kinda treatment she'd taken them we got two geldings one was hell to break but both where 3 Ur old both I broken them one who gave the bother had a was blind vet said from some kinda trauma so next time you ask whys this animal playing up unless you've had it from foal maybe ask yourself this do I have a problem horse or do I have a horse with problems with problems from past treatment start with desensitising the animal and remember there are fight or flight prey animals very aware that they are a prey animal put them into a stable and you take the flight out off the equation so in there head only chance they have in their minds is to fight try understand where ther at I'd personally prefer geldings on that was blind he turned out like a we pet lamb followed me around like a dog

[@bradmetcalf7832]

I have to tell ya, you come off as a little pompous in your statement at 5:58. So if I just don't want to deal with mares coming in heat or just being nasty on occasion and have no interest in raising foals why would I need to subject myself to the headache? I am very aware that there are some very fine mares out there but I choose to own geldings or even a stud9(at least he is a stud everyday) , does that make me a poor horseman? Also there is no way a horse is born a "gelding" the get made that way!

[@felixvelasquez3447]

As an English Rider Myself My Horse Gender Preferenace Forever in My Are Mares Because I am More Confortable with Them and More Safe with Them and I Prefer Female Horses Forever in my Life and That's Normal When Mares Bite and Kick People when Their in The Heat and Just Because I prefer Mares That Does Not Mean You Have The Right to Change To Chabge the Gender of My Horse or to All Children and Adults Gosh People do Not want to respect Your Preferenaces Gosh I Hate That and it makes me Mad that No it's The same with Humans and You Know what it is the Same with Humans when Mares are in the heat and bite and kick people and it is the same with Humans.

[@kay7483]

Amen , but they are like us women and they have the same raging hormones. There are some great kind gentle mares but in 50 years I have bread trained an broke them and I do think a gelding is the best. I also own a Stallion I could take anywhere an I mean anywhere they were not allowed He never acted Studley because I raised all of mine to learn my voice And the words an they all were great my stud has been in many parades and no caught his calories because of how I decorated him for the parades. I thank God for horses and I thank him for making me a horsewoman that could breed , deliver, train and ride they all And I mean all my babies grew to be winners in any discipline 🎉🎉❤❤❤ I WAS TAUGHT BY MY GRAD DAD AND SLOW AN KINDNESS AN THEM LEARNING YOUR WORDS ARE ONE GREAT WAY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A VERY SAFE WELK TRAINED HORSE. GELDINGS OR MSRES . BUT I TOO PREFER A GOOD GELDING.

[@rodwhitmire8182]

Going to jail with thoughts like that I get a price break on Mares

[@steliannistor1878]

for a ignorant person maybe a gelding is good..for a real rancher a mare will produce filly's and therfore profite...again u even have it in you're blood or...u get a gelding 😁

[@silverkitty2503]

the throat latch on that rope halter is too tight actually i think the whole rope halter is a lil too small for him

[@Potato-mu7nu]

Geldings are better.

[@philweissburg2194]

Geldings have their balls removed and it moderates their behavior.......Mares are mares and nothing can be done about their behavior.....when they go into "season" watch out.....they are good for breeding..........Not for riding..

[@BK-is5fj]

That’s quite sexist