Differences Between Mares and Geldings

Q: Do mares have behaviors that are specific to them and different from geldings?

 

A: The timing of this question is very interesting considering The Horse just published the results of a poll on preferred sex of horses! I thought the selected comments pointed to some common themes. Geldings evoke feelings of even-tempered dependability while those who favor mares invoke bonding, passion, and a special emotional attachment.

 

If you scour the Internet you'll see the common wisdom is that geldings seem to have a more dependable reputation while mares are expected to have different behaviors and temperament depending upon where they are in their estrous cycle. 

 

Indeed, probably the biggest differences in behavior between mares and gelding are sexual behaviors. Mares are likely to show some signs of estrus, or "heat," over the breeding season. The strength of the behaviors will vary by individual, and they might or might not affect the mare's performance or the rider's perception of performance. Estrus behaviors include frequent squatting and urinating, raised tail, "winking" of the clitoris, squealing, and presenting the hind end to a gelding or stallion.