Research suggests gender stereotypes may influence how we interpret horse behaviour, with potential consequences for equine training and welfare.
Are mares really less reliable, less predictable or more difficult than geldings, or do human gender stereotypes influence how we perceive and respond to their behaviour?
A 2019 study co-authored by Pony Club Australia Welfare Lead Dr Kate Fenner explored whether people hold different assumptions about horses based on their sex and how those assumptions may influence the horses they consider suitable for particular riders and equestrian activities.
The study, It’s all about the sex, or is it? Humans, horses and temperament, surveyed 1,233 people, most of whom were experienced female riders.
Participants were asked to allocate a hypothetical mare, gelding and stallion to four equally capable riders: a woman, man, girl and boy. They were also asked to choose positive or negative descriptions of mares, geldings and stallions and identify which they considered most suitable for dressage, showjumping and trail riding.
Geldings viewed more positively
The results revealed a clear preference for geldings.
Respondents were more likely to describe geldings as calm, reliable, predictable, trainable and safe. Geldings were also preferred across all three equestrian activities included in the study.
Almost 72 per cent of respondents selected a gelding for trail riding. Mares were the least preferred option for dressage and showjumping.
Gendered assumptions also appeared in the way horses were matched with riders. The girl was considerably more likely to be allocated the gelding than the boy, while the stallion was much more likely to be allocated to the man. Nearly half of respondents did not allocate a horse to the boy, despite participants ranking rider gender as the least important factor in their decisions.
The study did not establish that mares, geldings and stallions actually possess different temperament traits. Rather, it demonstrated that people hold different beliefs and expectations about them.
What does the evidence say about mares?
The researchers noted that studies of mature horses have not identified consistent sex-based differences in learning ability, temperament or training outcomes.
This creates a potential disconnect between what research has found and what riders may expect.
Assumptions about mares are often reflected in everyday equestrian language. Terms such as “mareish”, “bossy”, “moody” or “difficult” can sound harmless, but they may influence how a horse’s behaviour is interpreted and how people respond to it.
Once we expect a mare to be difficult or unpredictable, we may be more likely to interpret her behaviour as confirmation of that belief. Similar behaviour from a gelding may be described or investigated differently.
Why stereotypes can become a welfare issue
The way we interpret behaviour directly influences the way we respond to it.
If unwanted behaviour is attributed to a mare’s sex or personality, other possible explanations may not receive sufficient consideration. These could include pain or physical discomfort, fear, stress, confusion, inappropriate equipment, inconsistent cues, management factors or gaps in training.
Describing a horse as “bossy” may also frame the behaviour as a challenge to human authority. This can lead to punishment or increasingly forceful handling when the horse may actually be experiencing pain, fear or confusion.
Gender-based assumptions may have broader consequences for mares as well. A mare perceived as difficult, unreliable or less suitable for particular activities may be overlooked, passed between homes or subjected to unsuitable training approaches. Her behaviour may be treated as a character flaw rather than useful information about her physical, emotional or training needs.
As the researchers concluded, unfavourable perceptions of mares may, in some cases, compromise their welfare.
Hormones should not be ignored
Looking beyond stereotypes does not mean dismissing the possible influence of hormones or reproductive health.
Some mares experience behavioural or physical changes associated with their reproductive cycle, and any significant or recurring change warrants appropriate investigation. Veterinary assessment may be needed to identify reproductive discomfort or another underlying health problem.
The important distinction is that “she is a mare” is not a diagnosis.
Behaviour should be considered in the context of the individual horse, including when it occurs, what has changed, the horse’s health and management, the rider’s cues and equipment, and the environment in which the behaviour is displayed.
Seeing the individual horse
Every horse brings its own combination of genetics, experiences, health, management, training and temperament to its relationship with people.
Challenging our assumptions does not require us to ignore genuine differences between individual horses. It asks us to avoid deciding what a horse will be like simply because she is a mare, or interpreting everything she does through that expectation.
Good welfare begins with curiosity. When behaviour changes or causes concern, we should ask what the horse may be communicating and investigate the possible causes before applying a label.
By seeing and responding to the individual horse in front of us, we can make fairer and better-informed decisions about training, management, suitability and care.
Read the full study: It’s all about the sex, or is it? Humans, horses and temperament
