Should a Beginner Rider Buy a Stallion, Gelding or Mare?
When you are looking for your first horse you might wonder should you buy a gelding a stallion or a mare?
When starting out you want to choose a horse with a reliable temperament hormones like testosterone are highly linked to aggression which is why most beginner riders are advised to steer clear of stallions. Mares and geldings are usually calmer but there are always exceptions.
Here are some things to take into account when choosing which type of horse is right for you.
Stallions
In general stallions dont make good beginner horses. Highend riding stables might put a beginner on a stallion under close supervision. Stallions can be too selfinterested and can become hazardous in the hands of someone who doesnt understand how to handle them. For most riders or owners just starting out on their own buying a stallion could be a disastrous move even if the idea of owning a stallion seems romantic. Some experienced riders and owners refuse to have a stallion because even the most wellbehaved welltrained ones can become temperamental and without proper handling dangerous.
While mares are less aggressive than stallions they can have their difficult moments as well. During their heat cycles mares can sometimes get moody or temperamental. This may be most obvious in the spring during the natural breeding season. During this time some mares are very hormonal and will have their minds on something other than their rider or handler. Mares can cycle at any time of year and the accompanying moodiness may also
