Easier to sell - Colts/Geldings or Fillies/Mares?

[JWB]

All other things being equal, what do you think sells better? Do you think it makes a difference once horses are going under saddle? (eg. more foals of one gender are sold, but it’s equal or the other way for young horses under saddle)

We have two foals due from my mare next year (one by embryo transfer) but one will be for me to keep and the other will go to my coach. Just for ease of talking about her foal/my foal, we’ve referred to the one in the recipient mare as her foal and the one in my mare as my foal, however we’ve always been open about her preferences - hers for a colt, mine for a filly, and said we would consider swaping if it was mutually agreeable. My intentions are to keep my foal as my next riding horse, hers are to raise and sell once it’s started under saddle.

Today we fetal sexed the recipient mare’s foal and vet thinks filly (My mare is only 45 days, so still to early to tell) and she said again that she was hoping for a colt, because geldings are easier to sell. What do you think?

[rodawn]

I’ve had no trouble selling either.

[paintjumper]

Different strokes…

I’d rather buy a mare, actually I will ONLY buy a mare. But many folks don’t like the “issues” that come with mares.

[Cindy_s_Warmbloods]

I have heard colt sells easier but probably depends if they buyer is a breeder or a rider. Riders mainly want colts, breeders fillies. I want fillies and will only buy/keep fillies so unfortunately any colts that are born here are sold.

[horsetales]

Colts/geldings here. All of my boys tend to go quick - I only have my 2012 colt for sale, the rest are all mare/fillies

[bits619]

I’m a gelding type person completely, but know just as many people who either prefer mares or have no preference. I’m actually kind of relieved whenever the breeding barns I follow announce another filly, because then i don’t have to worry about obsessing over it and being bummed that i cannot/won’t be buying a weanling! Otherwise, when it’s a colt (ie, future gelding in my world lol) i get a little school girl crush on this unattainable baby horse!

I’m curious about what people think too though. It seems like breeders are happier when it’s a filly, i guess because there is less of a near-future decision to have to make about removing reproductive organs/potential for carrying that line.

eta- i am a rider, not breeder, and I’m not surprised that it would follow as another poster just said.

[Petstorejunkie]

I’m a buyer. Won’t even go look at a mare

[MysticOakRanch]

Colts. Especially in the dressage world. I don’t get it, some of my favorite riding horses are mares!

[Sempiternal]

Buyer. I don’t really have a preference, or at least I didn’t. With that being said, I’ve only ever owned mares and right now I would probably purchase a mare over a gelding. If the mare gets injured and can’t be ridden, well she still has a career as a broodmare.

[horsey1cr]

I’m a dressage rider, trainer, breeder and buyer. I will happily purchase both mares and geldings for the sport, however the mares have to ‘look’ like a show horse - and not a short-necked broodmare. No stallions for me.

[lotc2005]

I’m a buyer and unless the horse is absolutely superb, I will only consider a filly. I have owned both, but for some reason I am much more of a mare person. I have experienced that geldings will give you 85% effort 100% of the time and mares (if you really click with them) will give you 110% effort 95% of the time. When it comes to “marish” issues, I really think that figuring out what kind of program works best for the mare is where many people fall short. I have experienced several mares that cannot deal with the stress of living in a big show barn, but given a more laid back lifestyle (daily turnout, less regimented feeding schedule, quieter home environment, etc.) with the same competition expectations, she is fine.

[Graymaresrule]

In some cases I think it depends on the breed. In a rare breed like Irish Draughts purebred fillies seem to sell quicker

[stolensilver]

Personally as a breeder and as a buyer I prefer mares/fillies. As lotc2005 said, geldings give you 85% every time you ride them. A mare that is your friend will give you 100% for 95% of the time. Once you’ve felt how much a horse can give you, the part of themselves that geldings keep to themselves will drive you mad!

Having said that, as riding horses, I think geldings are still the most popular. The perception is that they are less complicated. There are more beginners in any sport than there are experts so there will be more first time buyers who are nervous and are just looking for “safe and easy” which generally equates to buying a gelding.

[Adagio]

faster

Whatever you are selling the other is going faster
Selling a colt, they want a mare. Want a colt, you are selling a mare
Want a smaller horse you are selling a large horse, they want a larger horse
you are selling a smaller horse.

Timing its all about timing

[camohn]

personally I like mares…but in the big picture for sales…geldings sell easier.

[Rumonek]

These responses are surprising to me. In Arabians colts are nearly impossible to sell- 99% of people want fillies.

[Alliegirl]

[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;6405304]
I don’t get it, some of my favorite riding horses are mares![/QUOTE]

My best riding horses have ALWAYS been mares! They seem to try harder and have more “game” than geldings (however, I do have two geldings I adore… but both were gelded late in life so seem to have those added hormones. I don’t see myself buying a colt/gelding ever again in the future, though).

My favorite mare is in foal and I’m hoping for a filly. If it’s a colt I will most likely rebreed to try and get a filly…

[JWB]

Well I really wanted a filly (I’ve pretty much always had mares, other than my very first horse) but now that I know one is in there, I have my fingers crossed for a colt from the 2nd breeding, though that’s the one I guessed for a filly, based on timing and the fact that the fat mare got put on a diet…

[SCMSL]

There’s an increasing number of riders looking for mares, but only if they have sports ability.

The truth is its much harder to find a good mare for dressage (not just an average one) than a good gelding. And the really good mares get sold for much more than a similar gelding

I think most people are now understanding that if a gelding gets hurt, there’s nothing you can do about it. If a mare gets hurt, you can just breed from her and give her a new career.

I actually have a couple of clients looking for horses for dressage, and most of them have specifically asked for mares.

[noreins]

I’m a rider but I prefer mares because I tend to work with them better, they make me think harder (which I like) and I find their personalities entertaining. Not that geldings can’t match those criteria too, of course. I wouldn’t rule out a gelding but based on my history with both genders, I’d prefer a mare.