Geldings Are From Heaven

Anyone that has owned or been around horses knows that stallions and mares are driven by hormones and can be feisty at times. A stallion is an intact mail horse (think male dog that hasn’t been neutered) and usually much more spirited than a gelding (a male horse that has been castrated).  A mare is a female horse of breeding age and can be temperamental during the warmer months when she goes into heat every three weeks or so (think woman with PMS).

Of course not all stallions and mares are a handful and I’ve been around some real sweethearts in both categories, and even a few geldings that have been bonkers. Still, I think my favorite horsey tee-shirt sums it up nicely: “Stallions are From Mars and Mares are from Venus, but Geldings are from Heaven.”

As a general rule, geldings are more even-tempered and less likely to have periods of craziness for no apparent reason. Some geldings are known to still mount a mare occasionally, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Even with that, they don’t usually exhibit the other high-strung tendencies of many stallions.

Notice I said usually.  My first horse, a gelding, was as gentle as they come, but did go after a little mare in heat during one cycle. He chased her around the pasture for hours until I caught him; lathered and appearing several shades darker than normal, I didn’t even realize it was him at first. Kiko had been pastured with that palomino for a year or more, so why the little blonde got his attention that particular time, I’ll never know. He did mount her several times, but since he was gelded he obviously couldn’t breed her successfully.  (You horsey types, I did have him checked and no, he wasn't proud-cut.)

My favorite gelding came into my life several years later, a handsome buckskin quarter horse. I lucked out and found Buck at an auction when a cattle rancher shut down and sold his stock.  Buck had been a working cow horse and could spin on a dime and give you nine cents change.  Since I was a novice rider I never took advantage of all he could do, but being so well trained, Buck was the perfect horse for me.  He was the first choice to carry visiting family and friends, even the kids.  It was a sad day for me when I had to say good-bye due to divorce and relocating.  Here’s Buck, my gorgeous gelding.

Buck at his new home in NC

Leaving MN for NC

My son Paul riding Buck

I miss you, buddy.

I'm taking the A-Z Blogging Challenge, where I will post something from each letter of the alphabet on the corresponding day in April, except for Sunday, on at least one if not all four of my blogs. You can see my other blogs in the sidebar - More of Marie Anne.