Do you tend to lean toward buying mares or geldings for your clients to show? That was the question GoHorseShow posed to several APHA and AQHA trainers across the country. We also asked them to elaborate from past experiences on how their preference evolved. Would you assume that geldings would be the obvious choice? Some of the answers might surprise you. Tell us your preference and vote in our poll at the bottom of the article!
Iris Petschenig–It really depends on the individual horse. I don’t believe geldings are better than mares or stallions; it depends on their attitude. I have had super great stallions for amateurs and non pros, and I had a couple really bad geldings that don’t want to work at all. In my opinion, geldings are always the same in a good or bad way. Mares and stallions–I believe can be really great once you understand them and what they need. You just have to adjust your program to the horse and not the other way around and that has always worked for me.
Chelsea Carlson–When it comes to choosing mares or geldings for my clients, I definitely look to what type of rider they are. I’ve had success with both…geldings are typically able to handle more rider error, while mares seem to take it more personally if you don’t cue exactly on point or ask with the right “tone”. But again, this just seems to be the majority and there surely is an exception to this common thought. Recently, unless I really believe the rider needs a gelding mind-wise, I’ve been encouraging and noticing that my clients have been leaning towards mares. If something happens to them, there is always the option to breed. Not to mention, I feel like there is a stronger connection and more heart from most mares. Once they trust, they’ll try their best for you… And that is one of the most important qualities you can have in a show partner!
Renee Leggett–I feel that both mares and geldings have their good and bad qualities. Geldings usually are the go-to for most people because of their reputation for being more consistent and reliable. But, when you get a good mare, they usually show better and will try their hearts out for you. I love how forgiving a gelding is for when someone is starting out while a mare will make you earn her respect. I think that mares have that mothering instinct and will try to take care of the rider while sometimes geldings get distracted by little things. I know that each horse is an individual. There are always the good and bad for each; I’ve seen mares that could fool anyone that they have been gelded, and I’ve seen some geldings be complete drama queens. So for me, the deciding factor on choosing a mare or gelding is how they get along with the rider and for what their purpose will be. At the end of the day, a mare will at least be able to be bred if something happens and they are injured and have to be retired.
Katy Jo Zuidema--I prefer gelding because they make better show horses normally. They just tend to be more even-tempered. But, it depends on how they are bred–some studs produce better mares than geldings. I have found Good Version to be like that–I preferred his daughters over his sons. However, mares tend to be easier to sell for big money if they are broke show horses because of their ovaries. Everyone likes to have a famous mare that they can show and get some babies.
Arne Kuhn–That’s easy – geldings. Although some of my best show horses were mares, I prefer geldings for my clients. Mares can be amazing. If you get them to work for you, they might give you 100% but you will always have to ask gently and some of them will never give you the response you were hoping for. Geldings usually give what they have–even if its only 70 or 80% of what they could, they give it again and again without the discussions you might have with a mare. To me, this is what makes geldings the easier horses for a non-pro rider.
Lainie DeBoer–Personally, I prefer mares to show for myself because I have a good rapport with them. Actually, I just treat them like a princess and tell them how special they are. Like any woman, they will not be told what to do–just asked politely, which I think I am good at. I think a talented mare in the show ring is nearly impossible to beat. I would only suggest a mare for a client in very special circumstances. For example, Meghan O’Malley and A Chanceof Blueskies are a match made in heaven. Meghan had spent a lot of time with her when she was young, and they developed a special one-on-one bond–like best girlfriends or soul mates. For the most part, the majority of my clients have geldings because they are simply easier to deal with and can be at times a bit more patient. It really depends on the personality of the client, but for the most part geldings seem to fit more people across the board.
Lori Gordon–I prefer mares, although I would never discount a great gelding that meets all of my clients’ needs. From a marketing standpoint, mares hold more value–if they should become injured, as a broodmare. I also think mares can be a little harder to finish, but once they get it, they have more heart. Of course, like people, they are all individuals and a great horse is a great horse, mare or gelding.
Jerry Erickson–I prefer geldings and think for the same reasons you will hear from others. For the most part, a gelding’s behavior is more consistent where many mares will change when cycling. If a mare requires being kept from cycling, then, there is an added expense plus management. Also, I am presently hauling a pair of stallions thus the logistics of keeping them and a mare separate in the trailer and at shows is sometimes difficult. The geldings can haul and stall next to the stud without issue.
Blake Carney–I have to admit, I always look for geldings when I shop for horses. There are only two mares on my farm, and one is a retired broodmare, but also a world champion. It just seems to me that mares take a lot more time before they commit to a program. I do find a good mare really can have great work ethic, but it just seems to take a while to convince them of that. If a mare fit all of the qualities I was looking for in a potential horse, it wouldn’t stop me from recommending it to a client, but they have to be special!
Adam Wainscott–I usually prefer geldings over mares. I feel like they are generally more even tempered from day to day. However, I think mares will deliver with a lot of heart when they decide to. At the end of the day, it’s hard to put the wrong sex on a good horse.
Charlie Cole–Well for years, I swore by geldings and still think they usually have longer careers than mares, but I’ve been fortunate to show great mares, and, to me, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s a good horse.
Becky George–Geldings for sure! In my experience, mares aren’t as dependable as the geldings for the all-around. I have hauled a lot of youth and amateurs around the country, and it has always been with geldings. I have just had better luck with their temperament in comparison to most mares. Plus, then you don’t have to deal with Regumate or shots or anything dealing with mares in heat.
Nancy Sue Ryan–I just get along better with mares, and I love putting records on them and making them broodmares.
Kim Reynolds–We prefer geldings because typically they are dull and lazy. If your rider makes a mistake, they are not as quick to react and they are (for the most part) very forgiving. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few truly great mares but they are few and far between.
James Saubolle–I actually don’t have a preference. I’ve had great mares through the years including–Miss April Sensation, Shez Eye Candy, Mystical Machine, Red Hot Imprint, Sensational Luxury and Laced up Sensation. Mares are tough at times but are good when it matters.
Terri Dyson-Wirthlin–I’m a gelding person. Most gelding that have come through my barn have been very honest horses. It is easier to train new riders if you have an honest horse. Also, a barn full of geldings means less drama! The girls (mares) are all about the drama. (laughs)
Lisa Ligon–I have had success with mares, stallions and geldings. A good horse is a good horse. However, I prefer to have geldings in the show barn. They have a tendency to be more laid back, forgiving and open minded. Many amateurs and owners like mares because they feel they can have the back up plan of breeding if their horses are injured or are ready for retirement. To me, mares are more sensitive, higher strung and smarter…..that can be good and bad. Stallions are just a lot of work, and, while I do not mind having one to show myself, I do not let my customers ride or show them.
