Buying A Horse?

Question

Okay, I really want to buy a horse any everything, but I need some advice from some people who have or have trained both mares, geldings, and stalions. Which is the best to get from someone who has been riding for about 2 and a half years, and is there other things I need to know about the whole male female thing? It also wouldn't hurt if you gave me some stories or imformation about them!

Answer 1

I would definitely say to stay away from a stallion. Like men, they only have their mind on one thing. :)

Mares tend to be really bitchy, but I've had mares that I absolutely love and their bitchiness actually is quite amusing. Of course, I've only had appaloosa mares, so that attitude may be breed-specific.

Geldings are my top pick. My most favorite horse was a quarter horse gelding. He was super sweet, was never moody, and was just a big love all the time.

Big tip: Find a good breed. Then, it might not even matter whether it's a mare or gelding.

Some things to consider when thinking about buying a horse... make sure you will be there to ride 7 days a week. I'm one that hates to think of horses kept in stalls all day, so I always had to board them outside in a larger paddock, sometimes with horse-friends. Make sure you're financially ready to handle board, feed, farrier bills, vet bills... and remember, sometimes things go really wrong, and you may end up with a choice of having to spend $5,000+ on surgery or put the horse down. Make sure you're prepared for whichever answer you choose.

Owning a horse can bring a lot of surprises... so just be prepared for them up front.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have never owned a stallion, but the mini one I worked with was very tempermental, and would go NUTS anytime any mare on the farm came into heat. He could also be tempermental if I had my period when went near him. There are well trained stallions, but even the best will be unpretictable because off the hormones. Stallions are more expensive to buy, to care for, and need alot more work. You need 6 foot tall fences for one thing, and alot off boarding barns will not take stallions or will charge extra. They do not make good first horses. If you fall in love with a stallion, you may be able to geld him, but he will always have some stallion behavoir left over.

My Current horse is a mare, I rarely notice behavoir changes when she's in heat, but I know mares that bounce off the wall every time. It really depnds on the mare. I have a really good bond with her. Mare can be more sensitive, and some peole ike that in the way the horses are under saddle. It also means they are a little less tolerant than geldings as a group. You can't make the same mistakes with a mare that you make with a gelding

My first horse was a gelding. The average (this is a very loose average, and there are many, many exeptions) geliding is more tolerant of rider error than a mare. If the gelding was not gelded late, you don't have to worry about hormones at all. Some people say that geldings are easier to bond with, but in the end the bond isn't as deep as you get with a mare.

Geldings are cheaper to buy than mares, because they can't pass on their DNA and don't have that second career option. So you could have two horses , same in every aspect, breeding, age, color, traing, ect, but the mare will be much more expensive. So you can buy a better quality gelding for the same price.

Since you've been riding 2 1/2 years, I would look for a gelding, but keep your mind open to mares also. At this point your just looking for a sane, safe, sound horse. If you continue to stay under instuction you should have no problems.

Answer 3

Honestly, I would wait until you've been riding and working around horses for longer then that. See if you can half-board or lease a horse from where you ride first. Owning a horse is a BIG responsibility, both in time and money. If you lease/half-board first, you're not as tied down, but still have some responsibilities...ie. paying board, riding more than once a week, vet and farrier costs, show costs (if you want to show). Also, try and work at the barn you're at so you can learn more about the day-to-day care and word involved with horses.
Get your feet wet before you jump right in.
I would definately look for a gelding first. They are much more laid-back, and don't go through the whole pms thing that mares do...yes, mares do get pms, and I've know a few who can't be ridden for a week when they are in heat because their back become so sore! Stay away from stallions....even the calmest stallion can become a lunatic if he smells a mare in heat, and only very experienced horsepeople should handle them.
I would also look for one that has some experience. It's much easier to become a better rider with an experienced horse then if you are both green and learning together. And much safer too.
It's best to start off slow and go from there....don't be in a hurry to buy a horse. Try and join a local Pony Club or 4h club as they are great places to learn more about horses and caring for them as well. Work at your stable. Help out a vet. But I would definately look at other options before buying a horse.

Answer 4

Have handled all three...and will disagree with some of what's already posted on here.

Stallions are no harder to train than mares or geldings IF you are *consistent*, use *discipline*, and balance it with praise...but you must be willing to say "this is the line DO NOT CROSS IT" and mean it. I've had some stallions that were better than any gelding I've had...I've had one in a pen of mares that the rider of a mare in heat 3' from me commented on my nice gelding. He not only was a stallion but was an 11 year old stallion who'd been used for breeding. But he had careful and consistent handling and had always been taught there was a time and a place to act up and snort and act like a stud; and a time and place to forget about it. I trained and rode another stud - an app - some years ago that equally ignored mares in heat while being ridden but also ignored the challenge of an unruly Arabian who had not been taught manners. I've also handled a quarter horse stud who would gleefully stomp you into pieces in the dirt if he could...he charged with mouth open and ears pinned flat twice...NEVER believe all quarter horses are saints as some say.

I've equally seen mares who were consistent and mares that would get really off the wall. I knew of one mare who was unbearable to mess with unless she was pregnant...at which point anyone could get on her.

Geldings can be really good but I've met some really ugly tempered geldings too.

That said - with 2-1/2 years riding and a good instructor you could probably handle the right horse of any sex. However - you need to think beyond riding. Where will you keep your horse? What is the situation there? Public stable? Your own place? Stall or pasture or turned out with others.

You will have more options and less risk to eliminate a stallion as a choice - not because they're more difficult to train (actually I find them *easier* to train!) but because from a housing standpoint you have more choices. A stallion will need stronger fencing; they are more at risk if they get loose; you have more liability if he gets out and breeds a neighbor's mare; many boarding places won't take stallions. If you need to put the horse in a pasture situation for a while it's easier with a gelding or mare. For those reasons it narrows your choices.

From there I'd say totally go by the individual. There are more things to consider than mare/gelding. If you find a horse you get along with that is consistent and happy and a joy to be with it doesn't matter if it's a mare or gelding or what anyone else's experiences are. There are plenty of good horses out there of both and plenty of pure rips of both too.

Answer 5

Go for a gelding probably older say 15-20 yrs. If you buy a older horse it will be more experienced and easier and safer for you. Mares are good to, but some (like my horse) can get crabby more often than a gelding. Look for a Quarter Horse they are even tempered and smooth gaited. They can preform well in almost any style of riding.

T has some good advice. Listen to her

Be perpaired financially for tack, board, the vet, the farrier and everything in between

Answer 6

I have only owned geldings but have shown mares that belonged to others. Studs and mares have their own issues that must be dealt with. A dear friend that owns a stud must apply Vic's nasal rub to his nostrils before showing so he won't get distracted by the mares around him. Another friend had to have a marble implanted into her mare to help regulate her cycle. When she had PMS, you couldn't do much with her in the show pen. Geldings don't have these issues and are always ready to do their job, whatever it may be.
Remember:
Stallions are from Mars
Mares are from Venus
Geldings are from Heaven!!!

Anytime you are interested in buying a horse, I would have the horse vet checked, x-rays and blood drawn/tested for drugs. However, the purchase price may not justify the expense of a vet check.

I know there will be dissenting opinions, but my comments are based on my own experiences.

Answer 7

Definately NOT a stallion!!! They have a tendancy to be extremely temperamental. Mares are also temperemental, as they come into season, but can be great, they also have a tendancy to be alot braver than geldings.
Geldings are the best though, they have even temperements, and are generally alot easier to train/school.
Having ridden all three, i definately speak from experience.
Although, having said, a well schooled stallion is an AWESOME ride, i still wouldnt advise it for a new rider.
I would suggest a "schoolmaster" type gelding, he will teach you alot, and are always easy to sell on, or rehome, should your experience outgrow the horse.

Answer 8

Stallion are from mars
Mares are from venus
geldings are from heaven.
Geldings are the best. Same excat tempermant every day not estrus cycles to make the moody or crabby.
They are wonderful and make the best riding horses in my opinion.
I know many people who have great mares but for my own riding horse it will always be a gelding.

Answer 9

many people prefer geldings becuase mares can be quite moody. i have ridden both and never had a problem w/ either but sometimes the mares are in different moods but it han't been really difficult. also when you ride a different mare for the first time she will probably test you to see what she can get away w/. just don't let her get away with anything (or she'll do it over and over again) you should be fine

Answer 10

Stallions are more tempermental than either mares or geldings. Mares are generally even-tempered except for when they are on their cycle. Geldings are almost always calm and gentle. Myself, I have a American White Horse gelding and he is the most easy-going horse I have ever seen. We trained him before we gelded him and I have rode and trained mares, stallions and geldings and I prefer geldings for almost anything I have to do. Be aware, there are always exceptions to the rule.