Competitive driving horse.....mare or gelding?

[Little Wolf Ranch]

For those of you who show, would you prefer to have a gelding or a mare? I'm looking at pros and cons of each and would really love to hear your opinions and reasons as to why.

I've been debating back and forth about gelding my senior stallion this fall and could send him off to be trained to be my driving horse for shows or one of my mares (or after I get more information about when and where we will be stationed this fall, just purchasing one as I'm sure it'd be cheaper) but I would like to know which one would be better as I'm a beginner and would like a steady show partner.

Coming from the big horse world I'm already leaning towards a gelding but am I leaning the wrong way? I also have to take into factor that depending on where I am depends on which registry I could show under and all of mine except for my junior stallion are all amhr only....

 

[Sandee]

I'd base my decision on which one travels better. I have a wonderful mare that is full of energy that will do ANYthing that I ask of her BUT she does not have a "showy" trot. Now my old gelding, when first turned out will race and buck and pick up his knees. If it weren't for his age (he doesn't have the stamina for long classes), he would be my best driver because he's showy and lifts his knees. Also it depends on what sort of classes you want to show in (which level of driving - - pleasure, country, or western--- if you're thinking AMHR). Each one is described in the rulebook and each one takes a different sort of horse.

 

[Magic]

I'd say it depends on each individual horse. I have a mare that was named AMHR Performance Horse of the Year, and she was pregnant at the time, beating out stallions and geldings alike, and it was only me, an amateur, showing her. But my mare gave her ALL to everything she did. I had another mare that I drove who was very talented, I trained her after buying her as an older broodmare, and judges raved about her, but she didn't really always enjoy showing and could be quite the pain sometimes. Generally geldings are going to be the best choice, because you don't have to deal with the hormones, but a "good fit" with your horse is more important, IMO, than the sex of the horse. I love it when people are able to come here in person to see and handle the horses they are buying, because then we can tell if they will "take" to each other. In place of that, for long-distance buyers I find out what they want from a horse and describe a horse's personality, etc, so that they know what to expect.

I have an outgoing B gelding that loves attention who loves to show, he lights right up when we show him. He does well in a wide range of classes, because he thinks it's fun. If you choose one of your own horses to have trained, I suggest that you choose one like that, to have a better chance at getting a competitive horse. Lots of things to think about.

 

[disneyhorse]

Depends on the individual.

 

[Jetiki]

It really depends on the horse as to which to choose. Some geldings are awesome, some mares are awesome. It also depends on what you want to do with them, just breed shows or venture out into the ADS types of competition. There's one near Rutherfordton, NC Next weekend with the Carolina carriage club.

Hope he gets stationed stateside and not overseas or to a boat.

karen

 

[Farina]

I drive CDE's mostly and I have successfull shown with stallions, geldings and mares. There are always individuals that don't enjoy showing or just lazy. There are some moody studs during breeding season, there are some moody mares in heat.Some geldings are too lazy and see no point in competiton.

You have to choose the individual what would be suited best.

 

[Little Wolf Ranch]

So if I'm not exactly sure how either would do that I currently own for longterm showing and knowing that I would want to be seriously competitive, would it be best just to buy a proven mare or gelding with a show record or take a chance with one I own?

If I took both horses to a trainer to be evaluated would he or she be able to give me more insight into how the horses would perform in the ring longterm

 

[Sandee]

...........................................

If I took both horses to a trainer to be evaluated would he or she be able to give me more insight into how the horses would perform in the ring longterm

That would be a good way to start. Now I have to add that most trainers will only want the "best" horses if they are going to show them. It's their job & income that is affected if they show horses that DON'T win! So the trainer may be willing to train your horse(s) but not want to show them him/herself. On the other hand a knowledgeable trainer can pick out a "show" horse for you to buy and they can sometimes get deals on a horse because the seller knows that his name will get noticed in the winner circle.

No, I'm not a trainer but I have, what I consider, a good one and I'm convinced if you can afford one, it's the way to go.

 

[Jetiki]

Having both evaluated would be the best place to start.