As a full-blown gelding-o-phile, when I first started to respond, the answer was reeeeally obvious. Team Gelding. All the way. But, I dare say, I think I could love a mare--the right mare--as much or more. I leased a really finnicky yet delightful mare who taught me the value of subtlety and of Not Making Idiot Decisions and the importance of a cost-benefit analysis before you rush headlong into an argument. And I swear she was reading my mind through the saddle by the end of the lease. And the bonds I've seen friends have with mares are equal parts intense and sweet, nothing like the goofy love of a gelding. That said, being the kind of rider who prefers to package and (gently, kindly) shove, and who appreciates being able to seek forgiveness via neck scratchies post-silly-decision, my heart (while open to a future mare) belongs to the big-boned, athletic goofball who doesn't even know where his tail is and would eat himself into a coma on a box of treats and then maybe also eat the plastic box. Bonus points if he's a little bit of a wuss.
I used to board my mini gelding with 20 other minis! Nearly all were mares. I have noticed that half of the mares were quiet, respectful, and if you got a little to controlling, would put you back in your place if needed. A quarter of the mares would be miss independent, and would boss the other horses around. And finally the other quarter of mares would just want to curl up in your lap and go to sleep like a kitten. My gelding is very reliable and has always caught me when i have fallen in the middle of a jumping class. Geldings are very reliable (usually) because the have a sense to to protect. I can't base everything i know about geldings by my horse, mainly because he HAS fallen asleep in my lap, he does have his stallion moments every so often (usually after baths), and wraps his head around my shoulder when i kneel down and hug his neck. So to sum up my horse, he has CONVINCED himself I am his mother. LITERALLY!
I have 5 mares all with very distinct personalities. Yes, nothing like calling them by names or my general reference of girls they all come running from 80 acre pasture just to greet me. I love their attitude let's me know they have fire in their hearts and let you know exactly what they feel and think.My mares work better then most geldings iv been around because I have that bond and trust. Team mare.
In the saddle the stars I have ridden have all been mares, serious, focused, alert and intelligent. However, on the ground I will always prefer a gelding's big heart and unforgettable love. Just like people they are all different.
I do agree with the mare-bonding. Maybe its a girl thing, but i feel more of a bond with my mare than I do my gelding. There are a few mares out there that give all mares a bad name.
I was riding a very interesting young gelding for about a year in Precision mounted drills and that horse was the most scatter brained creature I've ever met! I'm not saying all geldings are like this, but Jericho was something else! He just wanted to run, all the time, no exceptions. My mare, who soon became Jericho's replacement when she was finally trained, however, is the complete opposite. She pays special attention to adjusting her speed to accommodate our teammates, she always picks up on the lightest cues, and she knows when she needs to book it and when she needs to slow it down. Don't get me wrong, she can be a real brat sometimes, you've always got to watch her ears, but that's what's so great about her! She always let's me know what she's thinking. Everything is a conversation with her. For the focus, the passion, the fire in their eyes, the sass, and the class, I have to vote….. Team MARE!!!
I have a mare I've bonded with but she is the kind that will work all day but really would rather be eating. She isn't the easiest to catch but once you have her she is all yours... Now I have the pleasure of working with her daughter (3) who Started out as a sassy spoiled unpredictable brat... Now after lots of work is the most loving, loyal, rewarding horse I have ever had the pleasure to work with very excited to see where we go slow but steady of course... Now our geldings, loving and cuddly, always bring the heard in and my lead gelding is the father of my 3 yr old (now gelded) and will leave the heard for you if you asked him too.. He is very sensitive to everything and everything means something to him... So teaching him things he is less forgiving ..what an exciting life we all lead.
The only mare I've had the displeasure of riding was a biter who tried to dump me off on a busy highway. Thankfully, my gelding is the most darling horse I've ever met. Yes, he is a lover to everyone (we call him our pocket pony - he wants to live in your back pocket), but he looks forward to my husband and me. We always get an eager "hello!" when we go to the stable. And he certainly has his own opinions about life - sweet? yes. Reliable? Maybe not so much.