Geldings

[Filipowicz Farm]

What do you think of people trying to tell others not to buy geldings because they can not produce a foal. They Think that they are not worth much and try and discourage others not to buy them. I beleive a gelding is worth its weight in gold especially for young kids that are just stating to show. I think when you see a farm with a great gelding that there other horses are even better. I also beleive that not all colts should be stallions. That your stallion should be the best conformation , temperment etc. What are you thoughts on people trying to discourage people from buying geldings.

 

[maestoso]

There is about 50 million threads on this topic, they always seem to get a little heated..... I have several opinions to the different parts of your topic.

First of all, I would never suggest any horse to anyone until I knew what their goals were, what they wanted. If they wanted something to show and they NEVER had any interest in breeding, than I would say look at EVERYTHING, including mares, geldings, and well-behaved stallions(stallions can be gelded).

If they weren't sure, and they thought they might want to breed someday, than I WOULD discourage them fro buying a gelding, because no matter how hard you might want or try, a gelding can not breed. And there are plenty of well-behaved and kid or adult safe mares out there. If they decide never to breed, than that's fine, they still have a nice mare.

I would discourage any newbie from looking at stallions unless their initial plan would be to geld him OR they had easy access to a trainer and/or somebody very experienced.

As far as what I think should be gelded, I try not to get into that battle. Some say the best you can afford, well some people can only afford 500 and that usually doesnt get you anything very good. Some just say "The Best" well there are several thousand stallions being used out there, and they aren't all the best. It comes down to looking at the stallion and deciding if they are a good representative of the breed. Not every horse can be the best and not everyone can afford a 6 or 8 or 10 thousand dollar animal. But is the horse a good representative of the breed? And is the horse healthy an sound? If you can answer yes to those questions than I think your fine. It doesn't have to be a national top ten to be a good rep of the breed.

As far as value, here's where I am going to get flamed, in general I DO think geldings are less valuable then mares or stallions. Just start by looking at gelding prices on websites, they are ALMOST ALWAYS (notice the almost) cheaper than their similar quality barn mates who are mares and stallions. That should tell you right there! Many Many farms will give you a DISCOUNT with a gelding contract. So as far as $$$ value, just look at the info that is out there, they are not as valuable.

Emotionally and practically, for a beginner child, geldings are worth ten times more than any stallion and many mares, but $$$$ value in the market, they are not. Beyond that, let's say a child grows out of their horsey stage by the time they are 13 or 14. Now you have a gelding in it's older teens, the re-sale value is going to be VERY small. They are beyond their show prime by that time, and people are going to think twice before buying them. But a 16 year old mare could still have several more babies, and a 16 year old stallion could still have several more breeding seasons.

Again let me reiterate this, I am not talking about what is practical or emotional value, but $$$ value, YES, I think geldings have less $$$ value than mares and stallions of similar quality.

I bought my stallion as a weanling, he is now almost 2(this spring). He gets handled daily, plenty of attention, and plenty of discipline to go with it, and he is still a butt head. He is well bred and a very nice put together horse. If he was my only option for having a stud, he would be staying a stud, and I would deal with his nuttyness. However, I may have another option soon, and I may decide to geld mine. For show purposes, it makes more sense to have a gelding and a stallion, rather than 2 stallions. But it also has to do with the fact that I know my boy is with me for life. If he was a re-sale project, I probably would even consider gelding him.

 

[Celtic Hill Farm]

I think it depends on what you want to do. I personally won't buy myself a Castrated Jack, because i wan't something that can reproduce to create my miniature donkey line. Geldings i generall make great horses weather there big or small. I would immagine geldings would make great driving horses. along with show horses for young kids, and people who just want to show and have fun.

 

[txminipinto]

Personally, I think there are way too many people in this industry that think they should be breeding horses just because they can. Because they want to have foals, want their children to witness the miracle of birth, to make money, the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, many are producing mediocre stock that is not show quality, pet quality at best, and continue to flood the market. Now, EVERYONE is flooding the market from the back yard breeder who swears they are going to keep the foal to the farms that are producing 60-80 head of foals a year. Both situations need to stop.

I will always stand by this....the control of the market begins with every single one of us who owns a pregnant mare. We are responsible for the quality of the foal that hits the ground and the resulting sale of that foal. If that foal is a stud, and one that you yourself wouldn't use as a breeding animal or wouldn't contribute to the greater good of the breed, then it needs to be gelded. All of my colts are gelded before they are sold IF I deem them not quality enough to reproduce. This doesn't mean I keep the quality ones intact either. I encourage gelding. It's important to our industry and we can create a market for them if we change the mindset of 95% of our buyers. In the big horse world, geldings are more valuable than mares or stallions. Breeders want colts so that they can geld them! It's a huge market.

I was blessed this year with my first colt that I would have left intact (for at least a little while - you can always remove them later). He went Grand Champion at his first show. He has been purchased and I gave the new owner the option of keeping him intact. They decided they wanted him gelded. I think it's a wonderful idea because a great stallion makes an awesome gelding. And an awesome gelding is the best advertisement a farm can have.

If we, as responsible breeders (and we all want to be responsible), remove the influx of intact stallions available on the market we can start to control the supply. Controling the supply will eventually result in controling the value.

 

[GlacierRidge]

I only have two mini horses....and they are both geldings! You can't stop people from giving advice to others.... but I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who want a nice pet, or driving prospect, and don't want to buy the horse with breeding in mind. I don't want another mini right now (although a beautiful 50/50 black and white GELDING would be hard to pass up)... but I'm sure there's other people out there who'd have the same ideas in mind! Now, I'll also say, I bought my geldings cheap. I would have bought a mare too, if the price tag were close to the same at the time.... but not with the intention to breed. I don't show.......I just drive, and love on 'em.

Angie

 

[willowoodstables]

Go to Fugly Horse of The Day to see all the people who didn't buy geldings. Thus creating bad conformation, unwanted (slaughter-bound) and generally fugly horses. Buy geldings...they are the best. Won't have a mare personally (just don't like em )in my barn, and the only studs I had I either sold or gelded.

Asbestos suit on~

Kim

 

[Irish Hills Farm]

I would tell people to just go look at the LB salesboard. How many people are reducing numbers for one reason or another.

I would ask what was that their original intention, was it to get into breeding or was it something to have fun with. IF they want to get into breeding, I would suggest they study up on good conformation, perhaps provide GOOD books and sites for them to study.

I would also tell them that breeding is work, both physically and mentally, and be prepared for both the best and worst of times.

Oh, and tell them about the gelding incentive programs available.

 

[whitney]

I've ALWAYS had a gelding as a backup horse that could do everything but reproduce. They are a USING horse. However for those wanting to breed they are useless. I've always had more girls than boys, to keep my options open. But in my opinion if your looking for a pet or show horse or a jog around the block the best horse is a gelding no hormones to deal with and they are usually level headed.

 

[RockRiverTiff]

I've spoken to several newbies this year, and I told ALL of them to start with a gelding. Half of them inquired about a stallion I had for sale, saying they wanted to get into minis and possibly show, but to me the best horse for that job is a gelding. It's everyone's prerogative to breed if they want to, but I'm certainly not going to recommend that a beginner play trial and error with breeding.

This all goes back to the strange divide between mini mentality and big horse mentality. I guarantee if these people were looking for their first full-sized horse, the vast majority would be looking for a good gelding. It only makes sense to me to use the same logic with our minis. What attracts people to them? Their friendliness and ease of handling--and there's no better ambassador for those traits than a gelding.

I see "naughty mini" ads in our local paper all the time. They're always for an unhandled, untrained stallion that someone thought would make a nice gift for their kids. What irks me is that the person that sold them that mini probably told them the same thing. Is this the image we want to perpetuate? I say Go Geldings! I'll have two of my own next spring--both of which I had offers on intact--and I am psyched.

 

[Marnie]

I love my little mini geldings. I like all neutered male type animals. I just bought a gelding llama and he couldn't be sweeter, just a love bug. My little neutered pot belly pig is sweeter than then the little girl one. The castrated goat boys are darling too, yes sir, I have a high respect for the neutered males of any species and would highly, very highly recommend them to anyone. Oh, yeah, even back when I rode horse alot, grew up on horses, it was the geldings we rode, I'll take the boys any day. (but I do have some real sweet little mares too that are worth their weight in gold)

 

[bingo]

What do you think of people trying to tell others not to buy geldings because they can not produce a foal. They Think that they are not worth much and try and discourage others not to buy them..

I think it shows their lack of experience and knowledge about horses in general. Those who understand the horse world would never say such a thing.

 

[Bunnylady]

Oh, I agree with you, Tiffany! No one in their right mind would suggest a full-size stud colt as a family pet! While there are a lot of very sweet mini studs out there, I feel like an awful lot of them shouldn't be (still intact, that is!) Most of the people that are just dabbling into minis, that are thinking about maybe breeding, someday, don't need to be looking for a breeding stallion right off the bat. They can get their feet wet with a nice, well-behaved gelding, or at worst, a filly, and learn what goes into producing a good-quality animal. If they screw up, at least they won't have raging hormones to deal with!

My mini, Sydney, is a filly. To a lot of people, that makes her more valuable than my mini mule, Betsy. Neither one is registered. The fact that the mule has a better personality and more training seems not to matter, it's that potentially functional uterus that counts! I don't think Syd should be bred, I just don't think her type is good enough (even if she were registered.) If it weren't so gosh-darned expensive, I think it would be a good idea to get mares spayed, too. It would eliminate the "that-time-of-the-month" attitude, and there are some girls that, let's face it, really shouldn't get the chance to pass on their faults to another generation.

 

[HGFarm]

I was always told a good stallion will make a great gelding.

If I were not breeding, a gelding would be fantastic. Since I have two boys though, that I do use for breeding, I just dont have the time and/or room for another- gelded or not!

I highly recommend gelding, and they are very wonderful all around or family horses, or for anyone who just wants to have fun and not worry about all the other stuff!!! So no flaming from here!

I dont see the cheaper prices on geldings or colts as meaning they are just worth less, I see it as an incentive, for those that dont want to pay 'breeding possible' price on a horse, and still want a nice horse to have fun with. I have a fabulous colt at home that I have priced very low, to be sold on a gelding contract, or if they want to pay the vet directly, I will have him done before he even leaves my place and will make sure he is ok before going to his new home. He is a great colt with a fantastic personality and the low price certainly doesnt mean he is worth less, or not a valuable animal at all.

Also, some families that may be supporting a couple of kids or more, perhaps can't afford to pay a huge price for a mare or gelding.... and I see why breeding animals would go for more naturally as you can get more out of them than just poop... when we had the big horses it was the same way and I remember back in the early 70's- you could pick up a gelding for way less than a mare.... but I do think breeding horses should be of good quality, not just any horse that has the 'equipment' to breed. And that is where your good geldings come from!!!!

And noted, for those that discourage folks from buying geldings... SHAME!! Not all people are even interested in breeding at all, so why would you want to deal with anything but a nice gelding? I agree, just shows the ignorance....

 

[ErikaS.]

Not every colt should be a stallion, not every mare should be bred. There are just too many horses already out there with no place to go. Buy geldings, less hormonal, lots of fun.

 

[user 488]

I think it shows their lack of experience and knowledge about horses in general. Those who understand the horse world would never say such a thing.

I totally agree. People are just ignorant and it's truly sad that there are some with that mentality. No real horseman would ever make comments like that about geldings. I just have to blow stuff like that off..........just too ridiculous to even try to deal with.

 

[KMA FARM]

Hello Everyone:

Back on again. I think geldings are the way to go if you have small children that want to show in the ring. Our farm at one time had over 50 horses and one was a gelding. Everyone on the circuit loves him. His name is COH Avant Garde. We was shown the last couple of years by 7 and under and 8 to 12. For two years in a row they come home from Nationals 2007 and 2008 with National Grand Champion and National Reserve Grand Champion. Makes no difference who shows Avant, he is always in the top ten.

I have to admit he does better with woman, and children. So many people we have met think we should have kept him as a stallion. But I always remember, someone told me, it takes a great stallion to make a great gelding. The youth will someday replace all of us that are older and what a learning experience they can have from the start. Fairness, kindness, and good sportmanship should be stressed too. I feel that the AMHR can grow into wonderful, friendly, and the best the United States has to offer.

KMA FARM

Lonna Stramka

 

[macy--red carpet minis]

I absolutely adore a sweet Gelding!!!

I think they are perfect for not only Youth and beginners but also for Trainers. I say that Trainers love them also because not all trainers are BREEDERS. It is refreshing to get a fantastic Gelding, even if they are "predictable and boring." After dealing with highstrung Stallions and moody Mares I think even the trainers appreciate a break when they get to work with a Gelding. And, with that said, not all Geldings are boring! I have worked with Geldings that are just as highstrung as some Stallions... few and far between, but they ARE there. Not everyone who shows also breeds their horses... so, especially for those non-breeders, it would not be any more beneficial to them to show a horse that could have foals.

I love Mares also but, keeping in mind that they can get a little moody, I would suggest a Gelding would ANYONE in the industry. Youths, Adults, Beginners, Experienced... anyone. So I think that they are JUST as valuable as any other horse if they do their job in the ring. Not as breeding stock of course but as a Show Horse, yes I completely think they hold their own just fine in the ring.

Not trying to be rude to anyone who has bad experiences with Geldings.... I understand that EVERY horse is different and some Geldings may not be the sterotypical sweet horses. But, I believe that majority of them are

 

[JWC sr.]

It never ceases to amaze me that people place so little value on geldings.

In all the breeds I have been associated with over the last 40 some odd year of equine experience they have a place as the most steadfast and trustworhty of the three options.

Simply put ask a cowboy what his preference is for a horse to work off of and he will tell you a Gelding 9 out of 10 times. There is a reason for this, they are the same day to day as a horse can be and are great to work and live with.

As far as showing one, if nobody has looked lately you had better get a really good stallion to cut if you want to be competitive in the gelding arena. The saying is that you have to have a good stallion to make a great gelding in whatever disipline you want to work in Halter, driving or performance.

This last year we made the effort to cut all of our stud colts prior to sale, unless we felt they could become world contenders at some point. It cost a little more to do this, but in the long run we fell it is the right thing to do.

Folks hopefully will start to appreciate and identify with the world og the gelding and what they bring to the table of life for themselves and their owners.

 

[IloveMiniatureshorses]

You should let people do what they want to do. It is not the person who is telling people not to buy geldings desicions. It's the buyers. I mean yeah, geldings are worth less, but what if you don't want a mare or stallion? Did anyone think about that?!? They make awesome family pets, and they can be safer. It's the buyers choice, and you can't make them do anything. There are some geldings even I would buy.

So to sum it up: Just let it go. Don't bother people. If you don't want to buy a gelding because they are worth less (NOT WORTHLESS!!!!), then don't. But don't go on telling other people "Hey, that gelding can't do much for you!"

Enough said.

Alyssa

 

[mgranch]

We have never bred miniature horses and never will. In our area I see loads of people breeding sad little low quality minis and they are passed around and have terrible lives. I never wanted any part of it!! We love our horses and we drive and show them and we own three geldings. Why would I have the hassle of a stallion?? Geldings are not just for small children I am a Grandma!!