Q. What are the general differences in temperament between a filly (mare) and a gelding? Should gender of animal be a determining factor in purchasing a horse?

A. I have always been one to evaluate horses as individuals rather than making sweeping generalizations about groups, but since you asked, I will make a few general comments here.

The only group of horses who I would comfortably identify as *unsuitable* for the average rider are stallions. Unfortunately, some geldings are not as removed from stalliony behavior as one would like. There are ridgelings who look like geldings but who may be retaining one testicle in the abdomen complete with all hormones producing stallion attitude and activity. There are cut-prouds in which the small bulb at the top of the testicles were not removed during gelding, and who may continue to behave like stallions. Then there are geldings who were gelded late in life after a period of breeding service, and who are not likely to completely abandon their stallion behaviors even after gelding. The majority of geldings, however, are not sexually preoccupied and are therefore fairly steady of nature. Of course, there are no generalities to be made about any horse's nature. While one gelding may be quiet, relaxed, and slow, another may be eager, alert, and quick.

Mare behavior is a bit more difficult to anticipate. Some mares become a little challenging to handle around other horses when they come into estrous, while others will maintain a steady behavior and attitude throughout their reproductive cycles.